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We asked, you answered: Summer reading picks

By Jessica Swarner

July 25, 2025

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In an earlier newsletter, I talked about Maricopa County’s summer reading program and asked our subscribers what they have been reading this summer.

I received some great replies, so I wanted to share them with everyone else!

  • “The Art Thief” by Michael Finkel — Jude C.
  • “Eleanore of Avignon” by Elizabeth DeLozier, “Becoming Madam Secretary” by Stephanie Dray, and “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver — June D.
  • “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson — Terry G.
  • “Braiding Sweet Grass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmerer” — Sharon L.
  • “The Sunflower House” — Cheryl P.
  • “The Women” — Joeann F.

I love that “Demon Copperhead” was mentioned because we just included Barbara Kingsolver on a list of great Arizona authors.

In terms of summer reading programs, Elizabeth R. noted that she is doing The New York Times’ summer reading bucket list, which has some fun challenges on it.

Right now I’m reading “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath and really enjoying it. I read some of her poetry earlier this month, and it made me want to read more of her work.

I haven’t quite hit 1,000 minutes with the county’s program, which ends Aug. 1, so I’ve got some more work to do!

 

MORE: 5 Arizona authors you’ll want on your summer reading list

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CATEGORIES: LOCAL NEWS

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