There’s too much stuff in your house.
Too much stuff leads to frustration. Frustration leads to cleaning. Cleaning leads to finding (more) stuff you forgot you had… like the bookstore gift certificate you got seven months ago.
Uh oh.
So now what? You’ve read all the Buzz Books – so what get with that new-found gift certificate treasure? Read on for some great ideas….
FICTION
Could you survive in the wilderness? That’s a question that’s asked of a college sophomore after a plane crash in “Girl, Underwater” by Claire Kells. Life is good for nineteen-year-old Avery Delacorte but on her way home from school, the plane she’s on crashes and she’s one of a handful of survivors. So is an irritating fellow member of her swim team… Pair it up with “Stella Rose” by Tammy Flanders Hetrick, a book about a woman who tries to raise a teenager after the girl’s mother has died. She barely knows the girl… but how much did she really know about the teen’s mother?
If you’re still in need of a beach read, look for “Soil” by Jamie Kornegay, the story of a scientist who tries to live off the grid and instead dies. When his corpse shows up on a farm, well, read the book and find out… When you’re done with it, try “Aquarium” by David Vann, the story of how a friendship between a lonely little girl and an old man who meet because of their love for the fish at a local aquarium. Hint: what happens is not anything that’s good….
Oh, how I love a good old-fashioned western. If you do, too, then look for “Epitaph: A Novel of the O.K. Corral” by Mary Doria Russell. It’s the story of that one day in Tombstone, and its aftermath. Well-researched, it reads like a novel but feels like a history book.
GENERAL NON-FICTION
The news has been filled all year long with extreme weather stories but “What Stands in a Storm” by Kim Cross tells the story of one for the record books. It was April 27, four years ago, when Alabama was hit. And hit. And hit. This isn’t a book for the faint of heart, but weather fans will want to read it. You’ll also want to read “The Mercy of the Sky” by Holly Bailey, the story of the tiny town of Moore, Oklahoma, and the tornado that ripped through it just over two years ago.
Summertime is a great time to read, but if you feel as though you can’t find even a few minutes for a book, then peek at these. First: “100 Things You Will Never Find” by Daniel Smith is a book about lost treasure, lost cities, and lost artifacts. Start it, and you’ll lose track of time. Also look for “Knowledge is Beautiful” by David McCandless, a fun book of graphs and facts on pages made perfect for browsing. Then, find “Lonely Planet’s Instant Expert” by Nigel Holmes, and learn to do tricks and gain skills to wow neighbors, kids, and your friends. Round off your reading with “Between You and Me” by Mary Norris, a book about words, language, and punctuation (or irritating lack thereof).
So you love music. You take it with you wherever you go, so why not read “Beale Street Dynasty” by Preston Lauterbach, a story of Memphis, a rich man who got his money in a surprising way, and the people he influenced who, in turn, changed the nation.
With so many rumors circulating about religion, what’s the truth? In “The Handy Islam Answer Book” by John Rendard, PhD, you’ll find the answers to the things you wonder: history, legal matters, and basic beliefs, all at your fingertips. Also in this series, “The Handy Nutrition Answer Book” by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E. Svarney will answer your “What should I eat?” conundrums.
If a move is in your plans at all in the future, then “RightSize… Right Now!” by Regina Leeds is exactly what you need. In 8 weeks, says Leeds, you can de-clutter, pack, and move in an organized fashion without stress – and that goes for any relocation, from home to home or cubicle to corner office.
If you’re spending the summer single and hating it, then look for “Getting Back Out There” by Susan J. Elliott. This is a book about love, but it’s different: this one helps you do the homework first, so you’re truly ready to dip your toes into the dating pool again. Then, you’ll get help making sure true love lasts. And, just in case (because you might need it eventually), look for “Five-Minute Relationship Repair” by Susan Campbell, PhD and John Grey, PhD – because that little lover’s spat should lead to a lover’s chat. Oh, and try this one, too: “30 Lessons for Loving” by Karl Pillemer, PhD. It’s a book filled with advice from folks who’ve been happily married for years and years and years.
Here’s a book that every citizen may want to read: “400 Things Cops Know” by Adam Plantinga. It’s a book filled with stories, advice, and anecdotes told by a veteran patrolman who isn’t afraid to lay it on the line, but who also entertains while he informs. There’s useful advice here, things you didn’t know, and things you’ll be glad you know now. See if you don’t like reading “The Handy Military History Answer Book” by Samuel Willard Crompton afterward. It’s a book that will fill in the blanks for anything you don’t already know about our armed forces and that of other countries.
Anyone who’s binge-watched Amish Mafia this year will want to read “Renegade Amish” by Donald B. Kraybill. This book – part true crime, part peek into Amish culture – is also perfect for fans of the legal process. Another true crime book you might want to try is “Death by Cannibal” by Peter Davidson. Just don’t take it to the lunchroom with you.
So you’ve read a book that everybody’s raved over… and now you want to know the truth from another angle. In “The Wild Truth,” author Carine McCandless picks up where Jon Krakauer left off in the story of one young man in the Alaska wilderness. McCandless is the subject’s sister. And there’s your truth.
How does your garden grow? There’s no contrariness to “The Triumph of Seeds” by Thor Hanson, a book about how the lowly seed moved into just about every corner or our lives and changed the world.
So you have a cool new cabin to vacation in this year. But did you ever wonder about the quirks of your new abode? In “Atoms Under the Floorboards: the Surprising Science Hidden in Your Home” by Chris Woodford, you’ll learn things like why you can’t see light, how going underground in the winter is a good thing, and why a bicycle is such a lovely piece of machinery.
Speaking of your home, shouldn’t it be a sanctuary? Of course it should, which is why you need “Elements of Style: Designing a Home & A Life” by Erin Gates. This beautifully illustrated book will help you create a gorgeous home, with advice on color, furniture, linens, walls, flooring, and accessories. Think: SPA and then pair it up with “At Home with Madame Chic” by Jennifer L. Scott, a book about living well, stylishly.
Want to learn something new and interesting this summer while keeping your brain flexible? Grab “Numericon: A Journey Through the Hidden Lives of Numbers” by Marianne Freiberger & Rachel Thomas. This lively trivia-type book is perfect for people who love to play with numbers and those who want to know more about how they work. Yes, there’s math in here. Are you surprised? And if you need another book to challenge your brain with math, look for “Finding Zero” by Amir D. Aczel, who is a mathematician. Will you like it? If you’re into numbers, you can count on that.
For the person who wonders what’s Out There, “Secret History: Conspiracies from Ancient Aliens to the New World Order” by Nick Redfern offers plenty of food for thought. Who really killed Martin Luther King, Jr.? Who – or what – is mutilating cattle, right in the middle of fields? These and other keep-you-up-at-night things can be found here…
If you’re reading this guide, then you’re undoubtedly a fan of the printed page. In “BiblioTECH” by John Palfrey, you’ll learn why, in this age of information-any-time, we must work hard to preserve our libraries.
Has your child spent most of the summer inside with a game of some sort? Then you both need “How to Raise a Wild Child” by Scott D. Sampson. This book will teach you and your child how to explore nature, the outdoors, wildlife, plant life, and more, and how you’ll learn to crave it. Pair it up with binoculars and a magnifying glass…
HISTORY
You may remember the big things you learned in History Class, but what about the behind-the-curtain things that few knew? In “A Grizzly in the Mail and Other Adventures in American History” by Tim Grove, you’ll learn a few. What’s the deal, for instance, about the cotton gin? How did a mule figure into American history? Read on and learn. Pair it up with “The Handy American History Answer Book” by David L. Hudson, Jr., JD, a Q&A book that puts to rest all those things that make you say, “Hmmmmm….”
If you’re a Civil War buff, you can probably rattle off all kinds of dates and battles – but what about the behind-the-scenes people who had a hand in the War? Learn about them in “Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy” by Karen Abbott. This book tells the story of four women who went undercover on behalf of the Blue or the Grey: what they gave up to do it, and what happened when they did. And speaking of influential women and the American spotlight, “Whatever You Choose to Be” by Ann Romney might be a great book for you to find. It’s quick – it doesn’t have many pages, but it does have plenty of advice.
History doesn’t have to be dry. Case in point: “Playboy on Stage” by Patty Farmer with Barbara Van Orden, contributions by Will Friedwald. This is a history of the Playboy clubs, from start to the closing of the very last one, not 30 years ago. In between, you’ll read about the people who performed for customers, and memories of those who worked there.
There’s an election coming up, just in case you hadn’t noticed, and “The Fat Boy with the Bomb and 200 More of the World’s Craziest Politicians” by Brian O’Connell, pictures by Norm Chung will make you want to laugh it off. Best part: it’s not just our politicians that get skewered; the whole world gets equal opportunity! For another look at politics, the White House, and the presidency, from the POV of someone who was there, look for “And the Good News Is…” by former presidential press secretary, current Fox News contributor, and host of The Five, Dana Perino.
BIOGRAPHY / MEMOIR
If you’re a fan of old-time Hollywood, then you’ll love “Hope” by Richard Zoglin, a huge and sweeping account of the life of comedian Bob Hope. Are there secrets in here? Was the Road to Zanzibar a long one? Pair it up with “In the Company of Legends” by Joan Kramer and David Heeley, a compilation of profiles featuring some of the screens biggest stars of yesterday. Bonus: PICTURES!
Admit it: there’s always been a part of you that’s wanted to run away and join the circus. Katie Hickman did, and in “Travels with a Mexican Circus,” she explains how she ended up traveling with and performing beneath the Big Top in a most unlikely place.
Basketball fans, it won’t be long before your season returns. In the meantime, look for “Not a Game: The Incredible Rise and Unthinkable Fall of Allen Iverson” by Kent Babb. It’s an all-around look at a player – his childhood, his past, his rise and fall – that fans seem to either love or hate, but I think you’ll love this book.
MEDICAL AND HEALTH
What’s in your noggin? A pretty remarkable organ, that’s what, and in “The Brain’s Way of Healing” by Norman Doidge, M.D., you’ll read about the exciting aspects that science is learning about the gray matter between your ears. Match it up with “Creatures of a Day and Other Tales of Psychotherapy” by Irvin D. Yalom, a collection of case studies on living and dying.
So you can “feel it in your gut.” That takes guts, and in “Follow Your Gut” by Rob Knight with Brendan Buhler, you’ll see how right you are when you utter those words. This TED talk in book form will prove how what’s behind our belly buttons is also behind our allergies, obesity, and more.
What’s it like to live with Asperger’s Syndrome? In “Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate” by Cynthia Kim, you’ll get a good look. Kim is a writer who also runs her own publishing company; here, she offers advice, comfort, and personal stories, making this a book for those who have ASD and for those who love them.
Spiders, snakes, being alone, loss. If you’ve got fears (and who doesn’t?) and you can see at least some humor in them, then “Why Am I Scared of Everything?” by Bethany Straker is the book for you. Using a fictional character and lots of illustrations, this book pokes gentle fun at the things that frighten us, and it offers sage advice that might help you forget your fears – or, at least make you laugh a little. Pair it up with something serious: “The Evil Hours” by David J. Morris, a war correspondent and former Marine who tells what it’s like to live with PTSD.
Here’s something to make you smile: “The Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness” by Amit Sood, M.D. How can you be happier in four easy steps? Step one: find this book. Step two: read. Then pair it up with “A Fearless Heart” by Thupten Jimpa, PhD, a book about being compassionate and how, by helping others, you can help yourself.
You might not want to think about it when the sun’s shining and the birds are singing, but “The Conversation” by Angelo E. Volandes, M.D. is a book to help you plan the end of your life, how you want to be cared for, and what you don’t want. With this book, you can start one of those difficult talks that nobody wants to have but everybody should.
LGBT INTERESTS
Younger readers may want to ask: what was it like in the beginning of the AIDS epidemic? “Visions and Revisions” by Dale Peck will show you. From the POV of an activist, this book is also somewhat of an autobiography and yes, a rant.
Caitlyn Jenner did it. Laverne Cox did it. If this is your year to do it, then you’ll want “Transgender Persons and the Law, Second Edition” by Ally Windsor Howell, LL.M. This hot-off-the-presses book will help put your mind at ease when it comes to nagging questions on employment, health care, personal safety, and more. Nice touch: websites you can visit to learn more.
Students of LGBT history will definitely want to find “Time on Two Crosses: The Collected Writings of Bayard Rustin,” edited by Devon W. Carbado and Donald Weise, foreword by Barack Obama, afterword by Barney Frank. Back in 1963, in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement, Rustin was an openly gay man with strong political ties and influence, and was an organizer of the March on Washington. This powerful collection underscores his legacy through some fifty years of his life.
Here’s a philosophical question for your summertime: what would you do to keep your sibling alive? In “The Bone Bridge” by Yarrott Benz, the author finds out, as a young teen, that he has a blood disease that can kill him. His brother is match for transfusions – but his brother is also homophobic and the author is gay. WWYD (What Would You Do)?
In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling, “Under This Beautiful Dome” by Terry Mutchler is particularly moving. It’s the story of two women – a journalist and an Illinois State Senator and their relationship. It was a secret, at first, and they worried about discovery (which could ruin careers). Then, when one of them becomes very ill, they worried about how she could be supported by the woman she loved.
Everybody thinks that Stonewall started the gay rights movement, but in “Barbara Gittings: Gay Pioneer,” author Tracy Baim shows that the woman who’s been called the Mother of the Gay Rights Movement was working on LGBT rights many years before (and after!) Stonewall. This book, loaded with photographs, is a well-done celebration of an activist, friend, and woman with a vision of the way things could be.
BUSINESS
Everybody knows that new customers are hard to get these days… so why not ensure that the ones you have, you keep, in a way that’s convenient for everyone? In “The Automatic Customer” by John Warrillow, learn how to join the subscription economy. Think: Birchbark. Think: Barkbox. Think about it, then read “Mindsharing: The Art of Crowdsourcing Everything” by Lior Zoref and let social media do your marketing and decision-making.
So there’s a wedding in your future – or maybe you’ve just started a new relationship – and you sometimes wonder about nagging issues of harmony (or lack thereof). In “The Couple’s Guide to Financial Compatibility” by Jeff Motske, CFP, you’ll learn how to avoid trouble in one major category of getting along. Surprisingly, though, money isn’t the only thing this book tackles. Check it out and you’ll see…
The rules of business seem to change, and management is no different. In “Widgets” by Rodd Wagner, you’ll learn a new method of managing employees with empathy in mind. Also look for “Changing the Conversation” by Dana Caspersen, a quick-bites kind of book that will make conflict resolution a breeze.
If you’ve committed yourself to strengthening your leadership skills this year, take a look at “Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work” by Tracy Brower. This book will teach you how to help your employees to make the most of time, both at work and at home – thereby bringing success to you both. Pair it up with “Chief Customer Officer 2.0” by Jeanne Bliss, a book about making your business as customer-driven as possible, and how it will help your company grow.
PETS / ANIMALS
Dog owners know what it’s like to have that One Dog – and we’re always happy to read about that of others, so “Good Dog”, an anthology of takes from David DiBenedetto and the Editors of Garden & Gun is one to try. This is a compilation of tales (or is that tails?) from authors you know and authors you don’t. Add to that “The Rescue at Dead Dog Beach” by Stephen McGarva, a book about a man who was on vacation and made a startling discovery that changed his life. Bring tissues, that’s all I’m saying. Oh, and don’t forget “Sleeps with Dogs” by Lindsey Grant, who is a pet sitter. This is a fun book because it’s about dogs… but not just dogs. Grant dishes about owners, too, and how great is that?
Here’s a book to keep by your bedside: “Horses” by Bob Langrish and Nicola Jane Swinney. It’s a gorgeously-illustrated book filled with dozens and dozens and dozens of portraits of different breeds of equines, plus enough information to whet your appetite. If you have a horse, you can’t be without this book. Come to think about it, you can’t be without this book if you don’t have a horse…
If you’ve promised yourself a new hobby this year, look for “Peterson Reference Guide to Birding by Impression” by Kevin T. Karlson & Dale Rosselet. This is a new way to birdwatch, with an emphasis on more than just habitat and pretty feathers. Pair it with “Fastest Things on Wings” by Terry Masear, who is a hummingbird rehabilitator.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS – small kids
For the child who’s already become a bit of a Royal Watcher, “Mr. Chicken Lands on London” by Leigh Hobbs will be a big hit. In this story, Mr. Chicken (who looks a little mean, fangs and all) is eager to start his vacation in Great Britain. Your kids will love the story the first time, but be sure to pay attention to the illustrations!
CHILDREN’S BOOKS – middle-graders
For the child who loves reading about history, “Why Would a Dog Need a Parachute?”
by Jo Foster is a Q-and-A-type book about World War II. Your child will learn about different kinds of shelters, how evacuees lived, and how some of them became spies. Add to it “Dr. Dino: How Fast Can You Fart?” from Dr. Dino’s Learnatorium – a book filled with fun facts on the human body – and your child will be a smartypants by time school starts.
For the kid who loves to draw or paint, “Cool Art” by Simon Armstrong would be a great before-you-go-back-to-school gift. Including, but going beyond, the masters, this book explains painting, color, technique, painter bios, and more. Pair this book up with a nice package of colored pencils and a drawing tablet. Here’s another choice for the creative kid: “Nick and Tesla’s Special Effects Spectacular” by “Science Bob” Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith. It’s part mystery, part novel, part movies, and it includes special effects projects for your science-loving kid.
YOUNG ADULT BOOKS
For the wordsmith in the family, “The Weird World of Words” by Mitchell Symons is pure delight. Symons has authored lots of trivia-type books and this latest one deals with language and the quirks it contains. The best word to describe it? “Mine.”
For the young dog lover, “Ellie’s Story” by W. Bruce Campbell will be a welcome treat for the summer. It’s about a dog who was born to rescue people. She’s highly trained but she needs to do more. For readers ages 12 to adult: perfect.
Leadership + golf. Is it possible? In “Art of the Deal: Golf – Access to Success” by Washington D.C.’s own Rose Harper will show you how you can use your golfing skills to enhance your career. Bonus: there’s plenty of biography in this book, to make it interesting.
Some days, you have it… and some days, you wish you did. That’s the time when you need “Grown-Up ABCs Momma Taught Me” by Houston’s Flo McAfee. This quick-to-read book is filled with light boosts to help turn your day around. Pair it up with “i-Comfortable Victim” by Texas’ own Victoria E. Broussard, Esq., a novel of success that’s tainted by one woman’s deep, dark, and long-buried secret.
So you’ve been watching your calories this summer, but you might need a little help. Find it in a novel: “Fit Happens” by Louisiana’s own Sonia Marie Trimble. This book is about how one woman finds it within herself to shed the pounds, work the muscles, and find the life she deserves.
If you’ve been struggling all summer with business woes, look at “Light a Fire Under Your Business” by California firefighters Tom Pandola and James W. Bird. This guidebook on using leadership to inspire your employees will teach you to create the kind of corporation atmosphere that will grow your business and help everyone to reach for their best.
Don’t spend one more month of this year alone. In “Please God Send Me a Husband” by Miami’s own Monique Rainford-Bourne, M.D., you’ll learn, through lessons and anecdotes, how to stop looking for the wrong man and find Mr. Right… and you’ll do it with God’s help and guidance. Bonus: this book is purse-sized, and perfect for reading anywhere.
For the child who loves history – especially early American history – then look for “The Legend of Jocko: Child Hero of the American Revolution” by Miami’s Waymon Eugene LeFall. It’s the story of a little “Negro” boy who lived in the years before this country was a country. When his father volunteered for General Washington’s army, the boy snuck away and joined them, too – and gave his life for the cause. Kids ages 5-to-11 will love it.
Now the literary housekeeping: titles change. Books go out of print. Things happen, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, ask the nice lady or gentleman at the bookstore for their recommendations and expertise… because they really ARE the experts.
And there you are: a whole bunch of ideas for you to look for, add to your I-want-to-read-this list, or to find at your bookstore or library.
Happy Reading!
