For Readers: Blog

Books with buzz

Everyone is abuzz about the historic cicada emergence! Whether you’re aghast or a fan, these books with buggy titles will help you get in on the insect action. 

When Cicadas Cry by Caroline Cleveland is a legal thriller with an atmospheric South Carolina setting. When an attorney looking to redeem himself takes on a seemingly impossible murder case, his PI partner finds connections to a gruesome cold case. As old secrets surface and racial tensions rise, the small town reaches its boiling point. Fans of John Grisham should check out this debut author. [e-book | print]

Locust Lane by Stephen Amidon is a gritty suspense story of drama, wealth, and guilt. At the heart of a tangled web of secrets and accusations lies the truth about who killed twenty-year-old Eden. As her friends are arrested or try to shift blame, and their affluent parents try to influence the narrative, this gripping crime novel with plenty of flawed characters will keep you on the edge of your seat. [e-book | print]

Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor’s The Dragonfly Sea is a hidden gem for readers looking for exquisite writing. This lyrical coming-of-age story centers around Ayaana, a girl living in coastal Kenya, and her longing for family ties. First looking for a father figure amidst turmoil at home and later voyaging to China, Ayanna’s search for belonging makes for a complex and poignant tale. [e-book | print]

Is that buzz in the air the cicadas or Neely Tubati Alexander’s Love Buzz? Part romance and part personal journey, this heartwarming story is all about serendipity. Serena connects with a charismatic stranger on a trip to New Orleans, but she can’t shake the thought of him back in Seattle. As Serena reevaluates the life she’s built and tries to track him down, she has to decide what she’ll sacrifice to be truly happy. [e-book | print]

Seirian Sumner is ready to convert you to team wasp in Endless Forms. This well-researched read offers a digestible and in-depth look at the fascinating lives and social structures of the humble wasp. With a light touch of humor, Sumner is determined to convince even the biggest wasp-skeptic of the irreplaceable role they play in our ecosystem. [e-book | print | audiobook | large type]

Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman blends memoir, travel writing, and nature writing as it follows the annual migration of the beloved monarch butterfly. Readers get a front row seat to Dykman’s nine month bicycle journey as she travels with the monarchs from Mexico to Canada and back. Inspiring and educational, Dykman shares her love for the butterflies and offers portraits of the intriguing characters she meets along the way. [e-book | print]

⏤Laura