Anna Marie R. on The Five by Hallie Rubenhold: If you’re looking for gory true crime murder details this is not your book. Instead, you get a well thought-out history of how Jack the Ripper’s “Five” confirmed victims ended up being where they were when they were killed. Fascinating insights into Victorian mores and a real picture of these women, generally branded “prostitutes,” who had amazing stories. A reminder that no one is worthless.
Shawna P. on Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters: Want a romance with plenty of humorous, disastrous meet-cutes? Would Like to Meet includes all of that. I loved reading this novel. Evie is so clumsy and forgetful that she is the main character that you would yell at your TV to get her act together. I love Ben and his little girl Anette, the photography and school play scenes were my favorite! And this is the perfect beach/pool read because I read it in two sittings. So fast, and wonderful.
Himani S. on Long Bright River by Liz Moore: Philadelphia, the heroin epidemic of America, the blue code of silence among police officers. These are the threads that run through this fun, quick summer read.
Laura M. on Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix: A unique and modern horror story set in a big box furniture showroom that’s not QUITE like the blue and yellow Swedish one you know. Not for kids, this tale occurs during an overnight shift where Amy and her coworkers realize the consequences of a seance in a store built over the site of a notoriously cruel penitentiary. It will have you looking for your hex wrench to find a way out!
Amy Y. on Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel: This is a beautiful novel. It seems maybe a little masochistic reading this in COVID-19 days, but while it alludes to the worst horrors of a pandemic and post-apocalyptic life, this book does not delight in cruelty and focuses more on hopefulness than horror. If anything, living in our current times makes the characters longing for a previous era more poignant. This is a story about the connections we make as humans, about the fragility and resiliency of humanity, about the small things and moments that really matter in the end.
Thank you to everyone who participated in Adult Summer Challenge 2020!