LIBRARY CORNER | 07/23/21

The Summer Reading Club continues through the end of July. Be sure to turn in your reading “record”. Preschool Story Time plans to take a break in August, so be here Tuesday, July 27, at 11 a.m. Ms. Natalie’s Story Time will be back in September. Also, remember to bring your little ones to the Outdoor Explorium from 9-11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

This month has flown and the new August Library Reads List is already here. First on their list is If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy. “Low on job prospects, fashion school grad, Cindy, moves in with her stepmom, a reality show producer. When a spot opens up in the Bachelor-style series, Cindy seizes the chance to get nationwide exposure for her designs. The last thing she expects is to find love. This is a Cinderella-inspired romance with a plus-sized heroine and a multicultural cast. Fans of Red, White, & Royal Blue, The Hating Game and Dumplin’ will like this one.” (8-3) Eva Thompson

Dark Roads is the new book by Chevy Stevens. “Stevens often writes about the outdoors, but this one is really steeped in survival. Vanishing travelers and serial murders along a wilderness highway bring the sister of one victim to town for a memorial. There are the requisite face-paced thrills, and a small town packed with secrets and fear. This one’s for fans of The River and A Gathering of Secrets.” (8-3) Cari Dubiel

Lucy Parker’s latest is Battle Royal. “Sylvie and Dominic met during a baking competition when her unicorn cake kicked him in the face. Now, they’re both in the running to bake the royal wedding cake. This is a slow burn, enemies-to- lovers romance with witty banter and fantastic secondary characters. This is for fans of 99 Percent Mine and The Ex Talk.” (8-17) Laura Eckert

I’m a sucker for a book title that includes the word “library.” That brings us to The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson. “June is stuck. After her mom dies, she continues to live quietly in her mother’s house and work in the library where her mother worked. When the library is threatened, she finds a new purpose, saving it and finding so much more. This one is full of heart, humor, and love of literature and is for fans of The Authenticity Project and How to Find Love in a Bookshop.” (8-31) Shan Suarez

Mrs. March is by Virginia Feito. “Mrs. March has a lovely apartment, a famous author husband, and a life of luxury. Her husband’s new novel features an unlikeable, sordid woman. Mrs. March is horrified when people assume the character is based on her. Her stability fractures, and the reader is caught between paranoia and reality. This is an excellent character study for fans of Tangerine and The Other Typist.” (8-10)

In My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones, “Jade’s convinced her passion for slasher films is not obsession, but preparation. When strange things start occurring in town, she’s sure a massacre is imminent—and she’s ready to play her role to perfection. This is a highly stylized delight for horror movie buffs and fans of The Final Girl Support Group.” (8-31) Sharon Layburn

I’m looking forward to The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams. “A list of recommended classics helps a widower spark a friendship with a teen librarian dealing with overwhelming family issues. An uplifting tearjerker about libraries and books that touch our soul, this one’s for fans of Ellie and the Harpmaker and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.”

It’s hot out there. It’s cool in here. Visit us in the library. Happy reading!

Helen Thompson, Director – Mount Pleasant Public Library