Ten Good Summer Books.
By Karen and Erica
summertime is reading time. These books will keep your attention even as you laze by the pool or the ocean.
Empress of the Nile, Lynne Olsen. We love Lynne Olsen’s history books, and this one is fabulous. She tells the story of Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt, a French archeologist who, among other amazing feats, was involved in the moving of Abu Simbel, before the building of the Aswan High Dam flooded the Nile Valley, and the bringing of the Temple of Dendur to the Metropolitan Museum. Desroches-Noblecourt was a remarkable woman. Olsen tells her brilliant story with verve and empathy.
The Night Travelers, Armando Lucas Correa. A riveting tale of four generations of women, each with their own challenges.
Pineapple Street, Jenny Jackson. You probably do not live in Brooklyn Heights, and after you read this you may not want to. But you will be entertained by the drama of privileged lives, and by dialogue that reflects perfectly the local dialect.
A Symphony of Secrets, Brendan Slocumb. Stolen music and secret romance. Perfect for summer.
The Night Singer, Johanna Mo. Crime, daughters and fathers, set in Sweden. As one commenter put it, a quiet, tragic mystery.
Hang The Moon, Jeannette Walls. An indomitable young woman during Prohibition. A fascinating novel set in rural Virginia in a time that has been portrayed as glamorous but seems scary to us, forecasting the restriction of rights today. Next up—Last Call, Daniel Okrent. Okrent’s books are amazing, and this one, apparently a source for Hang the Moon, is the history of Prohibition.
The Little Lark Still Sings, Victoria Smith. Have you ever dreamed about renovating an old stone Tuscan farmhouse? With your beloved? Smith actually did so. It’s not as relaxing as you might hope—but the results are worth it. Bonus: Ms. Smith will be interviewed about her adventure on an upcoming Lustre broadcast!
The Institution, Stephen King. Boy vs. Bad Guys. King is a really good writer, and his books can be very very scary. This one sure is. Sci fi scary.
Rogue Justice, Stacey Abrams. Abrams’ first thriller, While Justice Sleeps, was riveting, and so is this one, starring the same protagonist. Not exactly realistic, but based on real issues. We wish it seemed more unlikely, but it sure is fun.
Time’s Undoing, Cheryl A. Head. A young Black woman investigates her great-grandfather’s murder in the South. Inspired by a true story, the novel is written with insight and warmth.
