The pile of holiday cards has finally been dispensed. They’ve been sitting in a lump on the counter for months, and you just now got around to sorting them. Some were too beautiful to let go; others had messages you wanted to save, some had addresses you needed, a couple pictures fell on your lap and you also found at least one gift card for a bookstore. Uh oh. Is it still good? Probably, yes. So why not go look for one of these great books?

 

 

Are you in the mood for a good novel? Of course you are.

 

So you’ll want to look for Copycat by Kimberla Lawson Roby. It’s a skinny little book about friendship and obsession, and how one can ruin the other.

 

Historians who crave a novel based in history will love The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck. It’s a story of three women who pull together at the end of World War II. Be prepared to clear your calendar and read, read, read.

 

Who doesn’t love a bit of suspense? You’ll want to read Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen. It’s a tale of a woman whose boyfriend has disappeared completely. But is he really gone? Gotta read this book to find out.

 

 

If you’re someone who loves to look at old buildings while you’re on vacation, consider reading Fallen Glory: The Lives and Deaths of History’s Greatest Buildings by James Crawford before this summer’s getaway. This book tackles some of the most iconic things mankind has ever built, why they were so well-known and why you can’t visit them this summer. This is a big book, so read it now, before you get on the plane; it might be too big to haul.

 

But here’s a book you can easily tuck in your carry-on: The Not-Quite States of America by Doug Mack. It’s a book about the U.S. territories, how they influence the mainland and why you should consider lisiting them soon.

 

One more? Look for The Handy New York City Answer Book by Chris Barsanti,  which will explain (almost) everythingyou ever wanted to know about The Big Apple but didn’t know where to ask. Reading should be restful, right? So why do you feel so guilty when you’re reading? In Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, you’ll feel better with a book in your lap because you’ll see how you’re actually getting things done.

 

There. Doesn’t that help? And if you really want to work hard, then put your imagination to play and read The Creative Spark by Agustin Fuentes, to see how creativity and imagination have changed humankind.

 

So here’s the thing: If you love to read, you must know your way around a library, right? Which is why you’ll want The Card  Catalog by The Library of Congress. Yes,it’s a book about those old card catalogs, what they were for, how they worked and the art of the word they may have contained. Along the way, you’ll get a gander at some magnificent old books.

 

No doubt, your child is heading into summer vacation soon, but if you worry about her education in the future you’ll want Saving Science Class by Chris McGowan. It’s a book about why we need to start science education early, how it can  affect the way a child thinks and why it’sgood for them for the rest of their lives. While you’re using your gift card, also look for Language at the Speed of Sight by Mark Seidenberg. It’s about reading, literacy and what can be done to teach both, better.

 

Politics seems to be on everyone’s mind – especially politics and economy – and in Glass House by Brian Alexander, you’ll get a look at what happens to a town when its largest employer falters. If you liked Hillbilly Elegy, this should be next on your list. Another book you light want to check out is Walking to Listen by Andrew Forsthoefel, about the author’s journey across the nation, to see what we, as a country, have to say.

 

Terri Schlichenmeyer has been reading since she was three years old and never  goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 14,000 books. Readers with questions or comments may write to Terri in care of this publication.