Summer Reading Reviews Part 2

Updated September 6, 2023
Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium Scotch Plains Public Library
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Bad luck and trouble : a Jack Reacher novel
Child, Lee.
Paper Book
From a helicopter high above the empty California desert, a man is sent free-falling into the night…. In Chicago, a woman learns that an elite team of ex–army investigators is being hunted down one by one.... And on the streets of Portland, Jack Reacher—soldier, cop, hero—is...

5 STARS

Reacher uses his brains & brawn along with some of his former elite team to thwart a terrorist plot. Hard to believe how he overcomes near impossible odds.

Bomb : the race to build and steal the world's most dangerous weapon
Sheinkin, Steve.
Paper Book
New York Times bestselling author Steve Sheinkin presents the fascinating and frightening true story of the creation behind the most destructive force that caused the arms race and the Cold War ★ A Newbery Honor book ★ A National Book...

While written for young adults, read this with my kids, it is an engaging, well researched, well written account of the creation of the atomic bomb. Given all the hype around the Oppenheimer biopic in theaters this summer, which was not age appropriate for my kids, this gave them some insight into what everyone was talking about. A good read for the whole family which lead to some very good discussions around war, weapons, ethics and power.

-Erika D.

Born round : the secret history of a full-time eater
Bruni, Frank.
Paper Book
The New York Times restaurant critic's heartbreaking and hilarious account of how he learned to love food just enough Frank Bruni was born round. Round as in stout, chubby, and always hungry. His relationship with eating was difficult and his struggle with it began early....

5 STARS

The NYTIMES food critic and columnist tells the touching and turbulent story of growing up in a stereotypical Italian family, where food is the focus. With a doting Grandmother and a mother who loved cooking for their family, Bruni succumbs to the pleasures of eating and the devastating aftermath of unhealthy weight gain. The book combines humor and the tragedy of trying to overcome his calorie filled background. He suffers from the horrors of bulimia, extreme fasting and exercise beyond moderate. We travel along with him, identifying with the extra portions of sumptuous cheese lasagna and creamy gelato. While Bruni will always be a foodie, he learns how to control the richness of his life with the richness of the food he consumes, in a profession where eating is the goal. All of us who do constant battle with the extra ten pounds and begin very Monday with the promise to begin the week with sensible eating, Bruni's adventure gives hope that our table will always be attended with pleasure and no residual love handles, a guilty reminder of overindulgence. Bon Appetit. The recipes and menus in the book will leave you hungry for more.

-Edie S.

A dog's purpose
Cameron, W. Bruce
Paper Book
A Dog's Purpose--the #1 New York Times bestseller and major motion picture--is a perfect gift to introduce dog lovers to this wonderful series. Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog's Purpose, from director Lasse...

5 STARS

This book is a must-read. So wholesome with focus on themes of love and purpose. I cried several times reading this because I can relate to growing up with a dog but I think anyone would enjoy this book.

-Sandra C.

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5 STARS

I was in a reading slump and was falling behind on my reading goal for the year. I was recommended to read this book since I was a dog lover. It was definitely right up my alley and was my favorite book I've read in quite a while! It was hard trying not to cry while reading this book on the plane!

-Sean K.

It's not summer without you : a summer novel
Han, Jenny.
Paper Book
Now a blockbuster original series on Prime Video! Will Belly choose Jeremiah or Conrad? Belly finds out what comes after falling in love in this follow-up to The Summer I Turned Pretty from the New York Times bestselling author of To All the Boys I've Loved...

4 STARS

-Abby P.

No time to wave goodbye : a novel
Mitchard, Jacquelyn.
Paper Book
New York Timesbestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard captured the heart of a nation withThe Deep End of the Ocean, her celebrated debut novel about mother Beth Cappadora, a child kidnapped, a family in crisis. Now, inNo Time to Wave Goodbye, the unforgettable Cappadoras are in...

4 STARS

This is a follow up to Mitchard's best selling novel The Deep End of the Ocean, The Cappadora children are adults. Ben/Sam is now married with a baby. Ben was the child who was kidnapped in the earlier book. Vincent, the brother is now a film maker and makes a documentary about missing children. The book takes from there. All the main characters return and some new characters are added too. If you enjoyed the first book, you will enjoy this one. It did take a while to pick but when it did, it was interesting.

Shelter
Coben, Harlan
Paper Book
A young adult debut from internationally bestselling author Harlan Coben Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools. A new...

5 STARS

Kept me rapt by slowly inserting an occasional clue to the solving of the mystery. Great mixture of action, danger & humor. Wanted to read before watching on Netflix to see how closely it follows the book.

The summer I turned pretty
Han, Jenny.
Paper Book
Now a blockbuster original series on Prime Video! Will Belly choose Jeremiah or Conrad? Belly has an unforgettable summer in this stunning start to the Summer I Turned Pretty series from the New York Times bestselling author of To All the Boys I've Loved Before...

4 STARS

-Abby P.

To all the boys I've loved before
Han, Jenny.
Paper Book
To All the Boys I've Loved Before is now a major motion picture on Netflix and the inspiration for the spin-off series XO, Kitty--now streaming on Netflix! A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021) Lara Jean's love life gets complicated in this...

4 STARS

-Abby P.


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