Welcome to this week’s edition of the Geauga News Weekly Roundup! Have a unique dinner or lunch this weekend on the on Cuyahoga County Railroad. Give input on how your libraries can better server the Geauga community during the town hall discussions this week. Want to make the most of your Geauga Public Library this summer? There’s’ something for everyone on the Little Acorn Summer Reading List for 2018. Check it out!
Events on Friday, June 8th, 2018
– 25th Anniversary Lake County Dream House Ticket Pre-Sale
Events on Saturday, June 9th, 2018
– 25th Anniversary Lake County Dream House Ticket Pre-Sale
Little Acorn Media Summer Reading List for 2018 (Part One)
Reading is such a sweet pleasure. So is the summer. Put the two together and you have a winning combination. Not sure what to read this summer? Are you a fan of science fiction? Biographies? Romance? Whatever your cup of tea, your local Geauga Public Library has it all.
Whether you like to read physical books, read books on a tablet, or listen to audio books, reading enriches your mind and soul. Here’s a look at seven of our favorite books you should read during the summer of 2018:
- Local: Murder at the Maple Festival
- Science Fiction: Stranger in a Strange Land
- Action: One for the Money
- Dystopian: Divergent
- Fantasy: The Little Prince
- US Historical Fiction: The Help
- International Historical Fiction: The Book Thief
Local
Chardon attorney, Paul A. Newman’s Murder at the Maple Festival brings murder-mystery intrigue to Chardon, Ohio. The president of the Maple Festival is accused of murdering a local judge, and he needs the help of a Chardon police officer to clear his name and continue the festival.
Science Fiction
Robert A. Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land is one of the best science fiction books ever written. Orphaned 25 years ago on Mars, Valentine Michael Smith was raised by Martians and then sent back to Earth. Due to the difference in gravity, Mike spends time in a hospital. While recovering, Mike meets Jill, a nurse who helps him evade the authorities. This story makes you question your own views on some of society’s most important beliefs. Read this and you’ll think twice about how humans interact.
Action
The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich is a guilty pleasure of ours. The series starts with One for The Money. It introduces Stephanie Plum, a reluctant bounty hunter working for her cousin. She is joined by a cast characters of you will quickly learn to love. At the time of this article, the Plum series has 24 novels. Start with the first novel and then check out the movie adaptation.
Dystopian
Veronica Roth’s Divergent trilogy is now a blockbuster movie series. It’s set in a dystopian world and features a strong heroine, Beatrice Prior. In Divergent, young adults must choose between four factions. Each faction prizes one attribute over all others: honesty, bravery, service to others or intelligence. After choosing one faction, Beatrice discovers a secret that will change the world — or cause her death. After reading the series, watch the Divergent film trilogy. The movies stay true to the original story.
See the rest of our 2018 Summer Reading List after Wednesday’s events!
Events on Sunday, June 10th, 2018
– Polliwog Paddle Family Canoe at Eldon Russell Park (Ages 5+ w/adult) – 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
– 25th Anniversary Lake County Dream House Ticket Pre-Sale
Events on Tuesday, June 12th, 2018
– 25th Anniversary Lake County Dream House Ticket Pre-Sale
Events on Wednesday, June 13th, 2018
– 25th Anniversary Lake County Dream House Ticket Pre-Sale
Little Acorn Media Summer Reading List for 2018 (Part Two)
Fantasy
Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s story The Little Prince was originally written in French, and there are a few translations and adaptations out there. If you can’t read the original French text, we recommend the 1943 translation by Katherine Woods. The story takes place after a pilot crashes his airplane in the desert. He meets a young boy who claims to be a prince from another planet. The prince’s story is an allegory of friendships and relationships that still rings true today.
US Historical Fiction
Kathryn Stockett’s novel, The Help, is set in early 1960’s Mississippi. Racial tension is rife in the small town of Jacksonville. The town’s black women are nannies raising white children or housemaids keeping white estates clean. The story follows two black women, Aibileen and Missy, struggling to survive this tumultuous period. It also follows Skeeter, a young white woman recently back from college. When Skeeter lands a job at the local paper writing about cleaning, she asks Aibileen advice. Through her story, Aibileen learns the startling truth about racism and black lives blacks in the south.
International Historical Fiction
Markus Zusak’s novel The Book Thief is set in Nazi Germany. The story is told from Death’s point-of-view. Death follows Liesel, a foster girl living in Munich. Liesel’s foster father is harboring a Jewish man in his basement. After Liesel steals a book, the Jewish man teaches her how to read. This one act propels Liesel on a journey of discovery and petty theft — where she steals and reads every book she comes across! Her world, broadened by the written word, changes how she lives her life.
What Will You Read This Summer?
Despite which title you choose, you’ll find a memorable story that will impact your life. You will be left feeling thoughtful, hopeful and maybe with a touch of wonder. To sweeten the pot, Geauga County Public Library encourages you to take the 100 Book Challenge.
Reading broadens your horizons and makes you think. The right story can touch your soul in ways you cannot yet imagine.
What’s on your summer reading list? Which of our recommendations will you read? Write to drafts@geauganews.com and tell us about it!
Come Back Next Week for More Local Events in Northeast Ohio!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s edition of The Geauga News Weekly Round Up! Be sure to check in next week for more local news and events in your area. Have a great weekend!
Have an event you want to see in next week’s edition? E-mail us your story: drafts@geauganews.com
