More daylight means more time for picnics, bike rides, strolls in the park and books on the go. For the ideal summer outing, opt for quick reads that fly by in the sunshine.
From gripping tales of magic and heartbreak to laugh-out-loud nonfiction, these books will be over before you know it — though they’ll linger like a warm afternoon.
“Poets Square: A Memoir in Thirty Cats“ by Courtney Gustafson. This tender, moving memoir will lure you in as surely as tuna lures a stray cat.
Gustafson moved into a rental house in Tucson, Ariz., that came with 30 stray cats. She couldn’t ignore their need for care, and began posting about the exuberantly named cats — Mushroom Risotto, anyone? Her account, Poets Square Cats, went viral, both because the internet loves cats and because of Gustafson’s deep, abiding love for building community in uncertain times.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll need to read your favorite parts out loud to your family, friends and pets.
“Witchcraft for Wayward Girls” by Grady Hendrix. Want a fast-paced read? Try horror! Author Hendrix crafts unputdownable stories that stick with you long after you’ve torn through the pages.
A group of pregnant teens in 1970s Florida is trapped in a home for “wayward girls,” their every movement controlled with no opportunity for choice or agency. When a bookmobile librarian gives them a book on witchcraft, they find that the spells work, and they finally have power. While magic is at play, the true horrors come from the girls’ experiences of pregnancy and trauma.
The heart of this book is the girls themselves — brave, resourceful and vibrant.
“Say You’ll Remember Me” by Abby Jimenez. Grumpy veterinarian Xavier Rush and sunny Samantha Diaz meet over a tiny kitten in need. After a once-in-a-lifetime perfect date, Samantha admits she’s moving across the country for her family, and nothing further can happen. Neither of them can stop thinking about the other, though, and love blooms long distance.
This romance is sharply funny with well-drawn characters and an empathetic core; a wonderful choice for a lazy summer afternoon!
“The River Has Roots” by Amal El-Mohtar. At 144 pages, this slim volume is packed with magic, folklore and the enduring power of love.
Sisters Esther and Ysabel Hawthorn tend the magical willows on the edge of the land of Faerie, singing to them to thank them for their magic. Inseparable as children, the sisters are now grown and find themselves drawn apart by love and magic. Two insistent suitors are courting Esther — and her choice will have devastating consequences.
Dubbed “a murder ballad in book form,” you won’t be able to put this one down.
“Quietly Hostile: Essays” by Samantha Irby. Essay collections are the tapas of the literary world, letting you nibble here and sample there as the mood takes you.
Author Irby excels at the personal and relatable, sharing stories that cover everything from chronic illness and family struggles to the greatest Dave Matthews songs. The empathy she brings to the awkward parts of life will touch your heart, even while you’re wheezing with laughter.
This is her fourth essay collection, so if you love this one, you’re all set for the summer.
“The God of the Woods“ by Liz Moore. Thrillers are a top choice for a quick read — the pacing and plot of a good thriller will propel you through any page count.
This atmospheric thriller from author Moore ticks all of the right boxes — a summer camp setting, generational family drama, unsolved disappearances and a green police detective in search of the truth. Moore layers many perspectives and rich details into an intricately woven narrative. Bonus — the Adirondack Mountains setting will have you longing for the Cascades or the Olympics.
Once you breeze through this list, keep the quick reads coming! Get a list of book recommendations from library staff based on your likes, dislikes and mood. Plus, pack even lighter for summer adventures with e-books and digital audiobooks you can read on your device.
