Urban St. Reads, Spring 2024

Urban St. | April 16, 2024 | Articles | No Comments

At the beginning of each year, many of us think about the goals we have for the year to come. The Bluestocking Bookshop in Holland, which buys and sells books of all kinds, is hosting a year-long Read More Challenge. The shop regularly holds events to encourage literary growth amongst everyone. The Bluestocking Bookshop’s staff share their reading recommendations below.

Bluestocking Bookshop owner R. Aimee Chipman suggests reading her most anticipated book of the year: Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez. Sure to follow in the footsteps of the author’s previous titles, with laugh-out-loud moments that also inspire ugly-cry tears. The writing in Jimenez’s books reflect life and love in contemporary times, including the flaws and struggles of characters who grow to become friends and loved ones. Chipman also touts Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan.

How much do you really know about the communities in our region? For a book that challenges your viewpoint, learn about Dutch settlements and shipping trades in West Michigan’s history. The Other Side of the River: A Story of Two Towns, A Death, and America’s Dilemma opens the readers’ eyes to a wider experience of history along our Lakeshore. This work by Peabody Award-winner Alex Kotlowitz centers on the racial and economic divide between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor and challenges the view we have of our quiet Lake Michigan towns.

An unlikely recommendation — read a picture book! The Bluestocking Bookshop owners are firm believers that all reading all types of books is commendable: print books, ebooks, audiobooks, challenging literature, and, yes, even books intended for younger audiences. A picture book gives readers a brain break. Try the picture-book adaptation of Becoming a Good Creature. Author Sy Montgomery is well known for her adult nonfiction narratives about the animals she has encountered. Illustrated by Rebecca Green, Montgomery explains the lessons of trust, patience, and forgiveness that she learned from her animal teachers.

A timely bit of advice — read a book that centers around love. When we think of love in books, the romance genre might be the first that comes to mind. But as we all know, love, actually, is all around. The Art of Extreme Self-Care by Cheryl Richardson inspires us to create action around increasing self-love and care in your day-to-day life.

Other recommendations include Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel and Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthoney Doerr.