Summer Reading Suggestions: A List of Hidden Gems Part 2

Posted by Staff

Looking for a great summer read?  Take a look back at some of the staff selections from our Winter Reading Relay.  We chose our favorite hidden gems from our collection - books that are not well known, but deserve to be.  We asked patrons to let us know what they thought of the books.  Over the next few weeks, we're posting some of the favorites here.  We'll also place all of these titles on Pinterest, so jump over there for even more great reading recommendations.

Kick Me: Adventures in Adolescence by Paul Feig.  A memoir of an awkward kid growing up in the '70s and one of the funniest books I've ever read.

Patron review:  I liked the short vignette layout of the book.  Made for easy, short reading sessions.  I did laugh out loud a couple of times; uncomfortably a few times, empathically more often.  This was set in my exact time, and details of the spouses definitely brought back those times.

The Ladies of Missalonghi by Golleen McCullough.  An overlooked, lovely gem by the author of the Thornbirds. A classic love story between two unlikely characters set in pre-WWI Australia.

Patron #1 review: Who started out a mousey, depressed woman who let everyone walk all over her became a bold, upbeat, take charge gal who got the courage to change her life and find happiness. Good for you, Missy! Yea for woman-power!!

Patron #2 review: What a fun read! I loved watching Missy change from a meek little person who lets others walk all over her to a plucky heroine with the determination to make her life better. Moral of the story: the only person who can make your dreams come true is you!

The Radioactive Boyscout by Ken Silverstein.  Its amazing what you can do if you set your mind to it... maybe that's not a good thing!

Patron review:  Wow.  I had not been aware of the young man’s story.  It is amazing.  Perhaps Big Bang Theory’s Dr. Sheldon Cooper is based on David Hahn.

An Unfinished Life by Mark Spragg.  An old rancher is surprised to find his daughter-in-law and granddaughter (who he's never met) arrive unexpectedly, 10 years after his son died.

Patron #1 review:  I knew what this book was by the description because I had seen the movie. But I chose to read it because books are usually better than their film counterparts. This is another of those cases. The best relationships are those between two army pals and that of grandfather and granddaughter. These relationships are enveloped by a gorgeous scenery far away from the hustle and bustle of a large city. This book made me laugh, gasp and cry at the appropriate times. There were even some instances where I cheered! I would recommend this book to anyone!

Patron #2 review: This book was different than what I normally read. It was very enjoyable. I would read this author again! The story was believable and showed the bond between two people that were in a war together . Also, the love of a mother doing something for her daughter that she really didn’t want to do.