August — with its warm days and cool nights. Marquette with its endless beaches and peaceful parks. What better time and place to devour a Summer Read from the PWPL stacks. Here’s a few new books that might help relax August away.

Love the Office Ladies podcast? Jenna Fishcer and Angela Kinsey from “The Office” have written a new book called “The Office BFFS.” Post Roast celebrations when they found out the show was going to be a series, personal photos and memorabilia from the set, and all the comedic moments that made the show a success — this book has it all. B.J. Novak says he learned more about the show from Jenna and Angela’s book than he did from working on the show. The back-and-forth writing also shows the deep friendship that started, and then blossomed on and off set.

Looking for a feel-good romance? “The Body Guard” by Katherine Center offers romance, laugh-out-loud moments and an unexpected ending. When a female bodyguard is hired to protect a superstar actor from a Corgi-breeding stalker, the two accidentally get mistaken by paparazzi as boyfriend and girlfriend. When the star, Jack goes home to see his sick mother, the Body Guard, Hannah, goes along, as his pretend girlfriend. As these stories often do, the close proximity creates an environment where the two learn to appreciate and start to like each other. But Hannah is too professional to let this happen. Or is she? This fun, light read is a must Summer Read.

In “The Sign for Home,” Deaf/Blind Arlo Dilly wants to find love. He wants to share life with another, but it seems impossible as he’s under the strict guardianship of his uncle. Being Jehovah’s Witness makes things even more complicated, because he’s only allowed to marry other Jehovah’s Witness. Arlo often finds himself thinking of a girl he met years ago at a boarding school for the deaf. She told him the best stories, and Arlo is convinced she is the love of his life. During a college writing class Arlo relives these moments as he writes about them, unlocking his desire to find the girl. He asks his interpreter and college friend to help him on his journey. This coming-of-age story offers diverse perspectives and uplifting moments.

In “The Unsinkable Greta James” by Jennifer E. Smith, Indie musician Greta’s life is the definition of upheaval. When her mother suddenly dies, Greta loses it during a show, and a video of that moment goes viral, bringing her singing career to a standstill. Her father reminds her that music shouldn’t have been her only career plan. Her father also invites her along on the cruise he was to go on with her mother in celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary. Greta reluctantly agrees and finds herself on a cruise ship in Alaska. A week away from packed music venues and city life, Greta has time to examine what she wants for her future, and how family connection with her father factors in.

By Jenifer Kilpela

Communications Coordinator