The Islands’ Sounder staff are avid readers and they are offering the following summer book selections.
Cali Bagby’s picks
“A Whale for the Killing” by Farley Mowat tells the story of a fin whale trapped in a lagoon on the southwest coast of Newfoundland. The book is fascinating because Mowat not only captures the plight of the whale, but also delves into the minds of people trying to save, and in some cases, injure the creature. Read this book not only for its wit and wisdom, but to celebrate Mowat who died this spring at the age of 92.
“Robinson Crusoe by” Daniel Defoe. What better way to idle the summer away than to read about the original shipwreck saga? Credited as the beginning of realistic fiction as a literary genre, “Robinson Crusoe” is a window into another age. Published in 1719, the book is an undertaking to read, but it’s a classic that one has to have under their belt to appreciate novels we have today.
Colleen Armstrong’s picks
“11/22/63” by Stephen King. Known for his intense horror books, King is really just a phenomenal storyteller. This novel follows a time traveler who attempts to prevent the assassination of President Kennedy. It won the 2011 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller and the 2012 International Thriller Writers Award for Best Novel. It’s a giant tome filled with extensive research about Lee Harvey Oswald and life in 1950s America. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop.
“Where’d You Go, Bernadette” by Maria Semple. When Bernadette Fox skips town, she leaves her daughter and husband behind. Agoraphobic and brilliant, Bernadette is her own worst enemy. Set in Seattle and featuring a cast of complex, lovable characters, it’s a book about family and a love that can stretch across continents.
“The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt. A master mystery writer, Tartt takes a bit of a departure with her newest novel. Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, survives a bizarre accident in an art museum that kills his mother. Initially he is taken in by a wealthy family, but then his wayward father comes back on the scene and takes him to Las Vegas. Missing his mother desperately, Theo clings to a piece of art that ultimately brings him a world of trouble. The first half of the novel, set in Theo’s youth, is stronger than the second half when he is an adult, but overall it’s a captivating book with Tartt’s signature elegant prose.
Joanna Massey’s picks
“Annihilation” by Jeff VanderMeer. Eleven expeditions have gone to Area X, a quarantined area in the United States. Those who return have died of cancer, committed suicide, or worse. This is the story of the twelfth expedition, narrated by a female biologist. A spooky, Sci-fi, page-turner easily read in a weekend.
“Steelheart” by Brandon Sanderson. Set in a post-apocalyptic United States, an event has caused some people to take on extra powers. The side effect of these powers is corruption, creating a city full of villains. But a rebel group forms to take down their leader, Steelheart. Packed with action, this was a read I was surprised I loved. And can’t wait for its sequel.
“Game of Thrones” by George R.R. Martin. Set in a medieval-style fantasy world, “Game of Thrones” sets the stage for highborn families vying for the throne of Westeros. Despite its 835 pages, the book is filled with action, war strategy, politics and romantic scandal. Whether you’ve already tried the wildly popular HBO series based on the books or not, you won’t be disappointed.
