Hit the Books!
Summer is here, so why not grab a good book and head to the beach, a park, or perhaps that Adirondack chair in your backyard? Get your kids involved in the fun—and help them prepare for the coming school year—by participating in a summer reading program through a local library or bookstore. According to the California Library Association, reading just five books over the summer can prevent summer learning loss. And if you’re heading on a road trip, try an audiobook; after all, June is Audiobook Appreciation Month!
Winston Smith Books
SUMMER READING PROGRAMS
The El Dorado County Library’s Summer Reading Challenge runs from June 1 to August 31. Readers of all ages can sign up at any branch or at eldoradolibrary.beanstack.org. By keeping track of the books they read, participants can win medals, books, book bags, and dozens of grand prizes.
The Folsom Public Library invites readers of all ages to join its Summer Reading Bingo Challenge. Pick up a bingo card at the library or track your progress at folsom.beanstack.org. Kids and teens who read or listen to five books in June and July will earn a book and book bag and be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card. Adults will also earn a book bag and entry into the drawing.
The Roseville Public Library invites reader of all ages to join its “Read, Imagine, Explore” Summer Reading Challenge in June and July. Pick up a reading log at any branch or sign up at roseville.beanstack.org. Complete 10 hours of reading to earn a free book. For each additional 10 hours of reading or for completing other activities, participants will earn tickets for a grand prize drawing.
The Summer Fest program at Placer County Library (branches in Granite Bay, Auburn, and Rocklin) kicks off June 6 and runs through July. This year’s theme, “Find Your Voice,” celebrates art, music, and self-expression. Readers of all ages can track reading, participate in challenges, partake in weekly activities, share reviews, and earn badges and prizes at placer.beanstack.org. At select libraries, kiddos can also watch fun, humor-filled “Wild Things” shows where they'll meet and learn interesting anecdotes about numerous animals.
Face in a Book (getyourfaceinabook.com) dares kids to read with its annual Summer Reading Dare grid, which poses challenges such as “read outside” and “write a book review for the store’s bulletin board.” Kids who cross off 15 squares earn a free book. The store also offers “Friday Freebies,” in which kids can pop by the store for a free advance copy of a book (while supplies last). And both kids and adults are invited to bring in photos of themselves “caught reading” for display in the store.
Ruby’s Books (rubysfolsom.com)encourages school-age kids to explore Folsom this summer. Stop by the store to purchase a copy of Find Your Way Through Folsom by local author Brian Wallace and spend the summer discovering the city’s best-kept secrets. Bring your mostly completed activity book to Ruby’s on August 18 for an ice cream party with Ruby, the store’s namesake golden retriever.
The El Dorado County Library’s Summer Reading Challenge runs from June 1 to August 31. Readers of all ages can sign up at any branch or at eldoradolibrary.beanstack.org. By keeping track of the books they read, participants can win medals, books, book bags, and dozens of grand prizes.
Summer Reading Fest
The Folsom Public Library invites readers of all ages to join its Summer Reading Bingo Challenge. Pick up a bingo card at the library or track your progress at folsom.beanstack.org. Kids and teens who read or listen to five books in June and July will earn a book and book bag and be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card. Adults will also earn a book bag and entry into the drawing.
The Roseville Public Library invites reader of all ages to join its “Read, Imagine, Explore” Summer Reading Challenge in June and July. Pick up a reading log at any branch or sign up at roseville.beanstack.org. Complete 10 hours of reading to earn a free book. For each additional 10 hours of reading or for completing other activities, participants will earn tickets for a grand prize drawing.
Visit the library
The Summer Fest program at Placer County Library (branches in Granite Bay, Auburn, and Rocklin) kicks off June 6 and runs through July. This year’s theme, “Find Your Voice,” celebrates art, music, and self-expression. Readers of all ages can track reading, participate in challenges, partake in weekly activities, share reviews, and earn badges and prizes at placer.beanstack.org. At select libraries, kiddos can also watch fun, humor-filled “Wild Things” shows where they'll meet and learn interesting anecdotes about numerous animals.
At select libraries, kiddos can also watch fun, humor-filled “Wild Things” shows
Face in a Book (getyourfaceinabook.com) dares kids to read with its annual Summer Reading Dare grid, which poses challenges such as “read outside” and “write a book review for the store’s bulletin board.” Kids who cross off 15 squares earn a free book. The store also offers “Friday Freebies,” in which kids can pop by the store for a free advance copy of a book (while supplies last). And both kids and adults are invited to bring in photos of themselves “caught reading” for display in the store.
Ruby’s Books (rubysfolsom.com)encourages school-age kids to explore Folsom this summer. Stop by the store to purchase a copy of Find Your Way Through Folsom by local author Brian Wallace and spend the summer discovering the city’s best-kept secrets. Bring your mostly completed activity book to Ruby’s on August 18 for an ice cream party with Ruby, the store’s namesake golden retriever.
SUMMER READING LIST
Ready to read, but not sure where to begin? Here are some must-read summer books, chosen by local booksellers:Face in a Book
(getyourfaceinabook.com) in El Dorado Hills suggests:
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
The author of Cutting for Stone brings us this much-anticipated novel of love, faith, and medicine set in South India that follows three generations of a family seeking the answers to a strange secret.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
In this laugh-out-loud novel set in the 1960s, a research chemist’s career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a TV cooking show.
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann
A nonfiction story of shipwreck, survival, and savagery by the author of Killers of the Flower Moon.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
The author of Cutting for Stone brings us this much-anticipated novel of love, faith, and medicine set in South India that follows three generations of a family seeking the answers to a strange secret.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
In this laugh-out-loud novel set in the 1960s, a research chemist’s career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a TV cooking show.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann
A nonfiction story of shipwreck, survival, and savagery by the author of Killers of the Flower Moon.
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann
Ruby’s Books
(rubysfolsom.com) in Folsom recommends:
Happy Place by Emily Henry
This romantic comedy is a love letter to chosen family, with many heartwarming moments of tenderness between the characters.
Yearbook by Seth Rogen
This book—comprising snapshots of Rogen’s life, from his start as a teenage stand-up comedian to the behind-the-scenes insanity of controversial film, The Interview—will leave you gasping for breath from laughing so hard.
Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake
A story of love and acceptance that will hit you with all the feels but also make you laugh.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
This romantic comedy is a love letter to chosen family, with many heartwarming moments of tenderness between the characters.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Yearbook by Seth Rogen
This book—comprising snapshots of Rogen’s life, from his start as a teenage stand-up comedian to the behind-the-scenes insanity of controversial film, The Interview—will leave you gasping for breath from laughing so hard.
Yearbook by Seth Rogen
Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake
A story of love and acceptance that will hit you with all the feels but also make you laugh.
Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake
The Bookhouse
(bookhousecp.com) in Cameron Park suggests:
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
This high-fantasy novel is packed with adventure, plot twists, and characters you can root for.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Escape to a whimsical land filled with quirky characters, spirited adventures, and a strong, independent, and intelligent heroine. Recommended for ages 10-14 or younger as a read aloud.
Bluey: The Beach
Everyone’s favorite cattle dog comes across a series of beach day adventures in this book based on the popular TV series. Recommended for ages six and under.
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
This high-fantasy novel is packed with adventure, plot twists, and characters you can root for.
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Escape to a whimsical land filled with quirky characters, spirited adventures, and a strong, independent, and intelligent heroine. Recommended for ages 10-14 or younger as a read aloud.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Bluey: The Beach
Everyone’s favorite cattle dog comes across a series of beach day adventures in this book based on the popular TV series. Recommended for ages six and under.
Bluey: The Beach
Winston Smith Books
(winstonsmithbooks.com) in Auburn, which sells mostly used books, reminds readers not to forget the classics. As novelist Samuel Butler said, “The oldest books are only just out to those who have not read them.”
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
A wise and enchanting fable for readers of all ages.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
One of the most influential works in American literature.
1984 by George Orwell
A cautionary tale capturing readers' attention with its undeniable admonitions.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
A wise and enchanting fable for readers of all ages.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
One of the most influential works in American literature.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
1984 by George Orwell
A cautionary tale capturing readers' attention with its undeniable admonitions.
1984 by George Orwell
by Jennifer Maragoni
Photos courtesy of the Placer County Library. Book images courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.