What the CLS Team is Reading this Summer
There is something about summer that invites us to read a little differently.
Perhaps it is the longer evenings, the slower pace, or the simple pleasure of carrying a book to the porch, the beach, or a favorite chair. Summer reading often feels less prescribed than reading during the rest of the year. It gives us permission to revisit old favorites, finally tackle a lengthy novel, dive into a fascinating work of nonfiction, or indulge in a story chosen simply for the joy of it.
At the Charleston Library Society, our team’s reading lives are as varied as those of our members. This summer, our staff can be found exploring everything from sweeping Western epics and thought-provoking nonfiction to cozy fiction, memoir, mystery, and a touch of magic.
Here are a few of the books currently being checked off of the CLS team’s TBR.
Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green | Kristy
Kristy, our Library Services Coordinator, is currently listening to John Green’s Everything Is Tuberculosis and describes it as informative, engaging, and surprisingly fun. Though tuberculosis may seem like a narrow subject at first glance, one of the book’s greatest strengths is showing just how interconnected tuberculosis is with everyday life, history, and culture.
“From cowboy hats to Sherlock Holmes to Adirondack chairs,” Kristy notes, “tuberculosis really is everywhere!”
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry | Gabriel
Gabriel, our Programs and Events Manager, is currently immersed in Larry McMurtry’s celebrated Western novel Lonesome Dove.
He praises the novel’s “hypnotic pace and texture” and has especially enjoyed spending time with its memorable cast of characters, anchored by Augustus McCrae and Captain W.C. Call. For Gabriel, it’s easy to see why Lonesome Dove has earned its reputation as a beloved classic of the Western genre.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke | Heather
Heather, our Director of Operations, is currently reading Yesteryear, the debut novel by Caro Claire Burke. She was initially drawn to the book after learning it had been optioned for adaptation before publication—with Anne Hathaway attached to star and produce—and says the story quickly hooked her. Just a few chapters in, she already found it difficult to put down.
The Calamity Club: A Novel by Kathryn Stockett | Lisa
After thoroughly enjoying The Help and having the opportunity to hear Kathryn Stockett speak here in Charleston on her recent book tour, Lisa, our Director of Collections, was eager to dive into The Calamity Club. Charmed by Stockett’s wit and humor on stage, she has been delighted to find those same qualities reflected in the novel. So far, she has been especially taken with the book’s main character, an eleven-year-old orphan named Meg—a clever, captivating, and delightfully mischievous presence at the heart of the story.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore | Hannah
Hannah, our Engagement Assistant, is currently nearing the end of Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods, a literary mystery set at a summer camp in the 1970s. What has stood out most is the novel’s balance between genre and literary fiction—delivering a compelling mystery while also offering beautifully crafted prose, complex characters, and thoughtful social commentary. Despite its length, Hannah says she has “not once been bored” and is eager to see how everything comes together in the final pages.
What Are You Reading This Summer?
One of the greatest pleasures of belonging to a library community is that no two reading journeys look exactly alike.
For more than 278 years, the Charleston Library Society has been a place where readers gather around books, ideas, and conversation. Generations of members have discovered new authors, shared recommendations, and found community through a shared love of reading.
If discussing books is one of your favorite parts of the reading experience, we invite you to join us for Chapter Chats, our member-led discussion group that meets in the Suzan D. Boyd Fellows Lounge on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM. Rather than focusing on a single title, Chapter Chats offers an opportunity to discuss your current favorite reads, to-be-reads, and explore what others in our reading community are enjoying.
Whether you’ve just finished a sweeping historical novel, found a new beach read, or are looking for your next great recommendation, Chapter Chats is a welcoming space to connect with fellow readers.
We hope to see you there—and, as always, happy reading!