For adults
By Heidi Lewis
Interlibrary loan coordinator and collection development, San Juan Island Library
“Circling the Sun” by Paula McLain
Fly with Beryl Markham. This new historical fiction features a gutsy woman, aviation, horses and Kenya. If this book leaves you wanting to learn more about Markham’s remarkable life, follow up with her biography “West of the Night.”
“Etta and Otto and Russell and James” by Emma Hooper
Walk across Canada. This quiet and thoughtful novel explores relationships, loss, and, desires as Etta walks across Canada to see the ocean because she never has. Her journey is full of love and the book is charmingly magical.
“Lanterne Rouge: The Last Man in the Tour de France” by Max Leonard
Bike in the Tour de France. This true account of the last place finishers of the Tour de France takes a fresh look at what makes a person a winner and will have you rooting for the underdog. There have been and always will be many more “losers” than winners of any race, but there is much to be said for completing cycling’s most famous race.
“Picnic in Provence: A Memoir with Recipe”s by Elizabeth Bard
Eat in Provence. American expat Bard has married a Frenchman and moved from Paris to a small town in Provence. As her family grows and becomes involved in the local community, she makes her way by cooking the foods of the region and the reader travels for free.
“Watchmaker of Filigree Street”by Natasha Pulley
Travel to Victorian London. Combining historical fiction, steampunk adventure, a detective story, and fantasy, this novel examines a period of great technological change amidst fears of bombing attacks from Irish terrorists. The watchmaker is named Mori and not only can he see into the future, but can change the course of history.
For children
By Melina Lagios
Youth services coordinator, San Juan Island Library
“The Big Blue Thing on the Hill” by Yuval Zommer
Ages: three to six, preschool and kindergarten
This is a new, charming picture book for preschoolers and any adult who has ever owned a classic VW Van or Camper. The forest animals discuss, devise plans, and eventually decide to move the Thing, all to the delight of readers.
“Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach (My First I Can Read)” by James Dean
Ages: five to eight, lower elementary grades
“Pete the Cat” fans will love this book designed for early readers. It’s chock-full of summer fun activities as Pete visits the beach. He tries surfing, making sandcastles, collecting shells, and eating ice cream.
“Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer” by Kelly Jones
Ages: nine-13, upper elementary grades
For poultry lovers and non-poultry lovers alike, this magical chapter book tells the story of Sophie Brown, a city girl by birth who is new to rural life and the unpredictable ways of supernatural chickens.
“The Penderwicks at Point Mouette” by Jeanne Birdsall
Ages: 10-13, upper elementary
The lively Penderwick sisters vacation in Maine for the summer with their aunt. What is supposed to be an easy, lazy time turns into a series of small catastrophes that are challenging and potentially life-changing.
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul” by Jeff Kinney
Ages: 10-15
As if surviving middle school isn’t hard enough. Now Greg Heffley, AKA the Wimpy Kid, and his family hit the road for a classic road trip vacation and some quality togetherness time in this ninth, hilarious installment of the series.
