Did you know July is the most popular month to take a summer vacation? It’s also a good time to catch up on your personal reading while you lounge on a deck chair, relax under a beach umbrella taking in the ocean waves, or rest on the front porch and let the world go by.
Somewhere there is a list, or maybe a growing pile of books you just can’t wait to dive into. If you are looking for something more that will grab your interest, we went to the source for some recommendations: The Hatch Learning Commons at Bay Path University. Here’s a listing of something for everyone, including audiobooks!
Fiction/Nonfiction pairing:
Influenza: The Hundred-Year Hunt to Cure the Deadliest Diseases by Dr. Jeremy Brown
Pandemic by Robin Cook
Humans have been battling diseases for centuries, but the recent resurgence of measles, mumps and even cholera, among others, in both developed and developing countries has shown that eradication is an ongoing challenge.
Nonfiction pairing:
Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist by Eli Saslow
The Guarded Gate: Bigotry, Eugenics and the Law That Kept Two Generations of Jews, Italians, and Other European Immigrants Out of America by Daniel Okrent
Derek Black grew up in a family steeped in white nationalism—his father was the founder of Stormfront, the largest racist community on the Internet, and his godfather was David Duke of the KKK. This book chronicles his journey from his far right heritage to his new perspective on America. Conversely, Daniel Okrent, a Pioneer Valley writer, examines the history and policies of immigration that are part of our nation’s cultural fabric.
Nonfiction:
The Challenge Culture: Why the Most Successful Organizations Run on Pushback by Nigel Travis
The executive chairman and former CEO of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins reflects on the unique, results-oriented discipline he's developed over decades of leadership, which provides a blueprint for any organization to achieve prosperity.
Fiction:
Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird
A work of historical fiction based on the true story of Cathy Williams, who was born into slavery and after the Civil War disguised herself as a man and joined the Buffalo Soldiers.
A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
A particularly timely novel in the light of the recent wave of legislation severely restricting a woman's right to choose.
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield, author of the bestselling The Thirteenth Tale
“A beguiling tale, full of twists and turns like the river at its heart, and just as rich and intriguing.” —M.L. Stedman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Light Between Oceans
Hearts of the Missing by Carol Potenza
The 2017 Tony Hillerman Prize for the Best First Mystery set in the Southwest
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
An instant #1 New York Times bestseller in January 2019, one review states: "Hendricks and Pekkanen are at the top of their game...You won't see the final twist coming." —People Magazine
The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker
An ordinary town is transformed by a mysterious illness that triggers perpetual sleep in this mesmerizing novel from the bestselling author of The Age of Miracles.
She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge (mystery/detective fiction)
“This enjoyably chilling suspense tale conveys both the thrills and the dangers of being a teenager on the brink of adult independence.”—The New York Times Book Review
Audiobooks
My Squirrel Days by Ellie Kemper
From the star of The Unbreakable Kimmie Schmidt and The Office.
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton
“An ambitious, compelling historical mystery with a fabulous cast of characters…Kate Morton at her very best.” —Kristin Hannah
Almost Everything: Notes on Hope by Anne Lamott
The author shares wisdom on truth and paradox in this comforting book of reflections inspired by the current social and political climate.
A special thank you to Miriam Neiman, Access Services Librarian from Hatch Learning Commons who compiled this list. Many of these books/audiobooks are available at Hatch or your local library.
