Summertime brings boxes of books here to Reading Central. In a recent batch, we found a few themes, as well as some solo titles worth a mention.
In the ocean
"Dolphin Diaries" by Denise L. Herzing (St. Martin's, $26.99, 336 pages): The professor of biological sciences recounts her 25 years researching spotted dolphins in the Bahamas. A fascinating look at the sociology of marine mammals.
"Demon Fish" by Juliet Eilperin (Pantheon, $26.95, 320 pages): The Washington Post's environmental reporter takes readers underwater for a close-up look at the "separate universe" of sharks – a misunderstood, endangered fish that's been on the planet before the dinosaurs, she writes.
At the poker table
"All In" by Jerry Yang (Medallion, $24.95, 300 pages): In his frank autobiography, the self-taught poker champ recalls how surviving the "killing fields of Southeast Asia" gave him the will to become a master of the card game.
"Winning Women of Poker," edited by Mike Sexton (Seaside, $18.95, 168 pages): Fourteen of poker's top women players share their "secret strategies" for no-limit hold 'em, with life lessons intertwined.
For after dark
"Before I Go To Sleep" (Harper, $25.99, 368 pages): This literary thriller was named "best book in June" by Amazon.com, and the movie rights were sold to director Ridley Scott. Every day – between going to sleep at night and waking in the morning – amnesiac Christine loses all her memories. If that's not horrifying enough, she has reason to suspect her husband is guilty of a terrible crime.
"The Magician King" by Lev Grossman (Viking, $26.95, 416 pages; on sale Aug. 9): The author's 2009 best-selling literary fantasy "The Magicians" was an example of a young-adult title crossing over into mainstream readership. This sequel finds the original characters facing new dangers in the magical world of Fillory. Grossman is the book critic for Time magazine.
"Dead By My Side" by Gloria Galloway (CreateSpace, $9.99, 226 pages): The Elk Grove writer sets her paranormal mystery in Sacramento. Detective Tony Camarelli's longtime partner is killed, but she comes back as a ghost and they re-partner to track down a serial killer.
On their own
"Hidden Alcatraz," edited by Steve Fritz and Deborah Roundtree (University of California Press, $24.95, 120 pages): The next best thing to a tour of Alcatraz could be this startling photographic look at "the Fortress."
"Carry a Paintbrush: How To Be the Artistic Director of Your Own Career" by Susanne Goldstein (Arvida, $18.95, 240 pages): Imagine your career is a room you can paint any way you wish. You can even paint a doorway to opportunity and more success. "Career artist" Goldstein offers strategies for those wishing to break their bonds and fly.
"Dog Days" by Dave Ihlenfeld (Union Square, $14.95, 232 pages): What better way to "find yourself" after college than behind the wheel of a 27-foot-long hot dog, and then write a memoir about it? The author drove the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile around the United States and Europe for a year – with riotous results.
Books by CSUS staff
Recently, we ran a list of scholarly books written by faculty and staff members at the University of California, Davis, available at the campus bookstore.
Getting its turn today is California State University, Sacramento, with a similar list, this one compiled by Alan Miller of the CSUS Office of Public Affairs. These titles and more by CSUS faculty can be found at the Hornet Bookstore, (916) 278-6446.
"Santa Maria" by Fausto Avendano (Spanish Press, $12, 240 pages): A novel of the West's Hispanic past centers on the clash between two families in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War.
"Science in Democracy" by Mark B. Brown (MIT Press, $28, 354 pages): Public-policy controversies, from global warming to biotechnology.
"Cancer and Death: A Love Story in Two Voices" by Leah Vande Berg and Nick Trujillo (Hampton Press, $23.95, 163 pages): The wrenching true story of a married couple's ordeal.
"Once Upon a Time in War" by Robert Humphrey (University of Oklahoma Press, $24.95, 336 pages): Recounting the exploits of the U.S. Army's 99th Division in World War II.
"San Juan" by Edgardo Rodriguez Julia (University of Wisconsin Press, $19.95, 167 pages): A memoir of Puerto Rico's capital city.
"After Being Somewhere Else" by Cheryl Smith (Regent Press, $15, 72 pages): Poems by English professor and director of the CSUS Writing Center.
"Revolution" by Paul N. Goldstone (Chandler and Sharp, $22.50, 136 pages): American-style upheaval during the 1960s and beyond.
More summer reading
Joanne Ligamari of Loomis shares her summer reading list:
"The Placer Area Reading Council's book club has been meeting for over 20 years. Each summer we include a young adult/teen title. Some of them have been absolutely wonderful. Among our favorites: 'The Hunger Games' trilogy by Suzanne Collins, 'Shattering Glass' by Gail Giles and 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak."
This summer's adult-category choices are:
"Appetite for America" by Stephen Fried.
"The Leisure Seeker" by Michael Zadoorian.
"The Boy Who Saved Baseball" by John H. Ritter.
"The Blue Notebook" by James Levine.
"Anna's Book" by Barbara Vine (the pseudonym of Ruth Rendell).
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
The Bee's Allen Pierleoni can be reached at (916) 321-1128 or apierleoni@sacbee.com. Contact him with news of coming literary events that are open to the public.
• Read more articles by Allen Pierleoni
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "Report Abuse" link below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.