A Summer of Reading and Writing Adventures 📚🌞✍️

Join me on a summer reading adventure filled with mysteries, thrillers, and stories that inspire my writing journey and celebrate the magic of libraries.

Hello Summer Readers, Writers, and Library Travelers!

From the time I was a young child, libraries have been a magical place, especially during summer vacation. I remember hopping on my bike, pedaling to my local library, and signing up for the summer reading challenge.

Now, in my sixth decade of reading, writing, and supporting libraries, my passion for libraries remains strong. This summer, I joined the adult reading challenge at the Lake Oswego Library.

I love libraries¹! Do you?

My Summer Reading Challenge

I dived head first into the adult summer reading challenge reading twenty-eight books, including twenty-five fiction and three non-fiction books.

My goal was to read as many mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels as possible to inspire ideas for my first novel, Do Not Die Today, a mystery set in Joshua Tree National Park. Stay tuned for previews coming soon!

Highlights from My Summer Reading Journey

Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense

• Killing Floor (Jack Reacher, #1) by Lee Child: Jack Reacher uncovers a conspiracy in a small town. I like Reacher for his quick thinking, decisive action, and unwavering commitment to doing what’s right. This book is a thrilling introduction to a character who finds good trouble in a world full of challenges.

• The Law of Innocence (The Lincoln Lawyer, #6; Harry Bosch Universe) by Michael Connelly. Defense attorney Mickey Haller fights to prove his innocence after being framed for murder. I like the character of lawyer Michket Haller aka the Lincoln Lawyer for his legal skills and always standing for the underdog.

Literary Fiction

• Chances Are… by Richard Russo: A novel about three college friends who reunite decades later and confront their past. I enjoyed connecting with the three characters, each written in the first-person narrative.

• One Summer by David Baldacci: Story about family, love, and second chances. The story is sad, as it deals with loss, grief, and the struggle to rebuild a shattered family but is also optimistic, showing the power of love, resilience, and the possibility of new beginnings.

Non-Fiction

• Bowerman and the Men of Oregon: The Story of Oregon’s Legendary Coach and Nike’s Cofounder by Kenny Moore: An inspiring biography of Bill Bowerman, the legendary coach and co-founder of Nike. I loved learning about Oregon history, Bowerman’s life, and his impact on the world of sports.

• The Breaks of the Game by David Halberstam: A detailed account of the 1979-80 Portland Trail Blazers season. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in basketball, Oregon history, and the remarkable journey of Bill Walton and the Trail Blazers.

Celebrating the magic of books and libraries | © Kacey Carpenter

Join the Celebration! 📚✨

September is Library Card Signup Month. Whether you’re a lifelong reader or just beginning your literary journey, a library card opens the door to a world of knowledge, adventure, and community.²

Take the first step today! Visit your local library, sign up for a library card, and discover the magic that awaits. Share your love for books and libraries with friends and family, and let’s make this September a month to remember.

#LibraryCardSignupMonth 📖❤️

My Complete List of Books

Non-Fiction:

1. Bowerman and the Men of Oregon: The Story of Oregon’s Legendary Coach and Nike’s Cofounder by Kenny Moore

   • Category: Non-Fiction

   • Description: An inspiring biography of Bill Bowerman, the legendary coach and co-founder of Nike, and his impact on the world of sports.

2. The Breaks of the Game by David Halberstam

   • Category: Non-Fiction

   • Description: A detailed account of the 1979-80 Portland Trail Blazers season, exploring the dynamics of professional basketball.

3. Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published by Estelle Erasmus

   • Category: Non-Fiction

   • Description: A guide to improving your writing skills, finding your unique voice, and getting published.

Fiction:

1. What You See (Jane Ryland, #4) by Hank Phillippi Ryan

   • Category: Mystery/Thriller

   • Description: A gripping mystery featuring investigative reporter Jane Ryland as she uncovers secrets and solves crimes.

2. The Medical Examiner (Women’s Murder Club) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

   • Category: Mystery/Thriller

   • Description: A thrilling addition to the Women’s Murder Club series, where the team tackles a new and complex case.

3. Mortal Fall (Glacier Mystery #2) by Christine Carbo

   • Category: Mystery/Thriller

   • Description: A suspenseful mystery set in Glacier National Park, where a detective investigates a suspicious death.

4. Flop Dead Gorgeous (Andy Carpenter, #27) by David Rosenfelt

   • Category: Mystery/Thriller

   • Description: A humorous and engaging mystery featuring defense attorney Andy Carpenter and his canine companion.

5. Long Range (Joe Pickett, #20) by C.J. Box

   • Category: Mystery/Thriller

   • Description: A thrilling adventure with game warden Joe Pickett as he navigates danger and uncovers secrets in the wilderness.

6. Murder in Three Acts (Hercule Poirot, #11) by Agatha Christie

   • Category: Mystery/Thriller

   • Description: A classic Hercule Poirot mystery where the famous detective solves a complex murder case.

7. Murder by Tradition (Kate Delafield, #4) by Katherine V. Forrest

   • Category: Mystery/Thriller

   • Description: A compelling mystery featuring lesbian detective Kate Delafield as she solves a complex case.

8. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

   • Category: Mystery/Thriller

   • Description: A psychological thriller about a travel journalist who witnesses a woman being thrown overboard from a luxury cruise ship.

9. Hancock Park (Kate Delafield, #8) by Katherine V. Forrest

   • Category: Mystery/Thriller

   • Description: Another intriguing mystery featuring detective Kate Delafield as she navigates through complex cases.

10. High Desert (Kate Delafield, #9) by Katherine V. Forrest

    • Category: Mystery/Thriller

    • Description: Detective Kate Delafield returns in this gripping mystery set in the high desert.

11. Past Tense (Jack Reacher, #23) by Lee Child

    • Category: Mystery/Thriller

    • Description: Jack Reacher’s journey takes him to a small town in New Hampshire where he uncovers dark secrets.

12. No Plan B (Jack Reacher, #27) by Lee Child and Andrew Child

    • Category: Mystery/Thriller

    • Description: Jack Reacher faces new challenges and dangers in this latest installment of the series.

13. Murder Road by Simone St. James

    • Category: Mystery/Thriller

    • Description: A chilling mystery set on a haunted road where a series of murders have taken place.

14. Alex Cross’s Trial (Alex Cross) by James Patterson

    • Category: Mystery/Thriller

    • Description: A historical thriller where Alex Cross’s ancestor fights for justice in the early 20th century.

15. Killing Floor (Jack Reacher, #1) by Lee Child

    • Category: Mystery/Thriller

    • Description: The first book in the Jack Reacher series, where Reacher uncovers a conspiracy in a small town.

16. The Law of Innocence (The Lincoln Lawyer, #6; Harry Bosch Universe) by Michael Connelly

    • Category: Mystery/Thriller

    • Description: Defense attorney Mickey Haller fights to prove his innocence after being framed for murder.

17. Last Man Standing by David Baldacci

    • Category: Mystery/Thriller

    • Description: A gripping thriller about an FBI agent who survives an ambush and seeks to uncover the truth.

18. Simply Lies (Mickey Gibson, #1) by David Baldacci

    • Category: Mystery/Thriller

    • Description: A new series featuring Mickey Gibson, a former detective turned private investigator.

19. A Mind to Murder (Adam Dalgliesh, #2) by P.D. James

    • Category: Mystery/Thriller

    • Description: Detective Adam Dalgliesh investigates a murder at a psychiatric clinic.

20. Chances Are… by Richard Russo

    • Category: Literary Fiction

    • Description: A poignant and beautifully written novel about three college friends who reunite decades later and confront their past.

21. One Summer by David Baldacci

    • Category: Literary Fiction

    • Description: A heartwarming story about family, love, and second chances.

22. Five Classic Murder Mysteries by Agatha Christie

    • Category: Compilation

    • Description: A collection of five classic murder mysteries by the queen of crime fiction, Agatha Christie.

23. The New Bedside, Bathtub and Armchair Companion to Agatha Christie by Dick Riley (Editor)

    • Category: Compilation

    • Description: A comprehensive guide to Agatha Christie’s works, including summaries, analyses, and insights into her stories.

24. Sleeping Bones (Kate Delafield, #7) by Katherine V. Forrest

    • Category: LGBTQ+ Fiction

    • Description: A compelling mystery featuring lesbian detective Kate Delafield as she solves a complex case.

25. On Harbor’s Edge, Book One: 1912-1913 by Kate Hotchkiss

    • Category: LGBTQ+ Fiction

    • Description: A historical fiction novel set in the early 20th century, exploring themes of love and identity.

1. https://ilovelibraries.org/

2. Library Card Sign-up Month | ALA