Manchester Librarians Offer Summer Reading Selections

The Ocean County Library's adult summer reading program, “Novel Destinations,” is in full swing. 

Patrons are looking for some great summer reads that fit the criteria of the library’s program, and Senior Librarian Jolene Smith has many suggestions.

“Right now I am reading 'Dreams of Joy' by the popular author, Lisa See. It is a continuing saga that began with the book 'Shanghai Girls,' which is on the recommended list for the summer program,” Smith said.

“'Dreams of Joy' begins in the city of Los Angeles and the characters travel back to Shanghai. It is the newest book by Lisa See and it is really great,” she added.

There is also a suggested reading list on the back of the passport that patrons receive when they sign up for the summer reading program and on the website, Smith said.

“A lot of people have read 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' series by Stieg Larsen," Smith said of the series which takes place in Stockholm, Sweden. "Some people have said the first book was the hardest to get through, but I really enjoyed all three."

This trilogy includes “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” “The Girl Who Played With Fire” and “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.”

Smith also recommended a book chronicling a group's walk across the United States in support of women's suffrage called "The Daughter's Walk" by Jane Kirkpatrick.

Smith has been a librarian for 22 years — 10 years in the Toms River branch and the last twelve years in Manchester. What she enjoys most about her job is interacting with people on a daily basis.

“I really enjoy the people," she said. "Working with, talking to and helping anyone in the library. I work on programming for senior citizens and help them to locate books. I also answer all general questions and lend a friendly ear."

Reference Library Assistant Donna Risner also had a few suggestions of her own.   

“I am currently working on displays for fiction around the world. Irish fiction is very popular right now-they fly right off of the shelves,” Risner said.

Some of the recommended Irish fiction books are “Minding Frankie” by Maeve Binchy and “False Mermaid” by Erin Hart. 

“Many mysteries also take place in other countries, which would satisfy the reading program requirements,” Risner added.

Suggested mysteries from around the world are “The Case of the Man who Died Laughing” by Tarquin Hall, which is set in India and “Falling More Slowly” by Peter Helton which occurs in England.

More information, including a complete list of the "Novel Destinations" selections is available online.