Want a restaurant recommendation? Ask a foodie.
Looking for a good book? Ask a librarian.
So we did.
This time, the Akron-Summit County Public Library staff tells us what they’re reading (or want to read) and why we may like it, too. Let us know what you think.
Living a Life You Love: Embracing the Adventure of Being Led by the Holy Spirit
By Joyce Meyer
”Meyer talks about the frustrations of daily life and obstacles that many of us face. Living in a COVID world, some of those obstacles have been very challenging for us this year. Despite these challenges, you can rise above them and be hopeful. Don’t let the situations you are in dictate how you feel and act. Continue to be loving, kind and helpful to others, looking forward to the future and keeping your joy. I have found this book to be inspiring, full of wisdom and peace.”
— Stephanie Jolliff, Culture/Audio Visual
Keep Moving, and Other Tips and Truths About Aging
By Dick Van Dyke
“Who does not love Dick Van Dyke? The dancing, the acting, the humor… he is a character we all love, a part of many of our childhood memories. I am looking forward to reading about his life and insights into the world of show business. His energy and enthusiasm cannot help but rub off onto you, bringing joy and laughter. I am eager to delve into his autobiography and learn how to embrace my own passions in life just like Dick Van Dyke.”
— Stephanie Jolliff, Culture/Audio Visual
Social Chemistry: Decoding the Patterns of Human Connection
By Marissa King
“In this age of social interactions through technology, I was very excited to read this book. The author discusses how to build an online social network that will greatly improve our relationships in all of our social circles: on our jobs, with our families, and even with people from around the world. Understanding our social network can improve personal relationships, work life, and even your global impact. Are you an Expansionist, a Broker or a Convener? The answer matters more than you think.”
— Mike Acklin, Children’s Library & Teen
Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias
By Pragya Agarwal
“(This is) my most anticipated read of the spring. In our world today, most people like to think that bias is a “thing of the past,” and that they simply don’t have any biases. Pragya’s book tries to sway those beliefs and help reveal that we all carry some sort of biases, most of which we are not even aware of. At a time when race, politics, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace are dominating our conversations, understanding how unconscious bias functions within all of us is more important than ever. The book encourages us to think, understand, and evaluate our own biases in a scientific and non-judgmental way.”
— Mike Acklin, Children’s Library & Teen
Cutting Back: My Apprenticeship in the Gardens of Kyoto
By Leslie Buck
“This is a memoir written by the first American woman to join one of the oldest landscape companies in Japan. She learns about garden design and the care needed to develop and maintain an exceptional garden. Her experiences in helping to connect gardens to those who visit take the reader to many of Japan’s exquisite properties, along with sharing her personal musings and growth as a gardener.”
— Patrick Manning, Neighborhood Services
Let Me Tell You What I Mean
By Joan Didion
“Next on my reading list is one of the most anticipated books of the year, according to The New York Times, Time, Vogue and many others. Didion has been a prolific writer for decades. No matter what the form – novels, magazine pieces or memoirs – she is always thoughtful and insightful. Her most recent release is a collection of 12 pieces, written from 1968 to 2000 and never-before gathered together in one volume. The 12 pieces in this book showcase Didion’s incisive reporting, her empathetic gaze, and her role as an articulate witness to the most stubborn and intractable truths of our time.”
— Brett Neff, Downtown Services
