Finding your reading for the summer - there are lots of options!

By Roxann Silbaugh, Library Associate

She ran out of the house and down the willow-draped lane to the meadow, where she waved and called out to the old paint pony who whinnied back. Climbing up to the middle of the apple tree at the edge of the meadow she settled herself on the big limb, the world’s most perfect place to read, and with a satisfied sigh, opened her book.

One of the great things about reading is that it can take you away to other places so you don’t even notice that you’re on a plane or a train or in the doctor’s office. Reading in the winter is great. It can take you to warmer climes or it can make the sun stay out longer. Reading in the summer though, is like your own private vacation every time you open a book. There are some great reading vacations that you can take this summer without having to pump too much gas into your tank. Come to either of the public library locations, and you can find a wide variety of reading selections.

I love mysteries, and sometimes I just browse through the stacks at the library and look for the mystery label; I’ve found some great books that way. If you have a favorite mystery author, or any favorite fiction author, and have already read through all their books, we have a resource on our website that can help you find something similar. Novelist provides lists of fiction titles, can find books by other authors who write in a similar style to your favorite, or can suggest novels with plots that you might like. Find Novelist on our website by clicking on “Books and Media,” then on “May We Suggest.”

Still wondering what to read next? There are a number of ways to get information about books you might enjoy reading. Join us for our summertime “Quick Picks Picnic,” and talk with others about what you like to read and hear about what they’re reading; it’s a great way to add titles and authors to your reading wish list. The picnics will be held on July 16 and August 20 at noon, with a lunch sponsored by the Friends of the Library; call 394-4171 to reserve your lunch.

If you do decide to go on that road trip this summer, or if you’d like to have a diversion on your daily commute or while running errands, audio books make a great alternative to the print version. The library has thousands of books on CD to choose from, and you can also download audio books through the library’s website. Just go to the library’s website at www.rapidcitylibrary.org, and click on “Downloadable AudioBooks.” Enter your library card number to check out the audio books and download them to your computer or MP3 player. Some of the audio downloads can even be burned to your own CDs. The downloads check out for two weeks, after which they check themselves in; they can also be renewed or checked out again later.
If you haven’t discovered LibraryThing yet, check it out. LibraryThing is a website devoted to booklovers, to list, discuss, rate, and review books. RCPL’s LibraryThing page is at www.librarything.com/profile/RapidCityPubLib, and includes hundreds of new books in our collection as well as book reviews and reading suggestions from library staff.

Are you a fan of poetry, plays, or essays? If so, take a look at the LitFinder database, also available through our website. You can find thousands of poem, plays, essays, and other writings that you can read right online!

There are some very intriguing new books this season, all set for your summertime reading. James Patterson’s latest novel is called “Sail” and as usual has received excellent reviews. If you have an interest in vampires a series by Stephenie Meyer called the Twilight Saga might grab you; the latest in the series is “Eclipse”. Janet Evanovich scores again with “Fearless Fourteen.,” and it’s easy to get caught in the web of “The Appeal” by John Grisham. “Duma Key” by Stephen King and “Infected” by Scott Sigler might also catch your interest.

A popular political title is Scott McClelland’s “What Happened”. Other non-fiction titles for good summer reading are “Audition” by Barbara Walters; “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert; “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch; and “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time” by Greg Mortenson.

If you would like still more reading ideas, chat with librarians online, also through our website, for tips about more to read. And you can always give us a call at 394-4171 (Downtown) or 716-4098 (North). We will be happy to help you find reading choices to take out to the apple tree with you.