In the book world, June signals the beginning of “beach reads.” What makes a book a beach read? Simply put, it is engaging and not heavy in either weight or complexity, thus making it perfect to bring on vacation. Many are discovered in the airport; others are discovered at yard sales or nestled in wee free libraries.
This past week, I began exploring our titles to start a summer reading list for our seasonal visitors. When days are overcast or rain showers send you indoors, some books just fit. The usual cast of authors to keep you company are Emily Henry, Elin Hilderbrand, and Maine mystery writers Sarah Graves, Katherine Hall Page, Lea Wait, and Leslie Meier, along with Paul Doiron and Matt Cost.
Our readers’ warm-weather choices may surprise you. “Becoming Madam Secretary,” by Stephanie Bray, and “The Women,” by Kristin Hannah, are hands-down the most discussed and checked-out titles. The first of these historical novels brings you into the personal world of Frances Perkins, U.S. secretary of labor from 1933-1945. I think Perkins’ ties to Newcastle make this popular for our community. Hannah’s latest, on the women who served in Vietnam, has been recommended across Harpswell, from the line at the post office to Bailey Island’s Mingo Club and, most recently, outside Gurnet Trading Co. Well written, it explores the life of an Army nurse upon her return from service.
Gaining in popularity are portrayals of women whose lives were defined by dedication. “The Lioness of Boston” by Emily Franklin is a character portrait of Isabella Stewart Gardner, whose dedication was to the collection and sharing of art. Marie Benedict has a series about such women, from J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian to Clementine Churchill. These historical fiction accounts have accompanied many of our traveling patrons since hitting our shelves.
If you like novels set in World War II, “The Kitchen Front” may be for you. The novel finds four women competing in a cooking contest in England with the aim to create wonderful meals despite wartime food rationing. The author, Jennifer Ryan, also penned “The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir” and her latest release, “The Underground Library.”
On my pile of lighter reads, I found these to be well worth turning off my streaming services. “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders,” by Jesse Q. Sutanto, made me smile as I followed this amateur detective while she found a murderer and a community. Another series being read is “The Thursday Murder Club,” by Richard Osman, in which a group of English retirees are as entertaining as the mysteries they investigate. Of course tea and pastries are part of the process.
Last week a volunteer recommended Helene Tursten’s “An Elderly Lady” stories. She told us the collections were little books but wonderful reads. When they arrived, I broke into a grin because they certainly were little, as in short stories, but also the books are 4 inches by 6 inches! These little mysteries made me laugh and will fit right into any bag as you head out this summer.
For some readers, the summer is a time to return to past favorites. These books often are sought after with questions such as: “Do you have the book about a lady who was sick so she watched a snail?” “Do you have this book? My friend said it is about an island in Maine where …”
“I’m looking for the book about two old ladies, something about a land trust in Maine …”
“Mom gave me a book about an inn and there was a mystery. There were lots of recipes too.”
Yes, we have those books and many more, so if you want to know the titles, authors or the book order for the series, please come in and see us. If not, we have many more beach reads to accompany you this month.
On a final list of books to consider this season, I am enjoying several nonfiction titles. They are not biographies, nor are they scientific texts. Rather, they bring to light events from the past and the people affected by them. “Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919” recounts Boston’s North End flood and how it forever changed regulations in America. Molasses was used for more than baked beans and desserts!
Another book circulating around Maine’s libraries is “The Ride of Her Life,” Elizabeth Letts’ account of Minot, Maine’s own Annie Wilkins’ ride from Maine to California in the 1950s, fulfilling her dying wish to see the Pacific Ocean. Along the way she meets Art Linkletter and Groucho Marx, and even has a marriage proposal.
Summer is on its way. Soon we will be filling our backpacks with sandwiches, snacks and towels. As you do, remember to grab a book. You can read it on the way, or in the evening as you sit in your chair, reflecting on another great day on the coast of Maine.
“Library Connections” is a monthly column that rotates among the three libraries that serve Harpswell: Cundy’s Harbor, Orr’s Island and Curtis Memorial. Heather Logan is the director of Cundy’s Harbor Library.
