Podcasts about summer reading

In this special summer reading episode, we're sharing some of our favorite recent reads that will inspire you to kick back with a good book on your break. From magical realism to historical romance, we discuss the books that have surprised and delighted us this year, and we share recommendations for professional development and classroom inspiration. Plus, we give an exciting update on our upcoming book, Structure and Spark, and why we're passionate about helping teachers navigate the different seasons of the school year. If you're looking for great book recommendations to add to your summer reading stack, this episode is full of ideas!Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/summer-reading-list-for-teachers/Books Mentioned:The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India HoltonClassroom Engagement: The Unwritten Code by Jen FosterHow to Write a Love Story by Catherine WalshThe Together Teacher: Plan Ahead, Get Organized, Save Time by Maia Heyck-MerlinThe Smallest of Joys by Diane ShifferThe Someday Garden by Ashley PostonOne and Only by Maurene GooLady Tremaine by Rachel HochhauserThe Joyful Classroom by Lynn Bechtel and Kristen VincentDo I Have Your Attention? Understanding Memory Constraints and Maximizing Learning by Blake HarvardDolly All the Time by Annabel MonaghanThis Book Made Me Think of You by Libby PagePreorder our book Structure and SparkMore Resources:Kindle / Tablet standReading Journey appJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 71. The Easy Way Teachers Can Learn This Summer: 10 PD Books We LoveEpisode 65. Make an Easy Plan For Your Perfect Teacher Summer: Recovery and ReadinessEpisode 130. The 2 Things Teachers Need to Refuel This SummerEpisode 197. A Teacher Summer Self Care and Recovery Plan That Doesn't Feel Like WorkMentioned in this episode:Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are using the Tired Teacher Summer Planner this month to help plan the kind of summer they need: https://secondstorywindow.net/trial

The God of all creation is close to his creation. He is closer than you realize and you are loved by him more than you ever dreamed.

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (06/12/26), Hank brings up that as the summer months come along, people tend to read when they normally would not. He goes over some of the many benefits of reading in general, as well as the importance of reading Scripture. Hank also mentions that June is an important month, as it is the end of the fiscal year for our ministry at the Christian Research Institute, and encourages listeners to support the ministry so that we may continue to touch lives for time and for eternity.Hank also answers the following questions:Deuteronomy 24:1-4 talks about divorce and remarriage, calling illegitimate remarriages an abomination. Is this true for today? Judy - Oklahoma City, OK (4:23)Is it possible to call yourself a believer of Jesus Christ yet not be a disciple? Anna - Tacoma, WA (15:11)Can you explain the different levels of heaven? Anthony - Longview, TX (20:32)What is your understanding of the nature of God? How can one know the nature of God? Reginald - OH (22:13)

Last week the Women's Podcast book club gathered for a live event in Chapters Bookstore in Dublin to discuss what books they'll be packing with them on their summer holidays. Celebrated author Claire Keegan was the special guest who joined book clubbers Róisín Ingle, Bernice Harrison, Ann Ingle and Niamh Towey for the event, alongside an audience of podcast listeners. Keegan spoke about the novel and two short stories that she hopes listeners will enjoy and she treated the audience to a reading from The Great Gatsby.You can find the full list of recommendations here: https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/the-womens-podcast/the-womens-podcast-book-club-summer-reading-recommendations-with-claire-keegan/The Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldGold Watch by John McGahernLast Day of Summer by Ian McEwan, a short story from his collection, First Love, Last Rites.Famesick by Lena DunhamFew and Far Between by Jan CarsonPortrait of a Lady by Henry JamesYesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeThe Keeper by Tana FrenchThe Spare Room by Helen GarnerExcellent Women by Barbara PymJohn of John by Douglas StuartThe Things We Never Say by Elizabeth StroutLand by Maggie O'FarrellThe Make Believe by Hannah MurrayTatty by Christine Dwyer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Thursday's show: STAAR test results are out. We learn how Houston-area schools fared. And we find out if the City of Houston passed its $7.5 billion proposed budget, which would include a $5 trash pickup fee.Also this hour: As we've grown more and more dependent on technology, some of us are growing increasingly wary of the tradeoffs it requires. We discuss the reasons why with Houston Chronicle technology writer Dwight Silverman. Then, school may be out, but reading doesn't have to be. We find out how a local reading challenge is encouraging kids to turn more pages and how adults can discover new books and community events at their neighborhood library.And, ahead of a June 25 concert at The Heights Theater, we revisit a 2024 conversation with Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter and author Mary Gauthier.Watch

Looking for your next summer read? Southern Oregon librarians and booksellers recommend books for Pride Month and summer, from queer history and historical fiction to romance, satire and nonfiction.

Take a listen as Jamie and Mariah discuss Summer Reading fun and their most recent reading recommendations!Books mentioned:We Burned so Bright by T.J. KluneThe Lost Bookshop by Evie WoodsHow to Survive in the Woods by Kat RosenfieldBlack Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn IveyHeartwood by Amity GaigeThe Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich The King's Ransom by Janet Evanovich 

Steve chats with Catherine Kurtz, author of the new book Feast, about how her painting and food writing skills contributed to her first novel, why food is the perfect vehicle to connect readers, the feeling of hope at the heart of the book, and a few anachronisms she could not help but include in the … Continue reading 313: Feast by Catherine Kurtz – Summer Reading Spectacular 2026

In this episode of Grandma's Silver, Allie Kochinsky sits down with lifestyle creator and new author Chassity Evans to discuss her debut novel Pink Sand Summer, and the relationship between place, memory, creativity, and storytelling.Known for her thoughtfully curated lifestyle content and love of coastal living, Chassity has spent years creating visual narratives inspired by the places she loves. With Pink Sand Summer, she takes that storytelling a step further, transforming the atmosphere and emotional pull of Harbour Island into a work of fiction.Together, the women explore how places shapes narrative, why summer stories continue to resonate with readers, and how nostalgia functions as both a feeling and a creative tool. Chassity also shares what surprised her most about writing a novel, the challenges of moving from visual storytelling to long-form fiction, and the role memory plays in building characters and emotional depth.In this episode, they discuss:The journey from creator to novelistThe inspiration behind the bookHarbour Island as a creative influencePlace, memory, and storytellingWhy readers are drawn to summer fictionBuilding characters through emotional detailThe emotional power of coastal settingsFor readers who love summer novels, coastal fiction, place-based storytelling, and romance, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how the places we love become part of the stories we tell.RESOURCES:Follow Chassity on Instagram here.Buy the book on Amazon!If you enjoy Grandma's Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

It's almost the official dog days of summer, and today we're sharing with you some great reading suggestions to plan out your reading for these long hot days. We're going to tell you about what's new and hot this summer, what's on our reading lists, plus some suggestions for titles that can help you complete our Adult Summer Bingo challenge. And don't miss joining us for the first official podcast buddy read! Ellyn's Currently Reading | American Fantasy by Emma Straub, Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel, The Wild Beneath by Kelly Anderson, & Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara Amanda's Currently Reading |  Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, How to Cheat Your Own Death by Kristen Perrin, & Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Join us in our first official Bubbles & Books buddy read! We're reading True Grit by  Hottest New Releases Coming Out this Summer June: Land by Maggie O'Farrell Whistler by Ann Patchett The Children by Melissa Albert Harvest Season by Brynn Weaver June 9 It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell June 23 July: Country People by Daniel Mason July 7 Helpless by Jessica Knoll July 7 The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren July 14 Make Nice by Ryan Effgen July 14 Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst July 28 Daggermouth by HM Wolfe July 28 August: The Unknown by Riley Sager Aug 4 Dreamland by Olivie Blake Aug 11 A Tender Age by Chang Rae-Lee Aug 11 God's Country by William Kent Krueger Aug 18 Daggerbound by T Kingfisher Aug 25 What we're looking forward to reading this summer: Ellyn: Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Barker, The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig & Helpless by Jessica Knoll (July 7) Amanda: Modern Lovers by Emma Straub, Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett, & Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger  ______________________________________________________________________ Make sure to subscribe and rate the Bubbles & Books Podcast. And don't forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on Instagram: @bubblesandbookspodcast Follow Dog-Eared Books on Instagram: @dogearedbooksames Shop Dog-Eared Books and pick up your books in store or have shipped HERE. Interested in audiobooks? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE. Interested in e-books? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE. Learn more about a Dog-Eared Books book subscription HERE. Visit us! www.dogearedbooksames.com

June brings the start of CADL's summer reading program, plus we talk Pride picks and listens for Audiobook Month.  Cheryl's Books:  Lolly Willowes: Or, the Loving Huntsmen—Sylvia Townsend WarnerMother Tongue: A Memoir—Sara NovićPersepolis: The Story of a Childhood Marjane SatrapiMarch Sisters: On Life, Death, and Little Women—Kate Bolick, Jenny Zhang, Carmen Maria Machado and Jane SmileyMentioned: A Room of One's Own—Virginia WoolfCatherine, Called Birdy—Karen CushmanTrue Biz—Sara Nović Persepolis (Film)Persepolis 2—Marjane Satrapi Jessica's Books:   Dearly Departed—Chip PonsPicky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History—Helen Zoe VeitLet Us Play: Winning the Battle for Gender Diverse Athletes—Harrison Browne & Rachel BrowneMentioned: Heated Rivalry—Rachel ReidUnder the Whispering Door—TJ KluneIn the Lives of Puppets—TJ KluneDeaf Utopia—And a Love Letter to a Way of Life—Nyle DiMarcoThe Quiet Ear: An Investigation of Missing Sound: A Memoir—Raymond AntrobusAvi has a few medieval titles including:  The Book Without Words and the Crispin series.  Mari's Books:   Rock Star: How Ursula Marvin Mapped Moon Rocks and Meteorites—Sandra Neil WallaceThe Queen's Granddaughter—Diane ZahlerThe Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy—Angela CervantesMentioned: The Silent Child—Chris Overton Give Me a Sign—Anna Sortino

CANADA READS INSPIRED 2026 SUMMER READING BINGO CHALLENGE: Rebecca and Tara have filled in the boxes with books they've read or that are on their TBR (the Bingo card and list of titles will be pinned to Rebecca and Tara's Instagram accounts) The Challenge will begin June 5 and run through September 5, 2026 When you complete a bingo line, dm Rebecca (@canadareadsinspired) or Tara (@onabranchreads) on Instagram or email them at  craspod2019@gmail.com with a screenshot or list of titles You may enter more than one Bingo line; one completed line equals one entry If you have already read a book on the card, you can count it towards your bingo At the end of the Challenge, they will draw the name of one winner and that person will receive a $50 gift card from the independent bookstore of their choice. The giveaway is not affiliated with YouTube or Instagram 2026 BINGO TITLES:  Small Ceremonies by Kyle Edwards – Indigenous fiction, 368 pages Breathing is How Some People Stay Alive by Alison Gadsby — short stories, 200 pages The Distance of a Shout by Michael Ondaatje – poetry, 240 pages Nowhere by Jon Claytor – graphic novel, 445 pages Doubles by Nora Gold – novella, 86 pages Lies I Told My Sister by Louise Ells – literary fiction, 268 pages Opposite Sully's Gym by Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson – mystery, 320 pages Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin – cozy mystery, 329 pages Lilac People by Milo Todd – LGBT historical fiction, 303 pages The Hunger We Pass Down by Jen Sookfong Lee — horror, 367 pages Finding Flora by Elinor Florence – historical fiction, 384 pages All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whittaker — crime fiction, 576 pages I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together by Maurice Vellekoop – graphic novel, 496 pages Vanished Beyond the Map by Adam Shoalts – non-fiction, 288 pages Legendary Frybread Drive-In by Indigenous authors – YA short stories, 352 pages Nosy Parker by Lesley Crewe – historical fiction, 264 pages Outsider by Brett Popplewell – non-fiction, 384 pages Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson — memoir, humour, 363 pages Palm Meridian by Grace Flahive – LGBT romance Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey — literary fiction,320 pages Pennies by Lora Senf – middle grade horror, 384 pages Chasing Summer by Frankie Scott – romance, 368 pages Suddenly Light by Nina Dunic – short stories, 240 pages Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo — literary fiction, 498 pages If you have any comments or suggestions that you would like to share with Rebecca and Tara or you are interested in joining their monthly virtual book talk, please email them at craspod2019@gmail.com  

We've collected a handful of great summer reading ideas across several categories that I'm going to share with you today, along with my own personal ideas. Plus, we have some reading questions, kind of like Office Hours, that I'll sprinkle throughout. We're going to talk about reading vibes, ways to read more, permission to read what works for you, and lots more. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Get this month's Book List by signing up here or peeking through the archive Bookmark strap Episode #471: Easier Summer Chores for Families Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it or record your idea and share your voice on the show. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We get an update on a ballot measure in Shasta County that could overhaul how their election system runs. Plus, how funding for the arts stacks up in the state and why artists are advocating for more. Finally, 10 books to check out this summer.

Library districts use reading challenges to keep folks engaged with books during summer break. Also: a local barber writes books for his child clientele.

Join us as we take a look at a former touchstone of Looney animation that stayed in the late 30's/early 40's with books that come to life! It's Frank Tashlin's world for two of these with 'You're An Education' and 'Have You Got Any Castles?' and we look at a Clampett effort with the precursor of Book Revue with 'A Coy Decoy.'Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this week's edition of Reflections, Torch's resources Curator Janette Sturgis recommends some of the latest arrivals in the Torch library. Marilyn reflects on the Bible story of Gideon, and in this thought of the week, James Brookman tells us a funny story about an inscription on a gravestone. To contact Torch Trust with any comments or feedback, call 01858 438260 email info@torchtrust.org or visit torchtrust.org.

The month of June this year will be our Summer Reading Series. This year we will glean from Mark Batterson's book A Million Little Miracles. We'll take what Batterson shares in his book, weigh it against the word of God, and explore together how high God is, close God is, and good God is. We'll see that our gratitude should be in him, and the more we know these things about him, the stronger our faith can grow. Who is God to you? How big is God? Do you realize the miracles that are happening all around you everyday that reveal to you just how big God is? God's ways are higher than ours and his thoughts are higher than ours. We often make our problem with God a head problem when in reality it's a heart problem.

New charges are coming after a fraud investigation at Tulsa Public Schools.Printing of the Oklahoma Today magazine is coming to an end this year.We have some recommendations for summer reading from Oklahoma authors.You can find the KOSU Daily wherever you get your podcasts, you can also subscribe, rate us and leave a comment.You can keep up to date on all the latest news throughout the day at KOSU.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram at KOSU Radio.This is The KOSU Daily, Oklahoma news, every weekday.

June is the month for dads, so a few staff members have taken some time to tell us a bit about their's. It's also the start of our Summer Reading Program! Tessa and Stefanie talk a bit about what Summer Reading is and how to sign up and earn points. Then Stefanie starts your Summer Reading Journey off with a Random Lines tradition: reading from a book in the public domain. Listen to Stefanie as she reads an excerpt from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, and earn yourself a point towards a prize in our Summer Reading Program. Sign up for Summer Reading at mybcpl.beanstack.org. Happy Reading!

Ladies and gentlemen, grab your donuts and turn up the volume for the June 5th edition of Good Morning Woodland! We're kicking things off with a huge celebration—26 years of marriage for our host, who shared the "meet cute" story of a college dorm hallway and a 1999 proposal at Elizabeth Park! Speaking of weddings, the playlist is set with everything from Frank Sinatra and Jermaine Jackson to a "popular-at-the-time" Eric Benet track!Now, let's hear it for our stars of the day, including Staff Member of the Year Andrea Constanti and Paraeducator of the Year Sheila Brennan! In the news, things are getting futuristic with gene editing and AI bots taking over the web, though we've still got some "old school" drama with illegal hissing cockroaches in Australia! Over at the sports desk, our golf team swung into 5th place in the NVL, and the softball crew is ready for a big home game against Cromwell!Finally, get ready to "Look for the Good" with a refreshed summer reading program where students can swap traditional book talks for video reflections! Whether you're hitting the Big Dipper fundraiser or charging those Chromebooks for exams, keep it locked here! Now, let's get this party started!

Join librarians from the adult, children's and teen departments as we cover this year's clubs and learn how reading this summer can enter you into a raffle to win amazing prizes and access to fun experiences. Sign up and unearth a story with reading! And remember: audiobooks and graphic novels count, too!

I LOVE IRISH LITERATURE. And like so many of you, I love the work of Maggie O'Farrell – so when I heard her new book was very Irish (set in the aftermath of The Great Hunger in the late 19th century) I wondered if she'd be willing to come on the pod to do one of our favorite things here on Culture Study: offer very specific book recommendations. Stay tuned for a delightful conversation that will add a solid half dozen books to your TBR list. Thanks to the sponsors of today's episode: Go to  https://zbiotics.com/CULTURESTUDY and use CULTURESTUDY at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Use code CULTURE at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a free gift with your first purchase! Thanks to Article for sponsoring this podcast! If you're in the market for a beautiful new sofa, dining table or bed, head over to https://www.article.com/ Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/CULTURE to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. Show Notes: You can buy Maggie O'Farrell's new book Land here: https://bookshop.org/a/56144/9780593320648 Links for the 30+ books we recommend are available for paid subscribers.   We're currently looking for your questions for future episodes about: THE NEXUS OF LLMS/A.I. AND CREATIVITY: A.I. Boosters argues that LLMS can free us for more creative endeavors — or "facilitate" our creative work. THOUGHTS???? (This one's with the brilliant Vauhini Vara, whose work grapples with these questions in a way I've never seen before). Hopefully this week's piece on how A.I. keeps wasting my G-D time will spark some questions on your end. WOMEN'S FITNESS INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX. As our co-host Zoe Rom puts it: "Women are told they need to do fasting, creatine, lifting, fueling, and recovery differently than men. Sometimes the science backs it. More often the "different" is a marketing mechanism: invent a gendered problem, sell a gendered protocol, collect the markup." What's going on here? Where have you seen it, what pisses you off about it... take this wherever you'd like. HOW HAVING A FAMILY BECAME SO DAUNTING (and DIFFICULT). Anna Louie Sussman is coming on the pod to talk about her incredible new book on the feeling of "impossibility" when it comes to contemporary family. We can talk about fertility, cost, equal partnership, affordability, safety, climate grief, so many things. Anything you need advice for/want musings about for the AAA segment. You can ask about anything — it's literally the name of the segment. Join the ranks of paid subscribers and get bonus content, access to the discussion threads, ad-free episodes, and the knowledge that you're supporting an indie pod trying to make its way in the world.Got a question to submit, a prompt for Ask Anne Anything, or an idea for a future episode? Tell us here.Catch up on everything else happening in the Culture Study universe here.Transcripts will be available here within 24 hours of publishing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

So many of us look forward to the summer season of reading and writing: longer days that could equate to longer stretches of reading, bright skies and patches of sunshine that invite writing in nature and the pace of the season that makes everything feel a bit less rushed and a bit more to enjoy. But sometimes, the summer reading season can become hijacked by goals: reading a certain number of books, writing across a certain number of pages, keeping up with all the beautiful people on Instagram who seem to read and write MUCH more you do and even have time to create beautiful posts about it. Today's episode is about reclaiming our summer reading and writing season and embracing tiny, restorative reading and writing rituals over setting metrics-based (even if all in good fun!) goals and outcomes. Here's what you'll find inside:First, we'll talk about why these tiny rituals are so important to our wellbeing and I'll offer a few guiding questions to consider as you plan for own summer season of reading, writing and living. Reflect silently, talk in the air or grab your notebook, if you can. Here they are:* What kind of reading/writing life do I want to have?* What helps me feel grounded?* When do I feel most like myself?* What tiny practice could support me in feeling this way?Then, I'll share a simple framework for creating tiny rituals of our own. Here's a sneak peek into what it is:time + place + tiny practice + feeling= restorative reading and writing ritualsHere are two examples:* After dinner, I'll sit outside for 10 minutes and read to end my day feeling calm.* When I wake up, I'll sit at my kitchen table with a cup of coffee and write in my notebook to feel present and intentional for the day ahead.This episode is exactly what you need to welcome a season of true restoration made possible through reading and writing in ways that work for you and feel really good, too. But there's more. =)If you're a member of my private Restorative Reading & Writing Circle here on Substack, then you're getting more in just a few days: a printable to walk you through creating tiny restorative rituals for yourself this summer. Here it is!Once you've listened, I'd love to know what YOUR tiny, restorative reading and writing rituals are. Share them in the comments and let's help each other celebrate them!Let's Work Together!I love to connect with others around our shared love of reading and writing.Here are some ways we can work together to create a life you love where restorative reading and writing is at the center of it all:

Summer is here, as is the Novi Public Library's Summer Reading Program! Join Damon and our Library's Director Julie Farkas as they lay out how to engage as you work through some good books this summer.novilibrary.org/summerreading

Plus: What to see, hear, and do in Las Vegas this week.

In this week's edition of the 23 Podcast, Fr. Jeff and Parker both admit to one another that they are occasionally bad at making time for reading, but this is something that they will both challenge themselves to do more, this summer especially. Also, the Gospel reading for this week is read and unpacked to conclude the show, as always. Listen now for your weekly dose of faith and fun!

In this episode of YMU, Danny, Isaiah, Josh, and Rebecca discuss how various books and authors have deepened their faith, as well as books they most recommend to youth ministers and students. With schools out for the summer, having extra resources such as reading suggestions for students, is a great way to continue to minister to your students and leaders even if many of them are traveling for the summer months. Best New Books For Youth Ministers: Rooted's 2025 Book Awards - Rooted Ministry Best New Books for Teenagers: Rooted 2025 Book Awards - Rooted Ministry Preparing for College - Rooted Ministry 10ofThose.com - Great resource to buy books in bulk orders Foundational Books for Leaders Josh Hussung: The Pursuit of Holiness (Jerry Bridges): Provided categories for understanding the battle against sin; now a required read for his interns. The Dangerous Duty of Delight (John Piper): A foundational text on finding joy in God as a means of glorifying Him. Isaiah Marshall: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: Inspiring story of faith and justice despite immense suffering. Danny Kwon: Prodigal God (Tim Keller): Shifted perspective from the younger son to the older, legalistic son, helping him minister to those in a fundamentalist church context. Becca Heck: Prodigal God (Tim Keller): Pivotal read that introduced the full gospel of grace, countering a fundamentalist upbringing. Hinds' Feet on High Places (Hannah Hurnard): An allegorical journey of following the Good Shepherd through life's challenges. Recommended Books for Students Gifting Strategy: Becca Heck gifts graduating seniors a book with a personal note and a 5-year ""keep"" rule. Rationale: Accounts for students' spiritual growth during college, ensuring the book is available when they are ready for it. Josh Hussung: Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis): Strong apologetics for Christian students. The Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis): Insightful allegory on spiritual warfare. Don't Waste Your Life (John Piper): A common graduation gift from his church, often appreciated more after college. Danny Kwon: Prodigal God (Tim Keller): Easy-to-read, thin, and non-intimidating for senior high students. Isaiah Marshall: The Wounded Healer (Henri Nouwen): Helps students embrace vulnerability and pain as a path to effective ministry. Ecclesiastes: Puts life's pursuits in perspective, revealing their meaninglessness apart from God. Becca Heck: Ragamuffin Gospel (Brennan Manning): Opened up a world of grace, especially for students from sheltered backgrounds. Prayer in the Night (Tish Harrison Warren): A solid resource for processing grief, relevant for students facing major life transitions. Life of the Beloved (Henri Nouwen): A small book on understanding one's identity as a beloved child of God. The Art of Self-Forgetfulness (Tim Keller): A classic on humility. Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Kicking off the 2026 Circulating Ideas Summer Reading Spectacular, Steve chats with humorist and librarian Hayley DeRoche, author of the new book, Dress Your Baby in Sage and Taupe: a Handbook for the Sad Beige Parent, about the “sad beige” parenting aesthetic, how a Werner Herzog joke went viral, the deeper cultural critique of consumerism … Continue reading 312: Dress Your Baby in Sage and Taupe by Hayley DeRoche – Summer Reading Spectacular 2026

The return of "What About?" Wednesdays! Text us your questions for apologist and pastor Robby Lashua!Today:There is no such thing as "settled science".  By its very definition, science cannot "prove" anything.  While it can "disprove" and show something to be false, the impetus of scientific methodology is to continue to accumulate observations and then classify that new information in such a way as to produce reliable predictions which, eventually, can become hypotheses.But, science is wont to continue collecting these observations -- if it is credible science, it must never stop -- and to account for those additional observations.So, why does the US National Park Service suggest that the Grand Canyon was formed over millions of years by erosion caused by the Colorado River when there is near unanimous agreement within the US Geologic Survey that such would not be possible?  Further, why is the US Geologic Survey content in reporting that the "millions and millions of years" narrative is not supported by the Canyon's geology?  "Unconformities are gaps in the geologic record that occur when rocks or sediments are eroded away and time elapses before new deposition occurs. New sediment eventually forms new rock layers on top of the eroded surface, but there is a period of geologic time that is not represented. You can think of unconformities as missing 'pages' in the book of the geologic record."Where did those pages go?  Or, is it possible that they were never written?Background:In the summer of 2016, the annual Crusaders Charge into Summer Reading campaign introduced us to Russ Miller, a storied and established Biblical creationist who lives, believe it or not, off-the-grid in a crater in northern Arizona.  If that were not crazy enough, during that summer, Miller introduced us to his book, "The Cost", and he made two audacious claims.First, Russ Miller claimed that the universe and all of creation was established by God in six 24-hour days, less than 10,000 years ago.  He claimed he had scientific and scriptural evidence to back up his claims.Second, Miller claimed that if our nation continued to deny God the creator and the concept of "Imago Dei" -- that we are created in the image and likeness of God, on purpose, and for a purpose -- our culture would go into a freefall, losing all concept of right and wrong, falling into chaos and disorder.We are paying what Miller called "The Cost" of losing track of who we are and whose we are.To learn more about Russ Miller and his organization, "Creation and Evolution Science Ministries", please follow this link.To get a copy of "Consider the Cost", you can pick up a free copy of the book in the three offices of Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona or you can order a copy by clicking here. "Kingdom Culture Conversations" is a podcast created by Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona.For more information on Northwest Christian School, visit:  https://www.ncsaz.org/To reach out to Geoff Brown, please email gbrown@ncsaz.org or you can reach him by cell phone:  (623)225-5573.

GUEST Matthew Lee Anderson … coming to Pgh: Trinity Seminary June 10. Summer Reading … GUEST Kathy Keller ... formerly served as ass't dir of communications for Redeemer Presby Church in NYC ... author of "Jesus,Justice, & Gender Roles: A Case for Gender Roles in Ministry" and co-author with her husband, Tim, of "The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment w the Wisdom of God” … new book based on Tim’s sermons is “What Is Wrong with the World?: The Surprising, Hopeful Answer to the Question We Cannot Avoid”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Check It Out is back! In our relaunch premiere, James, Jackie, and Eva introduce the new video version of St. Tammany Parish Library's long-running podcast and share what listeners and viewers can expect from future episodes, including community guests, authors, musicians, staff conversations, and our new podcast book club. This episode kicks things off with a look at the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge: Unearth a Story. We're joined by library staff members Jenny, Jillian, and Frank to talk about Summer Reading programs for kids, teens, and adults, kickoff parties at the Madisonville and Slidell branches, dinosaur-themed prizes, teen events, adult programs, America 250 events, and the new Makerspace at the Madisonville Branch. Plus, we test out some Summer Reading prizes, discuss favorite dinosaurs, and preview our upcoming Book Club episode on The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker. Learn more about the library and Summer Reading: https://www.sttammanylibrary.org/summerreading Adult programs and resources: https://www.sttammanylibrary.org/adults Read along with us for our next Book Club episode, and send us your thoughts, questions, and comments about The Art of Hearing Heartbeats. https://www.sttammanylibrary.org/podcast

In this episode Abby and Melissa discuss our upcoming summer reading program, how to register, and our summer reading kickoff at First Fridays. They are also joined by Danny the Dino as he discusses summer reading and his favorite book Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff.

The Sacramento Public Library Authority Board of Directors met on May 28, 2026, to discuss the upcoming fiscal year budget, major challenges in library collection services, and several community milestones.   Friends of the Sacramento Public Library Update   Devon Graves, Vice President of the Friends of the library, reported a highly successful Big Day of Giving, which raised approximately $120,000, significantly exceeding the original $85,000 goal. He also highlighted the success of the "Booked-in" facility, which serves as a community hub for students and seniors. An "All Friends" meeting is scheduled for June 28, 2026, at the Carmichael Library.   Collection Services and Vendor Crisis   Michelle Gordon Hartman, Collection Services Department Manager, provided a "pull back the curtain" look at the massive administrative challenges caused by the sudden closure of Baker & Taylor, formerly the library's primary book vendor. Logistical Chaos: The library had to cancel and reorder tens of thousands of items and quickly onboard new vendors like Brodart and Ingram to ensure opening day collections for new branches were not delayed. Processing Complexity: The board learned about the intensive labor required for every item, including assigning call numbers, applying RFID tags, and creating complex bibliographic records. Digital Trends: Digital circulation is growing rapidly and is expected to break 5 million circulations this fiscal year. However, digital materials are significantly more expensive; for example, a $30 physical book can cost $80 in digital format and often comes with a limited two-year license. Operational Highlights and Construction Executive Director Peter announced that the library received an Epic Award for its new branding. He also highlighted the kickoff of the Summer Reading program on May 30th at Tahoe Park, featuring the theme "Read Freely". Construction projects for the Martin Luther King, North Sacramento Hagginwood, and Elk Grove libraries remain on schedule, with staff currently outfitting the King branch.   Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget   The Board approved the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes $65.3 million in revenues and $69.3 million in expenditures. Deficit and Diversions: The budget reflects a $4 million net use of fund balance. This is largely attributed to a $2 million diversion by the City of Sacramento to fund construction projects and a $1.1 million structural deficit on the city's side. Measure E: Approved by voters in 2024, Measure E provides a stable property tax revenue stream that consolidates previous measures and is adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Staffing Changes: The budget includes a net reduction of 3 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions. While 10 full-time positions were added, 13 limited-term library assistant positions were eliminated due to city budget constraints. Future Concerns   The Board discussed long-term sustainability, noting that maintaining 12 branches within the City of Sacramento may become problematic after 2029-2030 if structural deficits persist. Directors engaged in a robust debate regarding the use of Economic Uncertainty Reserves, which are currently maintained at 17% for the city and 35% for the county. While the library is currently meeting its reserve requirements, members requested future policy discussions on how to handle potential "harder cut scenarios" if economic conditions do not improve.

NLS Summer Reading Program: Unearth A Story: https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/summer-reading/  Kansas Instructional Resource Center: https://ksdetasn.org/kirc/kansas-instructional-resource-center Instagram: @kssbpodcast

What do we mean by a “good book”? Some people choose a holiday read that demands time and attention. Others pick rip-roaring novels that require little thought. Our bookworms discuss whether art has to be improving to be praiseworthy, and give genre fiction some much-needed air time. This is a full list of the books mentioned in the show:“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen“Red Rising” by Pierce BrownJack Reacher series by Lee Child“The Hunt for Red October” by Tom Clancy“Riders” and the other Rutshire chronicles by Jilly CooperDungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman“Middlemarch” by George Eliot“Ulysses” by James Joyce“Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel“The Diamond Age” by Neal StephensonThe Murderbot series by Martha Wells “The Martian” by Andy Weir“American Wife” by Curtis SittenfeldGuests and host:Catherine Nixey, culture and Britain correspondentTom Standage, Economist deputy editorAlexandra Suich Bass, culture editorAlex Hern, AI writerRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Fiction, romance, sci-fi, crime, thrillers, fantasy, romantasyJane Austen, Jilly Cooper, Curtis Sittenfeld, Lee ChildMatt Dinniman, Pierce Brown, Neal StephensonListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do we mean by a “good book”? Some people choose a holiday read that demands time and attention. Others pick rip-roaring novels that require little thought. Our bookworms discuss whether art has to be improving to be praiseworthy, and give genre fiction some much-needed air time. This is a full list of the books mentioned in the show:“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen“Red Rising” by Pierce BrownJack Reacher series by Lee Child“The Hunt for Red October” by Tom Clancy“Riders” and the other Rutshire chronicles by Jilly CooperDungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman“Middlemarch” by George Eliot“Ulysses” by James Joyce“Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel“The Diamond Age” by Neal StephensonThe Murderbot series by Martha Wells “The Martian” by Andy Weir“American Wife” by Curtis SittenfeldGuests and host:Catherine Nixey, culture and Britain correspondentTom Standage, Economist deputy editorAlexandra Suich Bass, culture editorAlex Hern, AI writerRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Fiction, romance, sci-fi, crime, thrillers, fantasy, romantasyJane Austen, Jilly Cooper, Curtis Sittenfeld, Lee ChildMatt Dinniman, Pierce Brown, Neal StephensonListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The return of "What About?" Wednesdays! Text us your questions for apologist and pastor Robby Lashua!Today:Arizona's Grand Canyon is considered the "Eighth Wonder of the World".  Epic is scale, it is difficult for most to imagine what momentous force produced this colossal, natural beauty."Most" does not include Biblical creationist Russ Miller.Miller describes the Grand Canyon as a "scar of God's judgment", a remnant of a universal deluge that overwhelmed the Earth during the time of Noah.  He points to Psalm 46:8: "Come behold the works of the Lord, what desolations He has made in the Earth.", and explains there is much, much more to the geology of the American southwest than we had been led to believe...Background:In the summer of 2016, the annual Crusaders Charge into Summer Reading campaign introduced us to Russ Miller, a storied and established Biblical creationist who lives, believe it or not, off-the-grid in a crater in northern Arizona.  If that were not crazy enough, during that summer, Miller introduced us to his book, "The Cost", and he made two audacious claims.First, Russ Miller claimed that the universe and all of creation was established by God in six 24-hour days, less than 10,000 years ago.  He claimed he had scientific and scriptural evidence to back up his claims.Second, Miller claimed that if our nation continued to deny God the creator and the concept of "Imago Dei" -- that we are created in the image and likeness of God, on purpose, and for a purpose -- our culture would go into a freefall, losing all concept of right and wrong, falling into chaos and disorder.Now, ten years later, Russ Miller is back and his warnings and worries have exploded into reality.  Our country and our culture are mired in confusion about truth, gender, marriage, race, identity, spirituality, and more.We are paying what Miller called "The Cost" of losing track of who we are and whose we are.This summer, we're going deep into creationism.  We are going to spend time with audacious individuals who believe in Young Earth, Old Earth, Theistic Evolution, Geocentricity, and, yes, a Flat Earth.  Our journey will be anchored in God's word as we enjoy some pretty amazing conversations.But, at the end of the day, diverse positions aside, every moment and every word of the KingdomCultureConversations.com episodes that we will hear this summer (between May 11th and September 28th) will be rooted in one truth:  You were created on purpose and for a purpose.To learn more about Russ Miller and his organization, "Creation and Evolution Science Ministries", please follow this link.To get a copy of "Consider the Cost", you can pick up a free copy of the book in the three offices of Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona or you can order a copy by clicking here. "Kingdom Culture Conversations" is a podcast created by Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona.For more information on Northwest Christian School, visit:  https://www.ncsaz.org/To reach out to Geoff Brown, please email gbrown@ncsaz.org or you can reach him by cell phone:  (623)225-5573.

Rabbi Vann

May 22nd, 2026 - Pastor Tim Westermeyer - #382 – Some Summer Reading Ideas

Have you voticed yet? Are you as ready to share your correct opinions as we are? Then you're in luck! It's time for the Fifth Annual Voticed Awards. Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique discuss their favorites and least favorites from the past season based on pure scientific fact and not just vibes.

The return of "What About?" Wednesdays! Text us your questions for apologist and pastor Robby Lashua!Today:As we press forward within "Consider the Cost" with author Russ Miller, he drops a bombshell:  "We have reached a point within the contemporary church wherein we will hardly allow iron to sharpen iron."When asked where the chief opposition to the notion of a young Earth arises, Russ is straightforward and blunt.  The church.Why?  If the lion's share of Scripture seems to point towards a young Earth and the theology of sin and death -- in the view of respectable theologians like Wayne Grudem -- is dependent upon it, why would we not at least be intellectually honest and search both the Word (the Bible) and the World (secular science) for reasons to dismiss it?  Can we so casually dismiss this notion if we have not taken the time to be sure?The summer of 2026 just got very, very awkward!Background:In the summer of 2016, the annual Crusaders Charge into Summer Reading campaign introduced us to Russ Miller, a storied and established Biblical creationist who lives, believe it or not, off-the-grid in a crater in northern Arizona.  If that were not crazy enough, during that summer, Miller introduced us to his book, "The Cost", and he made two audacious claims.First, Russ Miller claimed that the universe and all of creation was established by God in six 24-hour days, less than 10,000 years ago.  He claimed he had scientific and scriptural evidence to back up his claims.Second, Miller claimed that if our nation continued to deny God the creator and the concept of "Imago Dei" -- that we are created in the image and likeness of God, on purpose, and for a purpose -- our culture would go into a freefall, losing all concept of right and wrong, falling into chaos and disorder.Now, ten years later, Russ Miller is back and his warnings and worries have exploded into reality.  Our country and our culture are mired in confusion about truth, gender, marriage, race, identity, spirituality, and more.We are paying what Miller called "The Cost" of losing track of who we are and whose we are.This summer, we're going deep into creationism.  We are going to spend time with audacious individuals who believe in Young Earth, Old Earth, Theistic Evolution, Geocentricity, and, yes, a Flat Earth.  Our journey will be anchored in God's word as we enjoy some pretty amazing conversations.But, at the end of the day, diverse positions aside, every moment and every word of the KingdomCultureConversations.com episodes that we will hear this summer (between May 11th and September 28th) will be rooted in one truth:  You were created on purpose and for a purpose.To learn more about Russ Miller and his organization, "Creation and Evolution Science Ministries", please follow this link.To get a copy of "Consider the Cost", you can pick up a free copy of the book in the three offices of Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona or you can order a copy by clicking here. "Kingdom Culture Conversations" is a podcast created by Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona.For more information on Northwest Christian School, visit:  https://www.ncsaz.org/To reach out to Geoff Brown, please email gbrown@ncsaz.org or you can reach him by cell phone:  (623)225-5573.

A lively, book‑packed conversation with special guest Jen from the Franklin Avenue Library as they dive into what they're reading, the hottest upcoming releases, and, most importantly, the inside scoop on this year's Summer Reading Program. From murder mysteries at 30,000 feet to adorable fantasy graphic novels and the power of preventing the summer slide, this episode celebrates stories, community, and the joy of getting books into kids' hands all summer long. SHOW NOTES What We're Reading Rites of the Starling by Deveny Perry The Cooking Gene by Michael W. Twitty   Famesick by Lena Dunham Dear Monica Lewinsky by Julia Langbein Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker  Murder at 30,000 Feet by Susan Walter Forgive-Me-Not by Mari Costa American Fantasy by Emma Straub Exciting New Releases The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle Girls Girl by Sonia Feldman The Princess Diaries: The Graphic Novel by Meg Cabot The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister Read with Me book recommendation:  Doggy Dance Off by Steve Smallman Readers Book Recommendation:  The Spirit Glass by Roshani Chokshi (middle grade) The Champions by Kara Thomas (teen) Snow Globe by Soyoung Park (teen)  Book Bulletin  Amazon pulls support for older Kindles New Empyryean book – not book 4   Beach Read Casting 

In Episode 224, Sarah, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) celebrate the release of the 2026 Summer Reading Guide with a special behind-the-scenes conversation about putting this year's guide together. Catherine and Chrissie share what it was like participating in the guide for the first time, from the reading process to narrowing down their final picks, while Sarah talks about how much more fun her spring reading felt with the guide becoming a team effort. Together, they reveal their secret books from the guide, share what's still sitting on their summer TBRs, and reflect on the kinds of books they found themselves gravitating toward while reading for summer. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Get the 2026 Summer Reading Guide This year's Summer Reading Guide is bigger than ever — and now available as a full PDF with in-depth write-ups on every book. Here's how to access it: Full PDF Guide (with write-ups): Available to current paying members on Patreon or Substack  Start a free trial (Patreon: 7 days | Substack: 30 days) *Be sure to use the link above to access your free trial on Substack. Free Cheatsheet (no write-ups): Available to everyone on the blog Free Trials close: Friday, May 22 (Memorial Day weekend) When you sign up, you'll also get: 2–3 bonus podcast episodes per month Full back catalog of bonus content Weekly reading updates + more All the details in the recent IMPORTANT DETAILS bonus podcast episode and post. The Secret Picks for the 2026 Summer Reading Guide Catherine Two Kinds of Stranger (Eddie Flynn, 9) by Steven Cavanagh (US: March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:13] The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:04]  The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [36:15]  Chrissie Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin (March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[20:33] Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell (March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[30:45]  Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West (April 14, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:47]  Sarah Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray (May 5, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[23:29]  Heather by Caitlin Mullen (June 9, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [33:53]  The Shark House by Sara Ackerman (January 13, 2026)
 | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:18]  Other Books Mentioned Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow (1987) [24:29]  The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin (2016) [26:20]  The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [34:24]  Long Bright River by Liz Moore (2020) [34:29]  Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (2023) [39:27] Jaws by Peter Benchley (1974) [43:28]  The Devil's Teeth by Susan Casey (2005) [44:42] Shark Heart by Emily Habeck (2023) [45:34]  More From Summer TBRs Catherine You with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate (March 3, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:22]  The Crown in Crisis by Alexander Larman (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:19]  Waiting on a Friend by Natalie Adler (May 26, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:45]  Sarah Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash (January 13, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:48]  Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin (March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[53:01] Brawler by Lauren Groff (February 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [52:28]  The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (May 5, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:46]  The Unseen World by Liz Moore (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [54:46]  Porcupines by Fran Fabriczki (April 14, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:04]  Chrissie Nonesuch by Francis Spufford (March 10, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [48:51] Tom's Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewksi (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [49:25]  The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [50:24]  Whistler by Ann Patchett (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [50:39]  A Deadly Episode (Hawthorne & Horowitz, 6) by Anthony Horowitz (April 28, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [51:18] Daughter of Crows (The Academy of Kindness, 1) by Mark Lawrence (March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [51:29]  Other Books Mentioned The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (2018) [48:12] Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentiss (2016) [48:14]   House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski (2000) [50:02]  Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (1985) [50:17] Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy (1985) [50:18]  The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, 1) by Katherine Arden (2017) [50:33]  The Wanderers by Meg Howrey (2017) [53:10]  The Help by Kathryn Stockett (2009) [53:49] 

Whether you're curating a summer reading list or just love a good book recommendation, this episode is for you! I'm sharing my 7 favorite nonfiction book releases of 2025 – 2 of which are going on my favorite-books-of-all-time list! From happiness and health to aging, friendship, and the finance book that shifted my perspective on spending – if you're looking for thought-provoking, life-enhancing reads to add to your summer stack, this episode is packed with inspiration.   Links and notes related to this episode can be found at https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/micro60 Connect with us: Newsletter: https://mpetersonmusic.com/subscribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnhanceLifeMusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enhancelifemusic/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpetersonpiano/ X: https://twitter.com/musicenhances YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@enhancelifemusic Sponsorship information: https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/sponsor Leave us a review on Podchaser.com! https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/enhance-life-with-music-909096 In-episode promo: Living Well with Dr. Michelle (https://livingwellwithdrmichelle.com/musicenhances) or use Coupon Code musicenhances10 for 10% off. (Or buy on Amazon https://amzn.to/4iaYE1e.)  

May is upon us and that means Summer Reading season is just about here! The 2026 Summer Reading Guide went through a lot of changes this year, so I'm coming to you a bit early to walk through all the details. CLICK HERE for the full Show Notes on the blog. The 2026 Summer Reading Guide is launching this coming Tuesday, May 12! And, our Summer Reading Special podcast episode will air the following day (Weds, May 13). WHAT'S DIFFERENT THIS YEAR The SRG is now a team project. You'll be getting recommendations from Catherine and Chrissie in addition to me.  And, there are a couple books on the SRG that are recommended by multiple team members. But, don't worry, you will easily be able to tell who recommended each book in the Guide. The primary SRG with full write-ups on every book we included will be in a printable PDF format. Changing the primary Guide to a PDF format gives us the flexibility to include some different and helpful ways to categorize the books in the guide beyond our mood-based categories. In addition to the regular part of the Guide, we'll have lists for: Books that are now out in paperback  Five star books Books that are great on audio Longer books (450+ pages) Nonfiction And, our Secret picks – which you'll hear more about in our Summer Reading Special coming on May 13 We selected our Top Picks differently. In the past, I chose my #1 pick for each of my mood-based categories in the Guide.  This year, we're selecting a group of our OVERALL Top Picks regardless of which mood based category they fall in. We've chosen 6 top picks that represent a range of genres, vibes, and reading tastes. And, those will be in their very own section at the front of the Guide. HOW TO GET THE 2026 SUMMER READING GUIDEDifferent from last year The primary Summer Reading Guide PDF with full write-ups on every book will ONLY be available to paying members (via Patreon or Substack). BUT, we'll be running a Free Trial for our Patreon and paid Substack communities, so you can still technically get the full PDF guide for free. Free Trial sign-ups will be open through Friday, May 22 (the Friday of Memorial Day weekend). The Substack Free Trial will be for 30 days. The Patreon Free Trial will only be 7 days long. Patreon only allows 7 day free trials and I wish they'd change that policy.  Obviously, we hope you sample our bonus content and decide to stick around on Patreon or Substack, but you can also drop your membership after 1 month if all you're interested in is the full Summer Reading Guide PDF. AND, a Cheatsheet-style list WITHOUT write-ups for the books included will be available to everyone on my website. HOW TO MAKE SURE THE 2026 SUMMER READING GUIDE LANDS IN YOUR INBOX ON MAY 12 If you are NOT already a paying member, you can sign up for a Free Trial either on Patreon (here) OR on Substack (here).  If you are NOT already a paying member and you are not eligible for the Free Trial (i.e. you signed up in a previous year and dropped your membership since then), you can sign up to be a paid member on Patreon (here) OR Substack (here) for $7/month (and can drop your membership after 1 month if you don't want to stick around). If you are ALREADY a Superstars member on Patreon or a paid member on Substack, you don't have to do anything else to get the Guide. It will arrive in your inboxes on Tuesday (May 12) morning. And, don't forget that the Cheatsheet (i.e. a slimmed down version of the Guide WITHOUT WRITE-UPS on all the books included) there will be available on my website.