Adult Summer Reading Program

#52FilmsbyWomen: A Viewing Challenge
Perhaps you're tired of binge watching the same things your friends are streaming and would like to expand your viewing options. Here's a fun opportunity: The #52FilmsbyWomen challenge.

The Art of Paper Quilling
This delicate craft offers delightful accents to cards, ornaments for the holidays, intriguing jewelry and many other delights.

Chess-themed Thrillers
For such a stationary game, chess has inspired a surprising number of high-stakes thrillers.

The Contemporary Immigrant Experience
A collection of books that detail contemporary immigrant experiences.

Country Music History
These books, documentaries, and CDs will give you a greater appreciation for this wonderful genre of music.

Creative Writing Inspiration
Are you thinking about starting a new creative writing project or re-engaging with one you've been working on for a while? Here are some to get your writing juices flowing.

Discover a Genre: Afrofuturism
Afrofuturism as it relates to literature, is speculative fiction within the African diaspora. To be Afrofuturism, a book must be rooted in and unapologetically celebrate the uniqueness and innovation of black culture." Here are a selection of book titles that represent this genre.

Diverse Adult Fantasy Novels with Magic
This list highlights diverse fantasy works. All of these books feature magic and range from stand-alone urban fantasies to book one of world-building fantasy series. Many are award winners, but all make good additions to a diverse reading goal.

Fierce Female Warriors
Celebrate Women's History Month with these Westerns. From Annie Oakley, that amazing sharpshooter, to the indomitable spirit of Mattie Ross, we’ve gathered a list of our favorite western literature featuring female leads as well as our favorite Westerns written by women.

Flower Gardening
It's that time of year when even the brownest thumb starts yearning for floral gratification. The Library has many resources to help green up that thumb and that yard!

Flower Gardening with a Plan
Raised beds, extravagant backyards, and terra cotta pots all serve as avenues to growing ornamentals for any resident or visitor to enjoy. If you find yourself wondering what to do about your garden, consider one of the following books to help finalize your plans and start working towards a garden of your design.

Folk: Music and Memories
Explore the lives and music of folk greats Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Gilbert, Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Gordon Lightfoot, Phil Ochs, Odetta, Pete Seeger, Dave Van Ronk, and Josh White through books, movies, and music.

Gardening
If you have ever wanted a beautiful flower garden or wished you could grow a good vegetable garden (or perhaps both), take encouragement from the practical advice given by these expert gardeners!

Gardening In An Apartment (Or Other Small Space!)
Whether you have an apartment patio, a small yard, or you just don't want to dig a garden, you can still grow fresh fruits and veggies and flowers all season long in a container garden!

Historical Romance Featuring Characters of Color Historical romance has faced increased criticism in recent years for it's lack of diversity. However, historical romance has the capacity to spotlight a rich history of people of color finding love and joy. Check out these historical romance novels, each of which feature at least one main character of color!

Japanese Drama Films A collection of Japanese films featuring both family and individual dramas. Titles are arranged alphabetically by the name of the director.

Juneteenth Reads
We have selected reads on the history of Juneteenth, emancipation and freedom, reconstruction, and celebration. All descriptions come from the book jackets or publishers of these works.

Just a Touch of Magic
Adults who enjoyed Matilda will love these more mature stories where the protagonist discover themselves, family, and a world far more magical than it first appears.

Kanopy Documentaries and Movies
This list contains recommendations for documentaries and movies on the streaming video service called Kanopy, which can be accessed through the library's website by cardholders for free and by creating a username and password.

Knitting My Way to Peace
I'll be honest, I love to knit. I find it very soothing and relaxing. I enjoy tv more when my hands are busy. Knitting is easy to learn and the Library has lots of resources to help the neophyte and challenge the veteran knitter.

LGBTQ+ Art Spotlight
A quick look at how queer and art cultures have influenced each other, with an emphasis on BIPOC creatives.

Podcasting for Beginners
Podcasting is a form of internet broadcasting open to anyone with access to the tools to record and share audio. If you've got something to say and an interest in sharing your voice, consider creating your own podcast with the help of the resources below.

Recycled Crafts
Here are some inspiring books and streaming videos full of craft ideas using items you can find at home and outside.

Sewing for Everyone
According to the dictionary sewing is: the activity of making or mending clothes or other things using a needle and thread. Whether you beginner, an experienced seamstress or want to relearn after years away from the sewing machine this list will help you find a book to help you on your sewing journey.

Shakespeare on Film
Over 400 years have passed since Shakespeare's plays first found their way onto the London stage. Here is a sampling of comedies, tragedies, and histories that continue to intrigue audiences and find new forms of expression through film.

Soap Making
A guide for making your own all natural soaps for crafters, gift giving, or for pampering your skin.

Soundtracks with No Movie
In order to have a soundtrack, you need to have a movie. Thats the way it goes, right? I challenge that idea with a couple of soundtracks and concept albums that was released to be the companion to activities outside of movies and TV.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Crafts
Looking for an inexpensive and simple project? Check out these books for ideas about how to use items you already have at home that are waiting for a new purpose.

World Refugee Day
June 20th is World Refugee Day. What follows are titles that offer insight to the refugee experience, both fiction and non-fiction.

Zombie Comedy Films
Some of these movies are classic. Others are classically bad. Either way, zombies can make us laugh even as they terrify us.