Books of Interest Part 11: 2024 Summer/Fall Reading Recommendations
For the past few years, we have curated a list of our employees’ favorite reads. In celebration of National Books Lovers Day (August 9), we are excited to be back again with Part Eleven of our “Books of Interest.”
If you are looking to be captivated by a story or have already binged your way through your streaming watch list, here is a list of seven books recommended by our employees. To check out even more recommendations, here are parts 1-10 of our Books of Interest blog posts: Books of Interest Archives | Stillman 2 Cents.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
When I was in high school, I was never too excited about reading until I had to read The Great Gatsby. Something about the book just grabbed my attention and sucked me in. I loved how it was in the 1920s and it was about the glitzs and the glam. Gatsby came from nothing and made himself something. He wanted the girl but didn’t get her. After reading the book and watching the movie it made me fall in love with it more.
– Recommended by: Ally N.
Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn
Star Wars: Heir to the Empire takes place in the previous Star Wars canon, the Expanded Universe. Set 5 years after Return of the Jedi, the Rebellion has become the New Republic and has taken control of Coruscant, the galaxy’s capitol. As they continue to bring peace back to the galaxy and stop the remnants of the Empire, a new villain emerges. Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Imperial Navy returns from business outside the galaxy and unites the broken Empire. His tactical prowess begins to break the New Republic as mysterious enemies come after our heroes. Luke, Han, Leia, and friends must find a way to stop Thrawn and the strengthened Empire while navigating potential allies & enemies. Book 1 of the 3 book Thrawn Trilogy, followed by Dark Force Rising & The Last Command.
– Recommended by: Dakota B.
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
Usually, I’m not a fan of “real-world” fiction, as I prefer the magical and fantastical, but this book really spoke to me.
Clover Brooks has experienced death from a very young age. Because of this, as well as the unexpected passing of her grandfather, she became inspired to become a death doula—a professional who spends time with the dying. She doesn’t want anyone to have to pass from this world alone. While she keeps them company and helps carry out their final wishes, Clover doesn’t have a life outside of her job. After coming across a spunky and kind-hearted client, she learns how to take a step back from her introversion to evaluate the life she’s currently living and the life she wants to live. The Collected Regrets of Clover does a great job of balancing the introspection of the main character along with the plot. This book is about finding the courage to truly live your life, while also celebrating the complex and genuine human experience.
– Recommended by: Julia B.
The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months That Changed the World by A.J. Baime
Heroes are often defined as ordinary characters who get thrust into extraordinary circumstances, and through courage and a dash of luck, cement their place in history. Chosen as FDR’s fourth-term vice president for his well-praised work ethic, good judgment, and lack of enemies, Harry S. Truman was the prototypical ordinary man, still considered an obscure Missouri politician. That is until he was shockingly thrust in over his head after FDR’s sudden death. At the climactic moments of the Second World War, Truman had to play judge and jury during the founding of the United Nations, the Potsdam Conference, the Manhattan Project, the Nazi surrender, the liberation of concentration camps, and the decision to drop the bomb and end World War II. Tightly focused, meticulously researched, and using documents not available to previous biographers, The Accidental President escorts readers into the situation room with Truman during this tumultuous, history-making 120 days, when the stakes were high and the challenges even higher.
– Recommended by: Cristy M.
The Last Dying Light: A Novel of Belisarius (The Last of the Romans Book 1) by William Havelock
This book follows Varus. He was raised as a slave in the emperor’s palace in Constantinople, shortly after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, during the reign of Justinian. After proving himself in battle and winning his freedom, Varus must navigate the strange politics of the time and embrace his former master’s dream of returning the empire to its former glory. But with mysterious invaders arriving from the east, his mission might fail before it starts.
– Recommended by: Chris L.
She Started It by Sian Gilbert
She Started It by Sian Gilbert was a recent read that I COULD NOT put down. This book will remind you that it is never too late to face consequences for your actions, even if you have not thought about them since high school. Set on a remote island during Poppy’s bachelorette party she surprises 4 girls from her past with the all-expenses-paid trip and the joy of being her bridesmaids. Will going along with that be all fun and games? Probably not, but all expenses on a private island who can pass that up? These ladies are in for the trip of a lifetime. Twists and turns are in every chapter and an ending that I never saw coming. If you love a good suspense/thriller I bet you would pick up She Started It and not put it back down either. Be careful, it might make you think about your own past choices.
– Recommended by: Lindsey S.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez does such a wonderful job combining real life with romance. Her characters are always written as full-dimensional people who struggle with real things—and that makes it all the more satisfying when they grab ahold of love.
The main characters in this book, Emma and Justin, both suffer the same curse: the people they date go end up finding their soulmates in their next relationships. Hoping to break the curse, they decide to date long enough and well enough to set each other free. But things don’t go quite as expected. Real feelings and real life try to get in the way of their plan. Through it all, Emma and Justin confront their fears, confess truths about their lives, come to new insights, and navigate their way to true connection.
This novel has it all: banter and stakes, hope and fear, summer fun, and emotional depth. Just for the Summer is the third book in the Part of World series, with Part of World and Yours Truly being the first and second books. While this book may have some overlapping characters from the first two books, each of these stories are standalone and can be read in any order.
– Recommended by: Jennifer K.