Evan Massey is a regular contributor to WGIL. He is the former girls basketball coach at Galesburg High School, retired as one of the most successful coaches in Illinois history. He writes history features and a weekly Time Capsule column for WGIL.
All of us remember the joy of escaping during summer leisure time with a great book. We were able to go on adventures around the world, solve a murder mystery, or learn more about an inspiring individual.
Our wonderful Galesburg Public Library has the summer reading program, “Plant a Seed, Read.” They have programs for young readers, teens, and adults. For more info, visit the Galesburg Public Library.
In honor of the summer reading program, I have reached out to 10 book lovers and asked them to share their summer reading recommendations. I hope you will find some books that you want to read this summer.
Pick out a title and head to our wonderful Galesburg Public Library!!
Jay Barshinger — Retired Teacher and Coach
The President’s Daughter by James Patterson & Bill Clinton — Former president is an ex-Navy Seal and goes on an off the books mission to rescue his kidnapped daughter.
Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben — A sports agent solves a mystery about his client, a rookie quarterback, who gets a call from a former girlfriend he thought was dead.
The Day The World Came To Town by Jim DeFede — The basis of the musical “Come From Away.” Following 9/11, the US airspace was closed and all flights coming over the Atlantic were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland. This book describes the extraordinary kindness of the townspeople in housing, feeding, and bonding with 38 planes full of over 6,000 passengers. Both the musical and the book are inspiring!
Mark Twain by Ron Chernow — Biography of Samuel Clemens, who becomes Mark Twain.
The Widow by John Grisham — Small town lawyer thinks he has a gold mine in creating a will for a wealthy widow, but ends up going on trial for her murder. He must find the real killer to free himself.
Jane Easterly — Retired Assistant Director of Galesburg Public Library
Voyagers by Meg Charlton — A mysterious signal from the edge of the solar system arrives on Earth and changes everything. Is it first contact from extraterrestrial life? Two women abducted years before as children are drawn into the intrigue.
An Artful Dodge by Karen Odden — London, 1879: an all-female thieving ring thrives in the Elephant and Castle District. Kit dreams of a different life, but must carry out one more heist before she can leave the gang.
Everything to the Sea by Alicia Upano — A sweeping novel set in Hawai’i, as a tsunami tears a young couple apart and they try to find their way back to each other years later.
Coco by Andrew Sean Greer — A broke and directionless archivist takes a job in the Tuscan hills of Italy cataloging contents of a crumbling mansion. The strong-willed widow who owns the villa entertains an endless variety of guests and pulls the young man into her magical orbit.
The Children by Melissa Albert — Two children of a legendary author, estranged and traumatized by a childhood that was nothing like their mother’s books, must face the secrets they’ve been avoiding their whole lives.
Kathy Callison — Retired GHS Librarian
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett — A group of scrappy, strong willed women work together to solve challenges they all face in Mississippi during the depression. Stockett’s first book since The Help (2009). Definitely my favorite of the year!!
The Bright Years by Sarah Danoff — Ryland and Lillian Bright fall madly in love, get married and have a daughter…but Lillian has a hidden secret and Ryan has an addiction. Their daughter grows up witnessing both love and dysfunction. A story of love and its limits.
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser — A retelling of Cinderella with a stepmother determined to marry off one of her daughters to the prince. Strong female characters, a sordid secret and a celebration of women everywhere who make their own fortunes.
The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard — Two babies are born the same day in the same hospital but are raised in very different emotional environments. A story of love and loss, family secrets, mistakes that change lives and the importance of family. I love everything Maynard writes.
The Women on Platform 2 by Laura Anthony — Historical fiction set in 1970s Dublin and inspired by the true story of Irish women who fought for reproductive rights, particularly the legalization of contraception. A story of female strength, friendship and resilience.
I See You Called in Dead by John Kenney — Obituary writer Bud Stanley is recently divorced, bored with his job and is about to be fired for publishing his own obituary while drunk. Can Bud learn to live again?? Laugh out loud funny and a study in what being alive is really all about.
Looking forward to reading: John John by Douglas Stewart, Weight of Angels by John Boyne, In Wonderland by Joyce Maynard, Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, and The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout.
Bill Allison — Retired GHS Teacher
First Frost by Craig Johnson — Good summer reading is found in First Frost by Craig Johnson in his Longview Series. Going back and forth between 1964 and the present, it gives the reader a dual timeline. Craig Johnson smoothly moves the reader back and forth between the past and the present. It makes a good read with Walt Longmire as a main character.
Rage by Linda Castillo — In this new installment of the Edgar Award winning series, chief of police Kate Burkholder investigates a brutal double murder. It exposes the danger of Amish lives gone wrong. The question is do the killers target Kate herself.
The Cross Roads by C.J. Box — Game Warden Joe Pickett is found fighting for his life with a gunshot to his head. He is found at the crossroads where three dangerous families live. His three daughters, Sheridan, April, and Lucy try to uncover who shot and left him for dead. This is a great Joe Pickett novel.
The Women by Kristin Hannah — The novel was a number one best seller, which shows Frances McGrath coming of age in a dangerous time. She joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows her brother to Vietnam. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America. It is a good story of a difficult time.
Conclave by Robert Harris — The Pope is dead. Behind the doors of the Sistine Chapel, the Cardinals from all over the world will cast their votes. They are religious men and over the next 72 hours, one of the 118 Cardinals will be the Pope after much discussion. This was another interesting novel.
My summer reading is with a novel by author Ben Crump, a renowned attorney and first time author. His novel is Worse Than a Lie. It introduces the reader to Beau Lee Cooper, a successful and powerful attorney.
Mark Massey — Retired Teacher & Coach, Political Activist
We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter — This is a psychological thriller set in a small town in Georgia. Things aren’t always what they seem, and everyone is dealing with a certain degree of guilt and lack of innocence. A tremendous mystery and a great story.
11/22/63 by Stephen King — About a time traveler who attempts to prevent the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy, which occurred on November 22, 1963. Hard to describe that this is not Stephen King’s normal sci-fi stuff. I found it very interesting. It does take commitment because it’s 850 pages, but I think you’d be surprised and you might like it. Give it a try. Stephen King is an excellent writer.
A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan — True story, well researched, about the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana in the 1920s. You might be familiar with the overall story, but I don’t think any of us realized all of the crazy details.
Dark Road by Chevy Stevens — This is a thriller/mystery set on a lonesome highway in British Columbia. You might not be familiar with this author, but she tells a very good story and is an excellent writer.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah — The story of two sisters, who each react in a different way to the Nazi occupation of France. The main action of the book is told in third-person, following two sisters, Vianne Mauriac and Isabelle Rossignol, who live in France around 1939, on the eve of World War II. The two sisters are estranged from each other and their father, and the book follows the two different paths they take. It’s historical fiction, but does incorporate some factual incidents. Very highly regarded.
Jean Trumpy — Retired Librarian in Wisconsin
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi — Theo is about an older gentleman who moves to a small city in Georgia and becomes friends with many in the community. They only know him by his first name…He anonymously does many wonderful things to help the people. Without saying any more — the world needs more Theo’s.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans — Remember the day before email and text messages, when you had to write a letter to keep in touch with a friend…The woman in this book still does this and we learn more about her life and her decisions as we read what she writes to others. She appears to be opinionated and crotchety…
The Mountains We Call Home by Kim Michelle Richardson — If you have read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, this is a sequel…I think you’ll enjoy it. If you haven’t read it give it a try. Also try The Book Woman’s Daughter. They all take place in the hills of Kentucky.
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood — A retired teacher who conducts a book club in a prison, a former prisoner, and a handyman in a bookstore all connect and we realize how the love of books can change their lives.
Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn — The last one is nonfiction and if you enjoy reading about World War II is well worth the read…It’s the story of a family from Nazi Germany, who moved to Hawaii in the mid/late 1930s and became spies for Japan helping cause the successful bombing of Pearl Harbor. This was never discussed and a young American woman found that these were her grandparents and set out to find more about the unknown family history.
Heather Sipes — Executive Director of Galesburg Public Library Foundation
The Amalfi Curse: A Bewitching Tale of Sunken Treasure, Forbidden Love and Ancient Magic on the Amalfi Coast by Sarah Penner — Set on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, it follows a nautical archaeologist investigating mysterious shipwrecks while searching for a hidden treasure connected to her late father. With ancient sea magic, a centuries-old curse, romance, and plenty of mystery, it sounds like the perfect blend of adventure and escapism for summer reading.
On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer by Rick Steves — Every trip I’ve taken has left me with stories, lessons, and memories I never expected, which is why this book immediately landed on my summer TBR. Rick Steves recounts his journey along the legendary “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu, sharing the adventures and challenges that sparked his lifelong passion for travel. Part memoir, part time capsule, it promises a fascinating look at a world that no longer exists in quite the same way.
Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line by Elle Cosimano — This is Book 6 in the Finlay Donovan series, and while I’m excited to continue the adventure, this is definitely a series that should be started from the beginning. What began as a hilarious mix of mystery, crime, and chaos has evolved into a story full of lovable characters and long-running plot threads that build from book to book. In this installment, Finlay heads to Maryland to help clear her best friend Vero’s name before a looming court date turns her life upside down. If you enjoy witty amateur sleuths, laugh-out-loud moments, and mysteries that never seem to go according to plan, start with Book 1 and prepare to binge all seven books.
A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko — As someone who loves the outdoors and believes in preserving wild places, this book immediately earned a spot on my summer TBR. What starts as an ambitious plan to hike the entire length of the Grand Canyon turns into an epic misadventure that tests the limits of endurance, friendship, and determination. Beyond the adventure itself, the story promises a deeper look at the canyon’s hidden landscapes, Indigenous history, and the challenges facing one of America’s greatest natural treasures.
Mary Jane: A Novel by Jessica Anya Blau — Set in 1970s Baltimore, it follows a shy, sheltered teenager whose summer nanny job unexpectedly drops her into the middle of a world filled with rock stars, movie stars, and ideas that challenge everything she’s ever known. As Mary Jane navigates the gap between the life she was raised to want and the possibilities she never imagined, she begins to discover who she wants to become.
Jessica Howard — Teacher in Williamsfield
The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers — This book is only 272 pages, so a perfect quick summer read. If you’re a Crime Junkie fan, you will like Ashley Flower’s writing style and story.
The Plated Prisoner Series by Raven Kennedy — A 6-book fantasy series (definitely read the content warnings before diving in). If you love fantasy and a strong FMC, this will tear you apart and put you back together again. The books are a bit longer, but it’s a great escape.
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck — Go into this one without reading the synopsis! Shark Heart was one of the best books I read last year and definitely unpredictable.
Devotions by Mary Oliver — This book is a collection of Oliver’s poems and I find them fun to read on summer mornings before going outside. My favorite Mary Oliver poem is Why I Wake Early.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon — This is on my reading list for the summer and I’m excited for it! It’s part of a 3-book series that can be read in order of your choosing based on how used to reading epic fantasy you are. From what I’ve read, fantasy newcomers may want to read in publication order, while others may choose to start with the prequels to make the plot twists more intense.
Cindy Roach — Retired Galesburg Teacher, Shelver at Galesburg Public Library
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi — An elderly Portuguese man moves to an American Southern town. He begins buying the pencil portraits displayed on the walls of a cafe and creates bonds when he gifts each drawing back to its subject.
Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson — 27-year-old Jet is brutally attacked on Halloween. The resulting head injury is likely to cause a fatal brain aneurysm within a week. She decides to use that time to solve her own murder.
Killer of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourne — Four recently retired government assassins are targeted for death and must elude those who seek to harm them and find out who is behind the effort.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir — A lone science teacher, turned astronaut, must save Earth from an extinction level event. With the help of an alien creature, he has a chance.
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner — A modern day woman stumbles across a hidden 18th century apothecary shop that catered to women’s problems: menstrual issues, arthritis, abusive husbands.
My summer TBR List: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet, How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley, and Deaf Utopia: A Memoir — And a Love Letter to a Way of Life by Nyle DiMarco.
Megan Bohn — Galesburg Public Library, Children’s Library Assistant, STEM Specialist
Here are (some of) the books I’m hoping to read this summer. With a TBR (To Be Read) list of almost 550 books, it was tough to narrow the field. Apparently I’m more into romantasy than I thought…And/or I’m craving escape.
Daggerbound by T. Kingfisher (my favorite author!) — On August 25, we’ll follow Learned Edmund as he draws the sword he’s been warned not to (in his literal defense, there were bandits) and summons The Dervish. The Dervish is a centuries-old warrior who’s been trapped in said sword. Hijinks and romance will ensue.
The Feywild Job by C.L. Polk — A Dungeons & Dragons romantasy coming out on June 30. Saeldian gets magical abilities if they don’t fall in love, but is forced to team up with their ex, Kell, for a heist. Once again, hijinks and romance will ensue.
The Queen’s Granddaughter by Diane Zahler — Neither a romance nor a fantasy. Instead, it’s historical fiction centered around Blanca of Castille, the granddaughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Chosen by the queen to marry the prince of France, Blanca and co. must travel over the Pyrenees Mountains. Perils and character growth will ensue.
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards by Sara Raasch — The cover immediately grabbed my attention earlier this year. Hopefully I’ll get around to actually reading it soon (see the TBR list). This is a queer romcom enemies-to-lovers academia “there’s only one grant” novel centered around grad school for wizards.
Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die by Greer Sothers — In which a handsome knight is told that the only way to defeat the evil sorcerer Merulo is to be killed by him. Understandably, Sir Cameron isn’t thrilled by this and throws himself on Merulo’s mercy. Merulo actually doesn’t want him to die either, and turns him into a vulture instead. As one does. This one has been getting more mixed reviews since the February publication date, but I’m hoping that I can just enjoy it for the chaos it claims to be.
And of course, I’ll continue to get letters from my dear friend Jonathan Harker, since I signed up for Dracula Daily and now get the novel emailed to me in real time as it happens in the book.
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