Summer Reads
Relaxation and Reading...
What’s better than a long lazy day with a great book? Summer and reading go together! Get started with these picks from Capital Area District Libraries, all available in multiple formats. You can also find this list published on Lansing State Journal's website.
African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, a Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan by Thomas Lockley and Geoffrey Girard
An informative and action-packed biography of a mythologized 16th Century warrior who went from slave to revered warrior
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
A thoughtful romance between an autistic man who doesn’t think he can fall in love and a young single mother looking for the best for her family, from the author of The Kiss Quotient
The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith
A series starter that’s a laugh out loud and moving take on Scandinavian Noir, from the author of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
Exhalation: Stories by Ted Chiang
A highly anticipated science fiction short story collection from the author whose work was adapted to make the movie Arrival
Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep
An account of Harper Lee’s research into a bizarre set of murders in Alabama in the 1970s, looking at the crimes, Lee, and the book that was never published
The Guest Book by Sarah Blake
A fascinating family drama from the author of The Postmistress, in which decisions made in the 1930s reverberate through the next generations
Light From Other Stars by Erika Swyler
A strange and lovely novel that looks at relationships between people and in time, with a narrative that’s split between Nedda’s childhood starting the day before the Challenger explosion in 1986, and a near future when she’s an astronaut
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly
Real events during the Russian Revolution and World War I, in this prequel to the bestselling Lilac Girls
Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
A fun and refreshingly hopeful romance debut featuring the US’s First Son and England's “Spare” Prince who have never gotten along, until an incident at a royal wedding leaves them doing damage control together
The River by Peter Heller
A heart-pounding adventure as college buddies on a 10-day canoe trip find themselves trying to outrun a wild fire and more
Find these titles and many more at cadl.org/catalog. For more summer fun, sign up for our free Summer Reading program and earn prizes as you read! Details at cadl.org/summer.
Jessica T., CADL Collection Development Specialist