By Tabitha Taylor
No one understands a good summer beach read better than local authors, so enjoy our Jersey shore summer while reading one of these recommended books.
“Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life With 600 Rescue Animals” by Laurie Zaleski is a moving memoir of her life as the owner and founder of the Funny Farm Rescue & Sanctuary, a non-profit charitable organization located in Mays Landing, N.J. She tells how her upbringing in a run-down home in Turnersville led to her sharing her home with Emily the emu, Lorenzo the llama, and more farm friends.
While your toes are in the sand pick up a copy of, “The Ocean House” by Mary-Beth Hughes. Hughes’ collection of short stories shows Faith’s complicated family tales as she tries to bring her rebellious daughter and mother with dementia together to enjoy the Jersey Shore.
For more mystery and thrill on your summer day start reading, “Some Die Nameless” by Wallace Stroby. Ray Devlin is retired in Florida when an old colleague’s visit stirs some bad memories–and ends with a gunshot. Follow Devlin, an ex-mercenary, and Tracy Quinn, an embattled journalist as they find themselves unlikely allies as they solve the mystery of a murder. Before long, their conspiracies land them both as the targets of a ruthless assassin haunted by his own wartime experiences. Get the sunscreen ready for reapplication–you won’t want to put this book down. Follow Tracy on the biggest story of her career and Devlin as he takes his last shot at redemption.
Dive into “The Shore” by Katie Runde and escape into a semi-fictional Jersey Shore town. Follow the Dunne family as they explore caretaking and coming of age struggles as they grapple with an unfathomable diagnosis, amid summer jobs, familial tensions, and romance. Author Katie Runde’s family ran a boardwalk business at the Shore which inspired the novel.
For those of you ready to prove you are Shore Locals and show your Jersey Pride pick up a copy of “New Jersey Fan Club” by Kerri Sullivan. In her new anthology, she shares a collection of essays, comics, illustrations, photographs, and even a recipe from more than 60 local contributors. Landmarks such as the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, Cape May, Tastee Sub Shop, and Asbury Lanes make appearances in the bound Jersey Pride.
Kayla Corson a 21 year-old from Hammonton shared her love of opening an interesting book while basking in the sun on the hot sand.
“I eat local and shop local, why wouldn’t I try to read local as well,” said Corson.
This summer have your little ones read with you as they explore the N.J. authors on their bookshelves.
“One of the pleasures for children of reading local authors is that children get to see the world they know reflected in a book,” said Janet Marler, Atlantic Cape Community College English Department chair and Professor of Children’s Literature. “It’s fun to have that “aha” moment where children see sights they recognize or experiences they can relate to in a book.”
“Momo and Snap Are Not Friends” by Airlie Anderson captures children’s imagination with opaque watercolor illustrations that tell the tale of how a competitive relationship between a crocodile and a monkey turns into a supportive friendship. This illustrated adventure is perfect for preschool-age children to enjoy this summer.
While taking a break from playing in the waves children can enjoy a copy of “The ABC’s of Ocean City” by Tassia Schreiner where they can learn more about the elements of the Jersey shore town.
Children can switch off the remote and open up, “A Kind of Paradise” by Amy Rebecca Tan and follow the adventure of Jamie. After breaking her middle school’s honor code, Jamie must volunteer in her local library all summer as the consequence. Despite the initial disappointment that her summer would be spent with books instead of friends she ultimately ends up developing friendships with the library staff and patrons. The book shows the power communities have to lift us up and is an inspiring read for tweens.
“Amelia Bedelia Road Trip!” by Herman Parish is a great book to pick up for beginning independent readers. The story follows Amelia Bedelia, America’s favorite housekeeper, as a young girl with a childhood full of hilarious misunderstandings. In this illustrated adventure, young Amelia Bedelia takes a road trip with her family with lots of laughs–just like the kind that won us over in the original books when we were kids reading Peggy Parish’s tales of Bedelia as an adult taking her housekeeper instructions too literally. Herman Parish was in the fourth grade when his aunt wrote her first Amelia Bedelia book. Parish now continues to carry on the family legacy for a new generation of readers who will laugh at Bedelia’s adventures.
After a long day at the beach children can snuggle up in bed to read “Good Night Jersey Shore” by Adam Gamble. This board book is for all ages of beach lovers who wish to reflect on their day at the ocean before a peaceful sleep.
You can find one of these suggested books on Amazon, department store, or at the book store. However, if you want to continue with supporting the locals Sun Rose Books in Ocean City has a section of local authors’ works for sale, including many of the ones mentioned above.
Whether you or your child are sitting on the beach or lying in the air conditioning at home it is time this summer to stick your noses in these recommended books by local authors.
Intern Tabitha Taylor has an Associate’s degree in Communication from Atlantic Cape. She is currently working on obtaining her Bachelors degree with a dual major of Public Relations and Advertising from Rowan University.
