Time to get cracking those book spines this summer

Ross Reynolds, Kira Jane Buxton and Karen Maeda Allman discuss their choices for summer reading and get more recommendations from KUOW listeners.

Kira Jane Buxton's Picks

Hollow Kingdom, by Kira Jane Buxton

“It is an urgent, immediate must-read.” ;)

Disappearing Earth, by Julia Phillips

“It’s a gorgeous novel. It’s a debut, but doesn’t read like it.”

My Sister, The Serial Killer, by Oyinkan Braithwaite

“I knew I would like it, but I didn’t know how much I would like it. So darkly funny. Burns like a good bonfire”

The Soul of an Octopus, by Sy Montgomery

“She’s an incredible nature writer and has a real passion for the cephalopods, which I share with her.”

Gathering Moss, by Robin Wall Kimmerer

“We have a very contentious relationship with moss here in the Pacific Northwest, so I think it would behoove us to embrace it more.”

Karen Maeda Allman's Picks

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, by Ocean Vuong

“The writing in this book is just incredible. I was swept away by the story.”

The Flight Portfolio, by Julie Orringer

“It’s a nice, big, chunky, wonderful novel.

Warhead, by Jeff Henigson

“What a wonderful, exuberant story. It really encourages us to think about what we can do.”

Ross Reynold's Picks

Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63, by Taylor Branch

“A big read, but very rewarding.”

The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg

“An incredible book, loosely in the self-help category I suppose, but much deeper than that.”

Listener Picks

A Clearing In The Distance: Frederick Law Olmsted and America in the 19th Century, by Witold Rybczynski

“Kind of a big read, but also very accessible. Lends itself to field trips." -Nina, Seattle

The Dune Series, by Frank Herbert

“In honor of the new park in Tacoma called Dune Peninsula park. It might some people all summer to read." -Kathy, Snohomish

Circe, by Madeline Miller

“It just came out in paperback. A great read, I just loved it." -Skip, Olympia

Doing Justice: A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law, by Preet Bharara

“A wide-ranging, well-rounded look at how justice is pursued by federal prosecutors.” -Andrea, Vashon Island

Rough Magic: Riding the World’s Wildest Horse Race, by Lara Prior-Palmer

“In these times of cheering for women’s sports, she should get some recognition.” -Gary, Lake City

Queen of the Sea, by Dylan Meconis

“Beautifully water colored coming-of-age story." -Robby, Seattle

The Great Pretenders, by Laura Kalpakian

“Braided together old Hollywood, the Red Scare and the beginning of the Civil Rights movement masterfully.” -Colleen, Bellingham

Why We Sleep, by Matthew Walker

“It feels like he’s cracked the code. Some of the stuff from his experiments are amazing.” -Evan, Edmonds