No doubt your younger patrons are anxiously awaiting their impending summer freedom and are chomping at the bit for some great reads, bounding up to your reference desk with eyes full of anticipation.

Or not.

Whether you are met with more reluctance than voraciousness at your branch, you are all surely in need of some great books to recommend.

Enter Random House Academic’s new 12 Best Bets For Summer Reading brochure and Summer Reading webpage. Both resources are chock full of the newest graphic novels, adventures, could-be classics, and biographies… a collection your kids will dig. The Summer Reading webpage also features free teacher’s guides, articles for professional development, links to lesson plans, author biographies, and an educational calendar marking key anniversaries with teachable book suggestions.

Ah August!  Sun, surf and extra time for reading.  Here’s what the Random House, Inc. Library Marketing Staff is bringing on vacation.

Jen:

Sherry Thomas DELICIOUS: This top-notch (though not cookie-cutter) historical romance will surely heat up your beach blanket, even on a cloudy day.  Library Journal just gave it a starred review.

Erica:

Catherine Sanderson PETITE ANGLAISE: If Bridget Jones had been a real woman living in Paris, juggling a dying romance with the demands of motherhood, she too might have discovered escape, excitement, and–possibly–true love, though not in a diary, but through the click of a mouse as…Petite Anglaise.

Marci:

Rita Rudner I STILL HAVE IT…I JUST CAN’T REMEMBER WHERE I PUT IT: If you’ve ever seen Rita live in Las Vegas, or on one of her PBS fund-raisers you’ll know why this will have people nearby in their beach chairs looking at you laughing away as you read this.  Seriously hilarious.

Marie:

Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY: Written in letter form and set against the back drop of post-WWII Britain, this is a light and endearing story of friendship met with humor and warmth.  A quick, fun read.  check out the official Guernsey site.

Dave:

Haruki Murakami WHAT I TALK ABOUT WHEN I TALK ABOUT RUNNING: If you find it strange that I chose a book about running for best beach reads, you’re probably not alone, but Murakami’s dream-like prose is perfect for slipping in and out of consciousness–and besides, reading about someone else running while you’re sipping lime-aid is just unbeatable.