Look into the library’s summer beach reads

The Fresno County Library’s Bookshelf column shares suggestions for books, music, and other items, and provides information about library programs.

Top 5 Most Requested Books

▪ “Crisis of Character: A White House Secret Service Officer Discloses His Firsthand Experience with Hillary, Bill, and How They Operate,” by Gary J. Byrne and Grant M. Schmidt.

▪ “Night,” by Elie Wiesel.

▪ “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Special Rehearsal Script,” by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne.

▪ “First Comes Love: A Novel,” by Emily Giffin.

▪ “Apprentice in Death,” by J.D. Robb.

New Arrivals

▪ “Murder on the Quai,” by Cara Black. This book takes the popular, fictional French sleuth Aimee Leduc back to her roots. She’s a medical student in 1989 Paris, but is feeling the pull toward the family detective business and a missing truck full of gold.

▪ “Brilliant Beacons: A History of the American Lighthouse,” by Eric Jay Dolin. An admiring portrait of the sentinels that have kept coastlines safe and goods flowing throughout the United States, along with the men and women who have run them.

▪ “She Poured Out Her Heart,” by Jean Thompson. Freewheeling Jane and reserved Bonnie bond in college despite their differences – and later find that men, children and crises reveal even sharper contrasts that might tear them apart forever.

Beach Reading

▪ “All the Birds in the Sky,” by Charlie Jane Anders. In a future San Francisco, technology has begun to unravel the Earth and everyone living in it. Whether everyone survives is up to two people who work on the raggedy edges of science and magic.

▪ “The Vegetarian: A Novel,” by Han Kang. A gruesome tale from one of South Korea’s leading authors (and a worthy successor to Kafka and Lovecraft), which lends new meaning to the phrase “you are what you eat.”

▪ “What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours: Stories,” by Helen Oyeyemi. The first collection of short fiction from this noted British writer, where the characters find keys that unlock joys, sorrows, and the wholly unexpected in their lives.

Events

▪ Tai Chi for Seniors: Low-impact exercises for older adults. 9:15-10:15 and 10:30-11 a.m., Monday and Wednesday, July 11 and 13, at the Fig Garden Regional Library. Details: 559-600-4071.

▪ At the Library with Friends – Fifty Shades of Bluegrass: Join us for a musical evening of bluegrass and instrumentals with this exciting local group. All are welcome, but seating is limited. Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Friends of the Sanger Library. 6:30-7:45 p.m., Monday, July 11, at the Sanger Branch Library. Details: 559-875-2435.

▪ Fowler Movie Night: Enjoy an animated feature with the entire family! 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 14, at the Fowler Branch Library. Details: 559-600-9281.

This story was originally published July 10, 2016 at 1:00 AM with the headline "Look into the library’s summer beach reads."