by Beth Cronk, Litchfield head librarian
Books that are published in the summer always get attention
in the media. This year there doesn’t
seem to be much agreement on what the big hits of this summer will be, but at
least there are many choices. Here are
some of the books getting media buzz that we have or will be getting sometime
this summer:
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair is a novel set in
New England, originally written in French by a Swiss author, Joel Dicker. The novel is a huge bestseller in Europe, and
now it’s been released in the U.S. This
suspense novel is being compared to the television series
Twin Peaks, the
writings of Truman Capote, and Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy. Reviewers say the story zooms forward without
slowing down for the many twists and turns.
Sounds like an amusement park version of a book, perfect for summer.
Stephen King’s newest is
Mr. Mercedes. The novel is narrated by both the demented
Mercedes Killer, who ran down 23 people with a stolen car and plans to do
something even bigger, and by retired Detective Hodges, who is trying to catch
him. King has blended horror with the
hardboiled detective novel in this one.
If Stephen King is not your thing, maybe
The One and Only by Emily Giffin would be a better choice. It’s considered women’s fiction, with a story
of family, friendship, and finding oneself.
Thirty-three-year-old Shea has lived her entire life in a Texas college
town, but a tragedy leads her to reconsider her life choices. This one is already on the bestseller lists.
The new Outlander novel by Diana Gabaldon has just come
out.
Written in My Own Heart’s Blood continues the story of Jamie and Claire.
These are time-travel books, so part of this novel is set in 1778 and
part in the twentieth century. Gabaldon
says that any of the books can be read alone, without having to start at the
beginning of the series.
I am Pilgrim is the first novel by screenwriter and
producer Terry Hayes. This political
thriller has been compared to the Jason Bourne series and John LeCarré’s
novels. Pilgrim is a legendary secret
agent, up against a terrorist named Saracen.
Reviewers say you will not be able to put it down and that it’s perfect
for a movie version.
The Fever is a novel coming out later in June from
Edgar-winning author Megan Abbott.
Although the book is about high school students, it isn’t a young adult
book. It tells the story of a mysterious
epidemic among teen girls in a perfect suburban community. A series of girls - only girls - land in the
hospital with mysterious symptoms like seizures and fainting. Is it HPV vaccinations, the polluted lake, or
sexual activity? Drawing parallels to
the girls in the Salem witch trials, this novel shows how paranoia can spread
in the modern world and how the teen years can be terrifying.
Emma Straub’s second novel,
The Vacationers is a well-written
beach read. A long-married couple go on
vacation in Mallorca with their grown children.
They all have secrets, quirks, and relationship tensions. Straub’s writing in this is praised as funny
and wise.
If these or other summer books you’re hearing about sound
interesting, come to the library to fill up your beach bag. Remember that some of the magazine and television
stories you’re seeing about this summer’s books include things not being
released until August, so if you don’t see something you’re looking for, check
back later or ask a staff person for some help.
