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July 2022 Staff Picks

Jul 1, 2022 | Book Lists, News, Staff Picks

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” -– John Lubbock, The Use of Life

Reading a book isn’t either! Try one of our recent favorites from below.

Barb:

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Daunis, who is part Ojibwe, defers attending the University of Michigan to care for her mother and reluctantly becomes involved in the investigation of a series of drug-related deaths.
 
I listened to the young adult audiobook while weeding and couldn’t wait to hear more…I weeded for 3 hours in one yard outing.

Kelly:

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

Kelly Barnhill writes an alternative history of the United States with a fantasy twist. I was fascinated by this story of mothers and daughters set in the second half of the twentieth century. Sure, there are dragons, but this is really a story about women and the challenges they overcome together. 

Jeanine:

The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry that Forged the Medieval World by Shelley Puhak

The Dark Queens by Shelley Puhak  The remarkable, little-known story of two trailblazing women in the Early Middle Ages who wielded immense power, only to be vilified for daring to rule.  This is a non-fiction book but it is written in a very easy to read style, not at all like a testbook.

Stephanie:

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long

Melinda Long’s How I Became a Pirate is a swashbuckling tale of adventure for young Jeremy who longs for independence. Jeremy learns about what it’s like to be a pirate and have time with his mates. Much to his dismay he learns that there is no bedtime, hugs and kisses and above all “Pirates don’t tuck.” What’s a boy to do? Read this story illustrated by David Shannon to find out.

Katie:

I Am Quiet : A Story for the Introvert in All of Us by Andie Powers

Quiet does not mean shy. Strength can be quiet. This beautifully illustrated picture book is a celebration of introverts. 

Emily

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles- Although this novel has a different personality than Towles’ incredibly popular Gentleman in Moscow, Towles does not fail to make a lasting impression once again. This historical fiction centers around the story of Emmett Watson, who was just released from a juvenile work farm, and is now determined to leave his small town in Nebraska for a fresh start in California. What Emmett doesn’t know is that in the same car that drove him back to Nebraska to settle his recently deceased father’s affairs and pick up his little brother two of his friends from the work farm had hidden themselves away in the trunk of the car. These two friends have an altogether different plan for Emmett’s future, a plan that diverts them in the opposite direction, to New York City! Told from multiple viewpoints, this book accentuates Towles’s multi-layered literary styling with rich and colorful characters. These multiple viewpoints are extremely well done in the audiobook version of this novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Sophie:

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub