
Summer means unwinding outside with a book in one hand and a cool drink in the other. Or, if you’re on the North Shore, it may include a slice of Betty’s Pie and an affogato from Superior Creamery.
On Thursday, host of Ask a Bookseller Emily Bright spoke with local bookstores and libraries about their recommended summer reads.
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Amazing Alonzo Bookstore, Duluth
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"It Wasn't Mean To Be Perfect" by Gaelynn Lea
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"Skinny Dip" by Carl Hiaasen
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"The Summer Book" by Tove Jansson
Though it’s a breezy read, it’s full of twisty mystery and rich in characters from corrupt government agents, greedy and murderous crime bosses, bumbling criminals and a micro-dosing, ex-military, fringe governor character that maybe — maybe not, but probably was —inspired by one of Minnesota’s own former governors. This is the book I most often recommend for a vacation/beach read. — Eric Plumb, owner of Amazing Alonzo Bookstore on “Skinny Dip.”
Back Forty Books, Two Harbors
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"The Verdant Cage" by Jess Lourey
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"This Story Might Save Your Life" by Tiffany Crum
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"Dolly All the Time" by Annabel Monaghan
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"The Book Witch" by Meg Shaffer
A fast-paced book that is part dark thriller, part romcom, and wholly excellent. I can attest for audiobook readers that the vocal cast knocked it out of the park. You want to give this a read/listen ASAP! — Randy and Katie Lancaster, owners of Back Forty Books on “This Story Might Save Your Life.”
Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais
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"Ink Blood Sister Scribe" by Emma Törzs
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"The Road to Tender Hearts" by Annie Hartnett
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"Lady Tremaine" by Rachel Hochhauser
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"God’s Country" by William Kent Krueger
A totally fresh retelling of Cinderella told from the perspective of the stepmother, wonderfully upending all the tropes of the fairytale. All of the characters are fully realized, neither all saint nor all villain. Responsible for her own two daughters as well as her stepdaughter, Lady Tremaine struggles to maintain respectability, looking for future security for herself and the girls, while also keeping actual food on the table in their crumbling mansion. I sympathized with her and shook my head at some of the decisions she made while recognizing her challenging situation. The book races on towards a satisfying conclusion. — Kelly Kager and Kevin Kager, owners of Drury Lane Books on “Lady Tremaine.”
Bookstore at Fitger's, Duluth
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"Liar's Creek" by Matt Goldman
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"The Jilted Countess" by Loretta Ellsworth
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"Beneath a Broken Sky" by Joshua Moehling
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"The Shortest History of the United States" by Don Watson
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"Happy Ending" by Chloe Liese
A captivating historical fiction novel that takes place in the aftermath of WWII in Minnesota. — Jennifer Jubenville, store manager of Bookstore at Fitger’s on “The Jilted Countess.”
Foxes and Fireflies Booksellers, Superior
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"Empire of Shadows" by Jacquelyn Benson
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"All Systems Red" by Martha Wells
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"Immoral" by Brian Freeman
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"The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder" by David Grann
The intersection of The Mummy and Jungle Cruise, this historical whirlwind had me hooked within 50 pages. A breath of delightfully feminist air, Ellie and Adam are the kind of protagonists you can’t help but root for. Hints of magic woven with real history made this series not only enjoyable, but educational. — Maria Lockwood, owner of Foxes and Fireflies Booksellers on “Empire of Shadows.”
Wildflower Bookshop, Grand Rapids
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"Yesteryear" by Caro Claire Burke
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"The Quarry Girls" by Jess Lourey
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"Our Perfect Storm" by Carley Fortune
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"Whistler" by Ann Patchett
A gentle tale about childhood friendship blooming into more that is sure to charm readers. Gorgeous vacation setting with lovable side characters, and witty banter, this is sure to be an amazing summer read. — Abby Daigle, owner of Wildflower Bookshop on “Our Perfect Storm.”
Zenith Bookstore, Duluth
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"Upward Bound" by Woody Brown
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"Honey" by Imani Thompson
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"Look What You Made Me Do" by John Lanchester
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"The Listeners" by Maggie Stiefvater
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"Astronaut!" by Oana Aristide
A female grad student accidentally kills her problematic professor, and instead of panicking… she likes it! Soon she is seeking out other male chauvinist pigs to keep her high going — but how long can it last? How long until her own family secrets come to light? — Sarah Brown, owner of Zenith Bookstore on “Honey.”
Cloquet Public Library
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"It Wasn’t Meant To Be Perfect" by Gaelynn Lea
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"The Dungeon Crawler Carl" series
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"One Summer: America, 1927" by Bill Bryson
This wildly inventive series begins with an outrageous premise: a Coast Guard veteran and his ex-girlfriend’s prize-winning cat are thrust into a deadly alien game show set inside an 18-floor dungeon. As Carl battles to survive, he discovers the importance of community while seeking revenge against the creators of the galactic “World Dungeon” television spectacle. With the eighth of a planned ten books recently released, the series offers action, humor, and a welcome escape from the constant churn of real-world headlines. — Keiko, adult services on “The Dungeon Crawler Carl” series
Duluth Public Library
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"I’m Starting to Worry About this Black Box of Doom" by Jason Pargin
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"Sky Daddy" by Kate Folk
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"The City of Belgium" by Brecht Evens
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"The Carpool Detectives: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case" by Chuck Hogan
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"The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle" by Stuart Turton
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"Mexican Gothic" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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"The Library at Mount Char" by Scott Hawkins
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"Wizard’s First Rule" by Terry Goodkind
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"What No One Tells You About Money: The Real Key of Getting Unstuck from Someone Who’s Been there" by Jade Warshaw
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"House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski
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"Children of Time" by Adrian Tchaikovsky
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"Hide" by Kiersten White
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"Murder by Memory & Nobody’s Baby" by Olivia Waite
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"Becoming Ghost" by Cathy Linh Che
A locked-room mystery where our narrator reincarnates into a different body within our cast of characters and relieves the day of Evelyn Hardcastle’s murder in order to figure out who’s responsible. This genre-bending science fiction mystery is mind boggling in the best way and the reveal will leave you thinking about it long after you’ve finished. Perfect for a day when it’s too hot to do anything else. — Emily, fiction librarian on “The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.”
Duluth MPR office picks
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"Emperor of Gladness" by Ocean Vuong
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"Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere" by by Maria Bamford
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"Crux" by Gabriel Tallent
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"When We Were Vikings" by David MacDonald
“Emperor of Gladness” is one of those novels whose characters and story remain vividly alive long after the final page. It was easy to visualize the characters, and I was deeply moved by the empathy and tenderness shown toward ordinary people simply living their lives. Long after finishing the book, I continue to think about these characters and what they represent — the resilience, struggles, and quiet grace found in everyday life. — Maria, MPR regional director




