For Readers: Blog

Destination reading

Leave your daily life behind without leaving your home by picking up one of these far-flung reads! From our own national parks to adventures at the ends of the earth, it’s east to get lost in these fascinating locales.

A. J. Landau’s national parks thriller series opens at the Statue of Liberty in Leave No Trace, and promises to have stunning settings in the future. After a devastating explosion at the monument, a National Park Service agent teams up with an FBI explosives expert to take down the terrorist threat and protect a witness. Thriller fans who like tense and action-packed reads will be impressed, and get the added bonus of learning about our national parks. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa whisks readers away to nineteenth century Sri Lanka. When a dark force starts terrorizing the village and the local colonizers blame her spirit worker father, Amara must investigate the attacks to clear his name and figure out if her alarming dreams are connected. This creepy, atmospheric, and lush supernatural coming-of-age story draws on Sri Lankan folklore and walks the line between thriller and horror. [e-book | print]

Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook is a richly detailed historical novel revolving around a mysterious death on an Arctic expedition and the sister who was left behind. When Maud receives word of her sister Constance’s death at sea, she immediately suspects foul play and uses Constance’s diary to help her uncover the truth. Whether describing the grimy streets of Victorian London or the perilous journey north, this book vividly captures far-off times and places. [e-book | print]

Yangsze Choo‘s The Fox Wife is a mix of historical fiction, mystery, and fantasy set in 1908 Manchuria. After a body is found in the snow and rumors of a fox spirit swirl, a retired detective with a supernatural skill for finding the truth is called in. Meanwhile, a mysterious woman with her own connection to fox spirits is on a mission of revenge, and slowly their stories start to intertwine. With complex characters and a mystical atmosphere, this read has something for everyone. [e-book | print | audiobook]

For some real-life adventure, Douglas Preston has gathered his previously published works on treasures, tombs, and wild crimes in The Lost Tomb. Preston recounts his worldwide escapades as a journalist in these engaging essays and articles, taking readers on fascinating journeys that have inspired Preston’s beloved novels. If you’re looking for a good listen for your commute, the combination of digestible stories and great narration makes this a winner. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Still not far-flung enough for you? The Six by Loren Grush takes you to the moon and back, sharing the stories of the first American women astronauts. This thoroughly-researched yet accessible book follows the six women who were selected out of a pool of 8,000 astronaut candidates in 1978. Dealing with intense, and often sexist, media scrutiny on top of their grueling training, these inspiring trailblazers stepped beyond their already impressive careers to leave an indelible mark on American science. [e-book | print | audiobook | large type]

⏤Laura