We seem to have more time and energy, if not more daylight, during the summer. If you’re like me, you hope to be sitting on the beach or perhaps in the shade of a tree whiling away some hours reading book after book. What better books to read than series that have been around for a while so you can sink in and read the whole series in one go, or perhaps read a few that you missed along the way. Andersen Library may not have all the books in a fiction series, but we are likely to have some, and you can use UB or your local public library to borrow the rest.
As for the series I’d recommend, I don’t know if the Jackson 5 would too, the letter books by Sue Grafton and the number books by Janet Evanovich are at the top of the list. I’ve been a serious devotee of both for some time. I started reading each series years after they began, so was able to quickly catch up to the latest volume. It gave me a good, thorough sense of the storylines and I didn’t miss the years of anticipation one bit. Both mystery series’ books are written in a conversational style and are relatively fast reads. Even though death and destruction follow the female protagonists around in each, the books are relatively light reading good for enjoying under the summer sun. Beware though: you’ll get sucked in and won’t be able to come up for air until you get to the end!
Kinsey Millhone series by Sue Grafton
NoveList says: “Hard-boiled private investigator Kinsey Millhone investigates murders and searches for missing persons, often taking on cold cases. Sassy and practical, she is an orphan and a loner, and she does not hesitate to confront vicious criminals who will stop at nothing to get away.”
You can find the full list of books by her on Sue Grafton’s Fantastic Fiction page. Here is what we have:
A is for Alibi (1982) – Use UW Request
B Is for Burglar (1985) – Use UW Request
C Is for Corpse (1986) – Use UW Request
D Is for Deadbeat (1987) – Use UW Request
E Is for Evidence (1988) – Use UW Request
F Is for Fugitive (1989) – Use UW Request
G Is for Gumshoe (1989) – Use UW Request
H Is for Homicide (1991) – Use UW Request
I Is for Innocent (1992) – Main Collection; Call Number: PS3557.R13 I2 1992
J Is for Judgement (1993) – Use UW Request
K Is for Killer (1994) – Use UW Request
L Is for Lawless (1995) – Use UW Request
M Is for Malice (1996) – Use UW Request
N Is for Noose (1998) – Use UW Request
O Is for Outlaw (1999) – Use UW Request
P Is for Peril (2001) – Main Collection; Call Number: PS3557.R13 P3 2001
Q Is For Quarry (2002) – Use UW Request
R Is for Ricochet (2004) – Main Collection; Call Number: PS3557.R13 R15 2004
S Is for Silence (2005) – Use UW Request
T Is for Trespass (2007) – Main Collection; Call Number: PS3557.R13 T15 2007
U Is for Undertow (2009) – Main Collection; Call Number: PS3557.R13 U3 2009
V Is For Vengeance (2011) – Main Collection; Call Number: PS3557.R13 V46 2011
W is for Wasted (2013) – Browsing Books Collection; Call Number: PS3557.R13 W17 2013
There is also a book of short stories you might want to read:
Kinsey and Me: Stories – Browsing Books Collection; Call Number: PS3557.R13 K56 2013
Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich
NoveList says: “Stephanie Plum may not be the best bounty hunter in New Jersey, but she always gets her man. With more luck than talent, her life is full of bail-jumping criminals, car chases, missing persons, and trying to find a decent guy in Jersey. This series is full of non-stop action, high-stakes suspense, and the trademark Evanovich humor.”
You can find the full list of books by her on Janet Evanovich’s Fantastic Fiction page. Here is what we have:
One for the Money (1994) – Also made into a movie – Use UW Request
Two for the Dough (1996) – Use UW Request
Three to Get Deadly (1997) – Use UW Request
Four to Score (1998) – Use UW Request
High Five (1999) – Use UW Request
Hot Six (2000) – Use UW Request
Seven Up (2001) – Use UW Request
Hard Eight (2002) – Use UW Request
To the Nines (2003) – Use UW Request
Ten Big Ones (2004) – Use UW Request
Eleven on Top (2005) – Main Collection; Call Number: PS3555.V2126 E44 2005
Twelve Sharp (2006) – Main Collection; Call Number: PS3555.V2126 T93 2006
Lean Mean Thirteen (2007) – Use UW Request
Fearless Fourteen (2008) – Use UW Request
Finger Lickin’ Fifteen (2009) – Main Collection; Call Number: PS3555.V2126 F56 2009
Sizzling Sixteen (2010) – Main Collection; Call Number: PS3555.V2126 S59 2010
Smokin’ Seventeen (2011) – Main Collection; Call Number: PS3555.V2126 S66 2011
Explosive Eighteen (2011) – Main Collection; Call Number: PS3555.V2126 E97 2011
Notorious Nineteen (2012) – Browsing Books Collection; Call Number: PS3555.V2126 N68 2012
Takedown Twenty (2013) – Browsing Books Collection; Call Number: PS3555.V2126 T36 2013
Top Secret Twenty-One (2014) – Browsing Books Collection; Call Number: PS3555.V2126 T67 2014
I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer. Oh, and don’t forget to get some outdoor activities in as well so you can soak up that vitamin D!
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On Thursdays in July, from 11:30am-12:45pm, eat while sitting on the lawn of the Cultural Arts Center (402 W Main St, Whitewater, by the Birge Fountain) and listen to live music! Bring your own lunch, or get something from the vendor of the week. It’s the “Savory Sounds” series:
But if you’re taking a break from studies, you can celebrate the holiday!