General Summer Reading List 2009

Fiction

About a Boy Hornby, Nick

Will Lightman's hip and single life takes an abrupt turn when a fatherless 13-year-old boy shows up on the doorstep of his London flat.

Back Bay William Martin

This novel follows six generations of the Pratt family pursue a lost Paul Revere treasure. Set in 19^th and 20^th century Boston, this historic novel is a gripping page-turner.

Bel Canto Patchett, Ann

Somewhere in South America, a birthday celebration for a Japanese businessman turns into a nightmare when terrorists take all of the guests hostage. A world-famous opera singer and her music transform the situation.

The Blue Star Early, Tony

In the sequel to Jim The Boy, Jim is a senior in high school in rural North Carolina in the summer of 1941. Love and war intersect in the life of Jim Glass in this highly acclaimed novel.

Caucasia Senna, Danzy

A biracial family with 2 daughters moves between black militants and white suburbanites exploring the complicated legacies of race.

Crooked McNeil, Tom and Laura

Clara's parents seem to be splitting up, Amos' father is ill, the town bullies have mastered the juvenile justice system, and one of them becomes fixated on Clara.

The Curious Incident of the Dog

In the Night Time Haddon, Mark

As an autistic boy searches for the murderer of the dog next door, he uncovers deeply buried family secrets and discovers his own gifts in the process.

Fault Line Tashjian, Janet

Becky dreams of becoming a stand-up comic, and when Kip, already a rising star in the San Franciso comedy scene comes into her life, she is thrilled. But there is a dark side to Kip. The author explores relationship abuse from the point of view of both the victim and the perpetrator.

Geography Club Hartinger, Brent

Navigating the turbulent waters of high School is tough enough, but for gay students, revealing one's true self can mean social suicide. Fortunately a determined group of kids form the "Geography Club" and create a space where they can be themselves.

The Ginseng Hunter Jeff Talarigo

A Chinese ginseng hunter, living on the edge of the Yalu River, quietly and respectfully goes about gathering his roots, oblivious the changing scene on the North Korean side of the river. This moving story gives human face to political oppression.

Girl with a Pearl Earring Chevalier, Tracy

Griet, a young maid in Dutch painter Vermeer's household, develops a fascination for the master and his work that is reciprocated and nearly leads to disaster.

Middlesex Jeffrey Eugenides

A novel about a female child growing up in suburban Detroit who slowly finds out he's not actually a girl. This is a riveting saga spanning generations and continents, and a realistic, original and emotional coming-of-age story.

My Father had a Daughter Tiffany, Grace

William Shakespeare's neglected daughter runs away to London to sabotage his latest play. She disguises herself and joins the Globe Players only to discover that her father's life as a playwright is more complicated than she ever imagined.

My Sister's Keeper Jodi Picoult

Kate Fitzgerald has a rare form of leukemia. Her sister, Anna, was conceived to provide a donor match for procedures that become increasingly invasive. At 13, Anna hires a lawyer so that she can sue her parents for the right to make her own decisions about how her body is used when a kidney transplant is planned. This page-turner explores relationships between family members facing heart-breaking challenges and dilemmas.

My Year of Meats Ozecki, Ruth

Bizarre things happen when a quirky documentary filmmaker sets out to film ideal American housewives preparing wholesome, meat-centered meals to sell the idea that "beef is best" to Japanese housewives.

A Northern Light Donnelly, Jennifer

In 1910, Mattie, a gifted writer, earns a full scholarship to Barnard and a chance to escape her upstate New York home. When a young woman's drowning becomes a homicide, Mattie's plans are put on hold as she weighs family obligations, first love, and desire to become a writer.

The Passion of Artemisia Vreeland, Susan

Women in 17^th century Rome and Florence were not expected to be painters, but Artemisia Gentileschi is driven by her fervor and talent to overcome all obstacles.

Poisonwood Bible Kingsolver, Barbara (or others by this author)

Nathan, a Baptist missionary, arrives in the about-to-erupt Belgian Congo with his wife and four daughters. Culture shock, over-confidence, and unawareness of the political climate lead to more than they bargained for.

Pompeii Harris, Robert

Just days before Mt. Vesuvius erupts, a young engineer is dispatched from Rome to see why the aqueduct is failing. While solving the problem, Marcus falls in love, meets Admiral Pliny, and finds himself in the middle of a political scandal.

The Secret Life of Bees Kidd, Sue Monk

The only mother 13-year-old Lily has ever known is her black housekeeper, Rosaleen. When Rosaleen insults a white man, the two escape to Tiberon, North Carolina and to the home of three sister bee-keepers. Here Lily learns about love and trust from these strong black women.

Skylark Farm Antonia Arslan

The novel vividly tells the terrible story of the extermination of the Armenians in 1915 through a family history, recounting the hopes of a brother living in Venice to re-unite with his Turkish relatives at the idyllic family home, Skylark Farm. Suspenseful and powerful, the story conjures up the events with great mastery.

Someone Like You Beck, Timothy James

At the Mall of the Universe, you can buy anything, and four friends have gathered to talk about what they need most.

Suite Français Irene Nemírovsky

Two novellas, the first of which brings to life the panicked exodus from Paris at the impending fall of Paris to the Nazi's in World War II. The second revolves around the complicated relationships that develop between the French and their German occupiers, especially an impossible romance between a married French woman and a cultured German officer.

Those Who Save Us Blum, Jenna

This novel is a story of a mother, a daughter, and the wartime secrets of a mother who did what she needed to do in order to survive with her child. The novel moves back and forth from Nazi Germany in the late 30’s and ’40, to present day rural Minnesota.

When Elephants Dance Holthe, Tess Uriza

Papa explains the war like this: "When elephants dance, the chickens must be careful." So begins this novel, part history, part supernatural tale, part love story.

Zorro Allende, Isabel

A re-telling of the adventures of Diego de la Vega, born to an aristocratic Spanish father and a Shoshone mother. Diego's crisis of identity and love for an unattainable woman make captivating reading.

Science Fiction/Fantasy

The Glass Harmonica Marley Louise

The ethereal music of the glass harmonica mysteriously intertwines the lives of two unique heroines – one living in Benjamin Franklin's 18^th century household, and the other living in 21^st century Seattle.

To Say Nothing of the Dog Willis, Connie

A wild and funny excursion to rebuild Coventry Cathedral through time, space, and the course of history.

Snow in August Hamill, Pete

An Irish kid in Brooklyn and a Rabbi who survived the Holocaust join forces against the destructive violence of bigotry. In doing so, they make a miracle.

Starfish Watts, Peter

The continental power grid that lies at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean has been handed over to a group of humans altered for deep ocean living and who have become borderline psychos. What will happen when they realize how powerful they really are?

Mystery

Act of Treason Vince Flynn

Conspiracy and intrigue behind a political assassination is the focus of this CIA thriller. Mitch Rapp, a “get the job done” agent, investigates this crime in the mode of Jack Bauer of 24.

Atticus Hansen, Ron

Atticus Cody, a rancher in Colorado, hears that his son has committed suicide. When he travels to Mexico to recover the body, he suspects murder. The intensity of a father's love for his son is the core of this mystery.

Disordered Minds Walters, Minette (or others by this author)

A 1970's murder is re-investigated when the person convicted of the crime commits suicide. The unlikely pair of an anthropologist and a London Councillor probe a possible miscarriage of justice, uncovering prejudice and abuse. A tale of psychological suspense.

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon King, Stephen

A plucky nine-year-old hiking with her family steps off the Appalachian Trail for a moment and becomes lost. Being alone in the woods at night is terrifying. Her only reprieve is listening to the Red Sox on her walkman, and "connecting with" her favorite relief pitcher, Tom Gordon.

The Lighthouse P.D. James

The serenity of a small island off Cornwall is shattered when a distinguished guest is found hanging from the lighthouse, apparently murdered. It's a job to be handled with the utmost discretion- a job for Adam Dalgliesh.

Innocence Hosp, David

A Boston lawyer finds himself defending an illegal El Salvador immigrant with gang ties. The man has served 15 years for murder, but evidence emerges that might prove him innocent if his lawyer can reopen the case, and stay alive. This well written legal thriller is authored by an attorney and native Bostonian who captures the city well, and tells a compelling story.

Missing Witness Gordon Campbell

A mystery and courtroom thriller filled with fun twists and turns that keep the reader guessing throughout.

Paranoia Joseph Finder

An exciting page-turner about corporate espionage and blackmail. A young, bright financial whiz cuts a corner in order to do a good deed, but to protect himself, finds himself deeper and deeper in trouble.

The Sinister Pig Hillerman, Tony

Sgt. Jim Chee of the Navaho tribal police has just been informed of a corpse found at the Jicarilla Apache gas field and the FBI is insisting that it take over the case.

Through a Glass Darkly Leon, Donna (or others by this author)

A family owned glass factory just off the Italian coast near Venice may have contributed through its toxic chemicals to a child's birth defects. A Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery.

Across Cultures

Pobby and Dingan (Australia) Rice, Ben

The setting is a gritty opal-mining town. It is an enchanting tale about the power of familial love and of believing in the unseen and unbelievable

Me talk Pretty One day Sedaris, David

In laugh-out-loud essays, Sedaris recounts his early speech therapy sessions to correct a lisp and moves on to his attempts to explain American culture in French to the French.

Persepolis: the story of a

childhood Satrapi, Maryam

Told as a graphic novel, it is the story of a young Iranian girl growing up first in a relatively free society, then in a more oppressive one. Her politically involved family sees its share of horrors during the revolution.

Nonfiction

The Botany of Desire:

A Plant's eye view of the world Pollan, Michael

Memoir, history and botany combine to tell the story of four domesticated plants and their relationship to human life.

Brunelleschi's Dome King, Ross

The dome of Santa Maria del Fiore is an architectural marvel today, and in the 14^th century, its engineering was astonishing. The fascinating account of the 28-year building project is filled with details of the men and women involved.

Driving Mr. Albert Paterniti, Michael

A fascinating look at the 1955 autopsy that led to endless rumors, a poem, a documentary, and a cross-country trip. Come along on the ride with the eccentric doctor who performed the autopsy and with the Tupperware containers in the trunk!

Fast Food Nation: the dark side of

the all-American meal Schlosser, Eric

What's in that burger? Schlosser tells us in no uncertain terms what we are eating, and what it is doing to our bodies.

The Hungry Ocean Greenlaw, Linda

The only female swordfish captain tells her story of a life at sea.

In the Heart of the Sea Philbrick, Nathanial

This is the true story of the whale ship Essex destroyed by a sperm whale in 1820. The 19-member crew, stranded in the middle of the Pacific struggle with storms, burning sun, starvation, dehydration, and cannibalism.

Lost in Mongolia: rafting the

world's last unchallenged river Angus, Colin

Who would expect help from Russian mobsters in the remotest corner of Siberia? Three crazy guys would as they raft their way down the 5,500 km Yenisey River.

Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America Ehrenreich, Barbara

Ehrenreich takes a job at minimum wage to find out how it is possible to live the way millions of Americans must.

The Professor and the Madman Winchester, Simon

How could anyone have written the Oxford English Dictionary? It took the devoted professor James Murray and Dr. William Minor, a surgeon who was incarcerated in an English asylum and who contributed most of the quotations to manage it. This is the story of their friendship.

Three Cups of Tea Greg Mortenson

Lost and half-frozen, a mountain climber stumbles into a Himalayan village and is restored to health by its inhabitants. Grateful to his hosts, Mortenson vows to return to build a school for the girls of the village, eventually bringing education to fifty Pakistani villages.

A Walk in the Woods: rediscovering

America on the Appalachaian Trail Bryson, Bill

A hilarious trip from one end to the other of the Appalachian trail with two unprepared and out-of-shape adventurers.

Memoir

All Souls Macdonald, Robert Patrick

In "Southie," poverty, drugs, and a shadowy gangster world are real threats. MacDonald's mini-skirted, accordian-playing mother does her inadequate best with her family of ten.

Catfish and Mandela Pham, Andrew X.

Son of Vietnamese immigrants, Pham returns to his native land, traveling by bicycle through the country he barely remembers to help him answer the question: is he Vietnamese or American?

Colors of the Mountain Chen, Da

China's Cultural Revolution could have defeated Da Chen. His irrepressible and courageous spirit enables him not only to survive, but to triumph over the ruthlessness of the Revolution.

Funny in Farsi Dumas Firoozih

When Firoozeh was fourteen years old, her family moved from Iran to California. Talk about culture shock!

Look Me in the Eye; My Life with Asperger's John Elder Robison

This is Robison's memoir of a life with a puzzling inability to make friends, but as a genius with pyrotechnics, electronics and math. Told with great humor and warmth, it is a clear-eyed picture of what it's like to grow up with Asperger's Syndrome.

Project Girl McDonald, Janet

The author grew up in a public housing project in NYC, the middle child of seven. Her determination enables her to graduate from Vassar and later earn advanced degrees in journalism and law. Despite her ability, much of her life revolves around the violence, drug abuse and poverty of her childhood.

Revenge: a story of hope Blumenfeld, Laura

Blumenfeld's searches for the man who shot her father, and her meditations upon and mastery of revenge have a particular force in our post-9/11 world.

Rocket Boys Hickam, Homer H.

Against overwhelming odds and little knowledge of rocket science, Hickam and his high school buddies win the National Science Award for rocketry

Sports

Blades of Glory Rosengren, John

The story of hockey in Minnesota through the portrait of the Jefferson High School Jaguars. Ranked first among high school teams, the story reveals the "truth and beauty" of the game.

The Education of a Coach Halberstam, David

The biography of Bill Belichek, the Patriots coach and 3-time winner of the superbowl.

Every Second Counts Armstrong, Lance

Good Enough to Dream Kahn, Roger

Kahn buys a near-bankrupt, low-level minor league baseball team and spends a year with "major league rejects" who play their hearts out for an organization that pays peanuts. A funny, poignant story that captures a love for the game.

Playing for keeps: Michael Jordan

And the world he made Halberstam, David

A look at what made Jordan the undisputed king of the court during his incredible career in the NBA.

The Punch Feinstein, John

In December 1977. L.A. Lakers' Kermit Washington decked Houston Rockets' Rudy Tomjanovich, nearly ending his life. Journalist Feinstein investigates that instant through interviews with the key players.

The Red Rose crew: a true story

of women, winning and water Boyne, Daniel J.

The biography of the first championship women's rowing team - their challenges, heartbreak, and determination.

Red Sox Rule: Terry Francona and Boston's Rise to Dominance Michael Holley

The story of manager Terry Francona and the Red Sox of the 21^st century, this engaging biography is a great behind-the-scenes look at the Red Sox and it’s skipper.

Seabiscuit Hillenbrand, Laura

During the great depression of the 1930's, a novice horse owner, an antisocial cowboy trainer, a half-blind too-tall jockey and an ornery, undersized racehorse combined to make a champion.

Sacred Hoops Jackson, Phil

An inside look at the wisdom of teamwork by the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Jackson directs his players to respect the enemy and be aggressive without anger. He teaches them to stay calm, in-the-moment, and act with a clear mind. Not just for athletes, but for anyone interested in the human spirit.

Too Far Lupica, Mike

This thriller/mystery tells of a high school basketball team whose potential championship season is clouded by the murder of its team manager and rumors sadistic hazing.

Wait Till Next Year Goodwin, Doris Kearns

The prize-winning historian writes about her magical childhood growing up in Brooklyn during the reign of the Dodger's great players Jackie Robinson, Peewee Reese, and Roy Campanella

Science and Mathematics

1,2,3 …infinity Garnow, George

Bully for Brontosaurus Gould, Stephen Jay (or others by this author)

Collection of essays which first appeared in Natural History magazine. The chapters range from ideas about the creation of earth to evolution, to the understanding of nature and are meant to include a wide audience.

Checkers Marsden, John

A rich Australian girl's life falls apart and ends up in a hospital psych ward. As she tries to remember the series of events leading to her breakdown, the mystery and horror of it is gradually revealed.

The Chip Reid, T.R.

The inventors of the microchip were largely obscured by the fame of the device they created. The success of the two independent inventors led to patent fights, lots of money, and trade disputes with Japan.

The Devil's Flu Davies, Pete

An account of the deadly flu of 1918, its effect on the world at war, and the scientists who spent their lives pursuing a cure for this deadly disease.

The Elegant Universe Brian Greene

Finding Darwin’s God Kenneth Miller

Flatland: a Romance in Many

Directions Abbott, Edwin A.

A mathematical adventure in a two-dimensional world. The memoir of A. Square, it is populated by geometrical figures that think, speak and feel.

Joy of Pi Blattner, David

This is an intriguing little gem that explores the many facets of pi, including memory devices to help memorize pi to hundreds of places. There are pi-inspired cartoons, poems, and jokes to foster new affection for the funny little symbol.

Life in the Treetops Lowman, Margaret D.

If you love exotic animals and hair-raising stories, you will find both in this true account of nature-watching in New Guinea.

Men of Mathematics Bell, Eric Temple

The author humanizes math and the people and history behind it

The Omnivore’s Dilemma:

A Natural History of Four Meals Michael Pollan

The Selfish Gene Richard Dawkins

Uncle Tungsten: memories of a

Chemical boyhood Sacks, Oliver

A child in wartime England, Sacks recalls the "stinks and bangs" of his chemistry experiments and the wonderful tutelage of his family, including his adored Uncle Tungsten.

Note: We indebted to the Cooperative Library Association for many of the recommendations and annotations for these books.