What We're Reading: June/July 2025Like this list

20 items

• The Big Empty

  Crais, Robert,

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  A social media influencer hires Elvis and Joe to find her father, who disappeared when she was young. If you're a fan of Crais' books, then you will not be disappointed with "The Big Empty"!

• James

  a Novel

  Everett, Percival,

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  Narrated by Jim from "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel explores how a runaway slave survives. Everett weaves humor throughout the adventure for an interesting twist on a familiar story.

• Northern Spy

  Berry, Flynn, 1986-

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  Riveting, atmospheric and exquisitely written, "Northern Spy" is a heart-pounding story of the contemporary IRA, a moving portrait of sister and of motherhood and what it's like living in a deeply divided society of modern Northern Ireland.

• Great Big Beautiful Life

  Henry, Emily,

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  Two journalists have one month to win over their next client, score their dream job and write a biography of a famously reclusive woman. Henry's book is full of unexpected plot twists and endearing characters!

• My Next Breath

  a Memoir

  Renner, Jeremy,

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  It's a miracle he's alive. Run over by his own snowcat, Renner details his recovery journey. A truly amazing story. Audio lovers: Renner narrates the audiobook. 

• She's a Lamb!

  A Novel

  Hambrock, Meredith

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  Jessamyn St. Germain has always known she's a musical theatre star destined for Broadway. So why can't she book anything beyond Canadian yogurt commercials? "She's a Lamb!" shows just how far some are willing to go to realize their dreams — or…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Love, Queenie

  Merle Oberon, Hollywood's First South Asian Star

  Sen, Mayukh,

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  For those interested in Hollywood history, this lively and engaging read provides a portrait of actress Merle Oberon. It's sad and hopeful, complicated and human.

• Stag Dance

  a Novel & Stories

  Peters, Torrey,

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  Ranging from speculative dystopia to horror and boarding school romance, this diverse short story collection explores desire, presentation and self-knowledge. Only got time for one? The titular "Stag Dance" is an American folk tale packed with…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Other Olympians

  Fascism, Queerness, and the Making of Modern Sports

  Waters, Michael, 1997-

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  For you sports fans, Waters profiles athletes from the 1930s who we might now think of as trans or intersex, and the athletic bureaucrats who attempted to legislate them out of women's sports. An immersive and sensitive look at the past and how it…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• This Thing Between Us

  a Novel

  Moreno, Gus, 1985-

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  What starts as a classic techno-horror setup — a haunted Alexa-type device is wreaking havoc — evolves into a story of migration, grief and escape after the death of the narrator's wife. A creative take on classic horror tropes and themes, with…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

  Jonasson, Jonas

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  This international bestseller follows Allan Karlsson, a 100-year-old man who decides to go on one more adventure. This humorous historical fiction is filled with a great cast of characters (including an elephant!) and won't disappoint.

• The City in Glass

  Vo, Nghi,

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  A demon, an angel and the city caught in between. It's "Good Omens" meets "The Invisible Cities" and "This is How You Lose the Time War." Perfect for people who love when architecture and place take center stage.

• Hymns of the Republic

  the Story of the Final Year of the American Civil War

  Gwynne, S. C. (Samuel C.), 1953-

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  An in-depth look at the last year of the American Civil War. Gwynne fleshes out signature characters like General Grant and Clara Barton, intermixes battles and events and examines the election of 1864. Readable, researched and compelling. You'll…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love

  a Novel

  Cronin, Marianne,

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  Cronin's heartwarming, funny and poignant story about love, hope and friendship at all stages of life. Full of satisfying twists and turns, "Eddie Winston is Looking for Love" is bound to bring a smile to your face and a few tears to your eyes.

• Patricia Wants to Cuddle

  a Novel

  Allen, Samantha (Journalist),

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  The contestants of a reality dating show find themselves on a remote resort island off the Washington coast for the season finale, and things go horribly wrong. Ridiculous, funny and surprisingly touching!

• Grave Empire

  Swan, Richard (Fiction writer),

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  Set on a fantasy continent going through an industrial revolution, magick is outlawed but might be the only thing to save the world. Full of elements of political intrigue with hints of horror, gore and steampunk magic. Perfect for "Game of Thrones"…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• In Memoriam

  Winn, Alice (Alice Mary Felicity), 1992-

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  The horrors of World War I from the perspective of 17-year-old British schoolboys, and the ends they will go to help each other survive. Raw and tender.

• Becoming Madam Secretary

  Dray, Stephanie,

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  Frances Perkins spearheaded the creation of Social Security, child labor law restrictions and workers' rights under her tenure as the first female and longest-serving Labor Secretary in FDR's administration. This historical fiction novel unpacks her…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• My Friends

  a Novel

  Backman, Fredrik, 1981-

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  A beautifully written tale of four childhood friends who lift each other up during their darkest days. They encourage dreams of safety, love and discovery, and find ways to extend that care to a different generation.

• The Correspondent

  a Novel

  Evans, Virginia, 1986-

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  The loses, triumphs and friendships of a woman's life unfurl in this delightful story comprised entirely of the letters she writes and receives.