New Books You Might Want to Check Out
For many adults, the phrase “summer reading” may conjure up childhood memories of required reading lists and time spent writing papers on days better suited for swimming. Luckily, summer reading as an adult means having your pick of countless books from countless genres to enjoy on a plane, in the car, on the beach, or anywhere and anytime you get a bit of time to yourself. Read on for some of my recent favorites!
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
by J.D. Vance
It is impossible to place this buzzworthy title into one genre—and that is a good thing. Vance’s harrowing and often touching account of his life growing up in Appalachia is autobiographical, but it is also an insightful sociological analysis of poverty and the struggles of the American working class, particularly in the Appalachian region. This is a very thoughtful, timely and well-written book.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
by Neil deGrasse Tyson
If you enjoyed Carl Sagan’s television series, Cosmos: A Personal Voyage (1980), and/or Neil deGrasse Tyson’s follow-up series, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014), chances are you will love Tyson’s new collection of essays about such topics as the Big Bang and black holes. Tyson’s childlike wonder and sparkling wit come across just as clearly on the page as they do on the screen, and he is a master at explaining complex concepts succinctly and imaginatively.
Theft by Finding: Diaries (1977-2002)
by David Sedaris
With his sardonic wit and predilection for blunt cultural criticism, David Sedaris is a somewhat polarizing author. I, for one, think he is a comedic genius, and I think Theft is his best work yet because it is his most personal. This is Sedaris at his most introspective, self-deprecating, observant and hilarious. I found myself noticing and appreciating life’s little moments and details more after reading this book.
Norse Mythology
by Neil Gaiman
From movies to comic books to action figures, superheroes are a ubiquitous and beloved part of pop culture. As Gaiman’s new retelling of Norse folklore proves, the origin stories of these heroes are just as entertaining and exciting as their modern adventures. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman stays true to the mythology of Odin, Thor and Loki but makes the story his own with his characteristic dark humor, attention to detail and effortless prose.
Behind Her Eyes
by Sarah Pinborough
I will admit that the promise of a shocking twist ending piqued my interest in reading this thriller, but once I began reading it, I discovered that the entire book, in fact, is shocking and twisted. Single mom Louise falls for married man David, but she also becomes best friends with David’s wife Adele, who has some dark secrets of her own. The resulting drama was so unpredictable and addictive that I finished the book in two days!
