SPONSORED: “Great Reads” is a regular roundup of books that the Orange County Public Library System thinks you should peruse that month.
Right now, it can be challenging to find activities that are social and you are comfortable doing. Orange County Library System has successfully adapted one regular offering to the virtual world – bookclubs. Hang out with your fellow book nerds and chat about a specific book or any book. Learn more at ocls.info/bookclubs.
Here’s a selection of books recommended by library staff who are, unsurprisingly, the proudest of book nerds.
THIS MONTH’S GREAT READS
HEARTSTOPPER. VOLUME 1
BY ALICE OSEMAN
A cute and charming coming of age graphic novel that explores love and friendship. Charlie, the shy kid, falls for Nick, the popular rugby player. They develop a friendship that quickly evolves into feelings both boys struggle to understand. This is perfect for anyone looking for a realistic feel-good story. Look out for volume two releasing in early November.
DEAR JUSTYCE
BY NIC STONE
The highly anticipated sequel to Dear Martin. Justyce is off at Yale but remains in communication with Quan, a childhood friend from his neighborhood. A series of unfortunate events has landed Quan in a juvenile detention center and through letters, he shares his experience while incarcerated with Justyce.
INDIAN-ISH : RECIPES AND ANTICS FROM A MODERN AMERICAN FAMILY
BY PRIYA KRISHNA
Food writer Priya Krishna sources her mother’s modernized Indian flare for many of the recipes in this eye-catching cookbook. With photos and easy to follow instructions, these recipes are accessible even for novice cooks. Though there are select meat dishes included, Indian-ish is an excellent tool for anyone looking to pack flavor into plant-based dishes.
THE JOURNEYS OF TREES: A STORY ABOUT FORESTS, PEOPLE, AND THE FUTURE
BY ZACH ST. GEORGE
Deforestation of the world’s forests has become a major problem of our time, but sometimes to solve a problem, it helps to look back. The Journeys of Trees is an informative and engrossing account of mankind’s history with trees, as well as a plan to act on what we can learn from our natural relationship with them to help fortify a stronger environmental future. Whether you’re a nature lover, or simply someone fascinated by the natural world, this book is one journey you won’t regret taking.
PIRANESI
BY SUSANNA CLARKE
The author of the Hugo Award-winning Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, makes her long-awaited return to fiction with Piranesi, a novel about secret worlds, and the secrets we hold within ourselves. All that Piranesi knows is the endless hallways of the vast labyrinth that he calls home. When mysterious clues start to emerge about the true nature of his surroundings, he must force himself to re-examine his life in the labyrinth and find a way to escape everything he has ever known.
DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING: PUTTING LIFE BACK TOGETHER WHEN YOUR WORLD FALLS APART
BY RACHEL HOLLIS
Many of us have been in the middle of tough seasons we didn’t see coming, and Rachel Hollis is no exception. Sometimes pulling up from a downward spiral is difficult even when we know crashing is inevitable. In her latest book, Rachel encourages the wounded and hurting to reframe their experiences as a first step to reimagining a better future. She also offers suggestions on how to normalize during crises to help cope. This book may be the key to a fresh start for some.
