Immersing yourself in a good book—whether by the pool or under a shady tree—is the perfect hot weather hobby. It’s relaxing, increases empathy, and boosts your brainpower; plus, it’s cheaper than an airline ticket! Whether you’re into inspirational biographies or scintillating who-dunnits, there’s a book to satisfy every whim. Keep reading for recommended reads (courtesy of area bookstore owners and librarians)—and remember to #ShopLocal.

What’s your all-time favorite book?
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. This children’s classic is a gentle story about the universal themes of friendship, love, and life itself. Although the book was written many years ago, the timeless message of being kind to our friends and loved ones still resonates soundly today.

 

Which author do you consider a must-read?
Kids at the library are enjoying anything by Rick Riordan, author of the popular Percy Jackson series. His adventure stories feature mythology from different cultures and countries.

What book would you recommend for summer reading?
The 2021 John Newbery Medal winner When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller would be a great read for summer. When Lily, her sister Sam, and their mother move in with her sick grandmother, Lily traps a tiger and makes a deal with him to heal her. Magical elements and a diverse cast of characters make this book a winner.

What’s your all-time favorite book?
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is timeless. Even though it was released in 1960, it still addresses issues that are relevant today, such as race relations, single parenthood, mental illness, and the justice system.

Which author do you consider a must-read?
I love Tana French’s writing! She’s so adept at the psychological thriller while also creating vivid characters that stick with you long after you’ve finished her books.

 

What book would you recommend for summer reading?
The Phonebooth at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina is a story about loss and grief, yet it never feels overly “heavy.” It’s full of hope, love, and new beginnings, which are all things we desperately need right now.

What’s your all-time favorite book?
Becoming by Michelle Obama. Our former first lady’s candid and humble story is beautifully written with her true emotions coming through in every anecdote. It’s uplifting, telling, and often laugh-out-loud funny.

Which author do you consider a must-read?
An author that I try to push on nearly everyone is Fredrik Backman. The Swedish novelist’s stories are character-driven and amazingly relatable. The way he weaves his stories allows you to take them as light reading or dig a little deeper to think about relationships and human nature. I especially recommend A Man Called Ove and Anxious People.

 

What book would you recommend for summer reading?
No matter what your summer plans are, make sure you take some time to read The Bad Muslim Discount. Sacramento author, Syed Masood, is hilarious! His story of several Muslims growing up throughout the world and then immigrating to San Francisco touches on faith, family, and assimilation. Masood’s deep insights are masked in a hard-to-put-down story that’ll make you feel all the feels!

What’s your all-time favorite book?
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. I love the mystery of it all and how circumstances and people aren’t always what they seem. It truly transports you into the story as you go on the journey with Pip, the young orphan, as he works to achieve the “great expectations” he’s set for himself. You won’t feel the same about any of the characters by the end.

What author do you consider a must-read?
Jane Austin! Who doesn’t love a romantic, feel-good story?

 

What book would you recommend for summer reading?
The Honeymooner by Melanie Summers. It’s a light, fun, non-stressful read about a woman who gets dumped on her wedding day but goes on the honeymoon anyway.

What’s your all-time favorite book?
I keep returning to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, despite some terribly problematic language and representation in the book. I’ve enjoyed revisiting Gatsby from a social-historical perspective through books like So We Read On by Maureen Corrigan and Careless People by Sarah Churchwell. This year, the book entered the public domain, and I’m very excited to read some of the modern retellings of the story, especially The Chosen and Beautiful by Nghi Vo, which reimagines the character of Jordan Baker as queer, Asian, and able to use magic! I’m very intrigued.

What author do you consider a must-read?
For me, Donna Tartt is a must-read author. She only publishes a novel every 10 years or so and, in my opinion, they’re always worth the wait.

 

What book would you recommend for summer reading?
I enjoyed The Ladies of the Secret Circus by Constance Sayers. Its spooky and mysterious but also light and fun to read, which is what most people seem to want in a summer read. However, I’m planning to binge on a series of Scandinavian crime novels—Helen Tursten’s Detective Inspector Huss—this summer. Tursten was recommended to me as a “female Jo Nesbo,” so I’m anticipating some first-class grit and gore in them.

Ruby’s Books offers a Junior Book Club where local author Lisa Schmid, along with the book-of-the-month’s author, gather virtually with readers ages 8-12 on the last day of the month at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit rubysfolsom.com/junior-book-club or follow them on social media @rubysfolsom.

Face in a Book hosts a Classics Book Club that meets on the third Monday of each month to to enjoy discussions about noteworthy literature in myriad styles and genres. Visit getyourfaceinabook.com/classics-book-club for more info.

*Folsom Public Library
•    Book Club meets every third Thursday of the month from 1-2 p.m.
•    We Read YA Book Club meets every fourth Wednesday from 4-5 p.m.
•    Teen Book Club (ages 13-18) meets every second Friday of the month from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
•    For friends wanting to read together, the library offers Book Clubs in a Bag, which can be checked out and come complete with a book for each member and accompanying discussion questions.

For more information, visit library.folsom.ca.us. *As of press time, all book clubs were currently meeting virtually.

*Lincoln Public Library
•    Mystery Book Club meets every first Monday of the month at 11:30 a.m.
•    Award-Winning Book Club meets every third Monday of the month at 11:30 a.m.
•    BYOB Book Club meets the last Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit lincolnca.gov/city-hall/departments-divisions/library. *As of press time, all book clubs were currently meeting virtually.

El Dorado County Library hosts a Teen Book Club that’s open to students in grades 6-12. Meetings are on Zoom every third Thursday at 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit eldoradolibrary.org/kids-and-teens/teens and click on “Programs.”

All book clubs at Roseville Public Libraries are currently on hold, but once they resume, offerings include Club Maidu (focused on fiction), Mystery Book Club, and Page Turners. Free to join; ages 18+. Visit roseville.ca.us/government/departments/library for updates.