Embark on your summer reading journey with these captivating reads. Whether you seek far-off lands, mysteries that need solving, or daring exploits, these books will transport you into the thick of the action. Adventure begins at your library—where will your next adventure take you?
Venomous Lumpsucker by Ned Beauman
In a dystopian future, governments and corporations have devised a system where biodiversity credits are traded much like carbon credits today. Karin Resaint, a passionate environmentalist, teams up with Mark Halyard, who works for a corporation that profits from this system. Their unlikely partnership is driven by the urgent need to locate the last surviving venomous lumpsuckers before they become extinct, as these fish hold significant economic and scientific value. Their journey takes them across a world ravaged by ecological collapse, encountering various stakeholders with conflicting interests.
The Sentinel by Lee Child and Andrew Child
Jack Reacher arrives in the small town of Pleasantville, Tennessee, only to discover that the town is experiencing a series of troubling incidents. The town’s IT systems have been hacked, causing widespread chaos. Reacher quickly becomes involved in the mystery when he saves Rusty Rutherford, the town’s IT manager, from an attempted kidnapping. Rutherford, who was blamed for the cyberattack, holds crucial information that several dangerous entities are eager to obtain. Reacher teams up with Rutherford to uncover the truth behind the cyberattack and protect the town from further harm.
Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig
The novel follows Shek Yeung, who rises to power as a pirate queen after the death of her husband, Cheng Yat, a notorious pirate leader. Navigating a male-dominated world, Shek Yeung must assert her authority and protect her fleet from external threats, including the Chinese navy and rival pirate factions. The story delves into her struggles, both personal and political, as she maintains her power and seeks to secure her legacy.
Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom
The narrative follows Crow Mary, a Crow tribe member, from her early life in the Great Plains through her experiences of cultural upheaval, personal trials, and ultimate survival. The novel spans Mary’s journey as she marries a fur trader, faces the clash between Native American and European American cultures, and becomes a beacon of strength for her people.
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
The novel centers on Lily Wilder, who runs adventure tours using her father’s old maps, and Leo Grady, her former love who unexpectedly reenters her life. When a treasure hunt tour turns into a real quest for lost treasure, Lily and Leo must confront their past, rekindle their romance, and work together to survive the dangers they encounter.
The Villa by Racheal Hawkins
The novel follows two parallel stories: one set in the 1970s and one in the present day. In the 1970s, rock musician Noel Gordon invites a group of friends to stay at Villa Rosato in Italy, where tragedy strikes. In the present day, writers Emily and Chess, old friends seeking inspiration and escape, rent the same villa and uncover the villa’s sinister past.
The Storyteller’s Death by Ann Dávila Cardinal
The novel centers around Isla Larsen Sanchez, a young girl who, upon the death of her beloved grandmother, inherits a mystical gift that allows her to relive the stories of her ancestors. As Isla navigates the challenges of growing up, she uncovers hidden family secrets and learns about the power and responsibility that come with her gift.
The Vanishing Edge by Claire Kells
The novel centers on former FBI agent and search-and-rescue expert, Felicity Harland, who is hired to investigate the disappearance of a woman in the national park. Partnering with National Parks Service agent Ferdinand “Hux” Huxley, Felicity must navigate the treacherous terrain, uncover clues, and confront hidden dangers as they race against time to find the missing woman and unravel the mystery behind her vanishing.
Black Flag by David Ricciardi
The novel follows Jake Keller as he is assigned to infiltrate and dismantle a pirate organization that has been wreaking havoc on international shipping routes. The mission takes Keller into the treacherous waters off the Horn of Africa, where he faces ruthless pirates, treacherous allies, and the harsh realities of modern maritime warfare.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
After being released from prison, Shadow Moon learns that his wife has died in a car accident. Adrift and grieving, he meets the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday, who offers him a job as a bodyguard. Shadow soon discovers that Mr. Wednesday is an incarnation of the Norse god Odin. Together, they travel across the country to recruit old gods for an impending war against the new gods, who represent modern life’s obsessions such as media, technology, and celebrity.