Huntington Public Library Adult Reading Challenge

 An amazing samurai story with beautiful art. Inoue's straightforward dialogue and expressive art style do an amazing job telling the story of Myamoto Musashi, though this book only scratches the surface

  This book was the perfect summer read for me: mysterious and atmospheric. A lot of it takes place in a lighthouse in the 1970ies and is a bit creepier than I usually read, but I highly recommend it as I couldn't put it down and wanted to know what happened to the three men working in the lighthouse who all disappeared one night. It is based on a true story.

  This book beautifully shows how the smallest routines—making the bed, sipping coffee, brushing your teeth—become sacred rhythms of grace.  For those who are juggling so much, it’s easy to feel like our lives don’t quite “fit” or that the ordinary doesn’t matter. But Warren reminds us that God is found right in the middle of the everyday. If you’ve ever wondered how your faith intersects with the chaos and calm of daily life, this is a must-read. Highly recommend! 

  fter listening to Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture by A.J. Wolfe of Disney Food Blog, I realized I’m not exactly a “Disney Adult.” I’m more of a Disney brand enthusiast — someone who cherishes the memories I’ve made there and appreciates the quality the company is known for. A key takeaway for me was the importance of balance and priorities when engaging in any passion that could lean toward fanaticism. Overall, this audiobook is well-written and inclusive for everyone — from casual Disney fans to die-hard “Disney Adults.”

  I truly enjoyed reading this short book in small chunks. Through simple tips and reminders, the book helps readers develop healthier emotional habits. I liked reading it given my busy schedule with my children. I didn't ever feel sucked in like I couldn't put it down and I also didn't feel like I couldn't take a break. The wisdom is simple yet profound. I suppose it's a self help book but it certainly didn't feel like it. I look forward to reading other books in this series.

  It’s Not Summer Without You is a young adult novel that follows the story of Belly, a teenage girl navigating the complexities of love and friendship. I picked up this juvenile fictional series after watching a few seasons on Prime Video. Its lighthearted and dramatic at the same time. I felt silly reading this juvenile fiction book but it was an easy read and transported me to being a teenager. I work with k-12th graders so the perspectives these characters have are valuable to me. I also liked that I finally stepped away from non-fiction topics that feel more like I'm conducting research! I have one more book to read in this series before Prime Video releases the last episodes based on book 3! Ha.

  This book was written over 30 years ago. The author was able to do a deep-dive into hip-hop when it was and had "blown up" - 1990s. It's an exploration of hip-hop as cultural expression of the lived experiences, struggles, and creativity of black communities. Tricia Rose explores race and identity, social and economic inequality, resistance and empowerment, and commercialization and authenticity between hip-hop’s roots in community expression and mainstream culture. It's a LOT to say the least. I highly recommend if you're a hip-hop head.

  A well-researched look at NYC in the late1800s as reformers attempted to quell vice while police tended to look the other way. The author uses extensive written material to chronicle bordellos, drinking establishments and gambling dens to show the state of sin. He profiles Rev. Parkhurst on his campaign to clean up the city, along with Rosevelt's time as police commissioner when he attempted to enforce blue laws and reform civil service while alienating many around him. The exhaustive details gets a bit old, but you get a sense of how wide open the city was and the personalities of the many police, bureaucrats and regular people as they navigated the times. It had B&W pictures of the main characters but would have benefitted greatly from a period grid map of city streets to help you keep track of which ward and the streets as they were discussed.

  What a great debut novel. Written by a former bookseller and enrolled member of the St. Regis Mohawk tribe, the book offers a wry look into one tribal member's journey back home while he awaits the formal diagnosis of a painful disease causing lesions on his legs. His alter ego, poet Dominick Deer Woods, has works sprinkled throughout the book that offer the less-sanitized indigenous viewpoint. You learn about his life and open marriage as he comes to terms with his family, why he left the reservation and how he reconciles his past and future. It's a moving look at contemporary indigenous life and reminds me of Tommy Orange's "There There."