While I look forward to summer for my many trips to the library and local bookshops in my summer reading efforts, I confess I didn’t read a lot these warm months. But a few books did stand out to me that I’d love to take the time to share with you. Enjoy this eclectic mix, a quick peek into the shelves of my frenzied summer brain.
The books:
The Eyes And The Impossible by Dave Eggers: My first Dave Eggers book and it’s a lively and lovely middle grade novel narrated by a canine. Johannes lives in a park by the sea and serves as a protector-figure for the great behemoths of the land. Explore the animals in this world through the eyes of Johannes and flip through the pages for lush, sporadic illustrations by Shawn Harris. Sweet and verdant story, perfect for summer reading.
Cartwheeling In Thunderstorms by Katherine Rundell: A girl, Wilhelmina, leaves behind her free-sprited life on an African farm for England and boarding school in this warm and semi-melancholic middle grade novel. Reminded me of The Wild Thorberrys Movie, which I adored dearly as a child and even now as an adult.
The Road To San Donato by Robert Cocuzzo: Fathers, sons, bike trips, and Italy? What’s not to love? Ride with Robert Cocuzzo and his father Stephen to the ancient village of San DonatoVal di Comino from Florence to uncover their family heritage. A wonderful memoir that reflects on family and place.
Fifty Beasts To Break Your Heart by GennaRose Nethercott: A fantastic selection of the whimsical and weird. Like any book of short stories, I prefer some stories to others, but overall a unique collection of dark tales. My highlight includes the book’s namesake, an illustrated bestiary of 50 creatures with descriptions ranging from curt to fascinating.
Curveball by Pablo Cartaya: Undoubtedly inspired by the Sandlot, just compare some of the illustrations to the scenes in the movie, this graphic novel is a delight and something my younger-athlete self would love to read.
K: A History Of Baseball In Ten Pitches by Tyler Kepner: An absolute bear of a book, Kepner details ten commonly-used pitches used in professional baseball and regales readers with special MLB moments behind the curveball, fastball, etc. My favorite snippet would have to be the story behind Brad Lidge’s slider that won the Phillies the World Series in 2008, a moment I remember well.