热点大瓜

If you’re looking to liven up your summer reading, University Libraries has just the thing for you.

UB Libraries is launching its first summer reading program, the “ to keep students, staff and faculty engaged during the summer months.

Here’s how it works:

Just download the to complete five reading challenges across five literary categories.

“Participants are invited to complete five challenges, one in each theme, that require them to read books in specific categories, visit local libraries or bookstores, engage with the UB Libraries and, generally, share the love of reading with others,” says Mary Kamela, student support and engagement librarian.

Once you have completed five challenges, submit your board at the library services desk in either Lockwood or Abbott libraries during the first week of the fall semester, Aug. 25-29, to earn a swag bag. Participating students also will qualify to be entered into a drawing for a gift card from a local bookstore.

UB’s summer reading challenge was inspired by the nostalgia for the classic reading program and similar initiatives, Kamela says.

“Not every challenge requires participants to read an entire book,” Kamela says. “We wanted to keep this fun and manageable for those who may have a busy summer schedule.”

And, if you’re just looking for a beach read to take on vacation, the Summer Reading Stampede offers that, too. Check out these recommended titles and from some of our UB librarians:

“The Five” by Hallie Rubenhold

This is not your typical true crime story. Rubenhold tells the stories of the “canonical five” victims of Jack the Ripper in Victorian London and how they have been misrepresented throughout history. It’s a fascinating look at life of the poorer classes in 1880s England and what abysmal circumstances these women had to deal with before their unfortunate demise. Five out of five grim stars! — Molly Dahl Poremski, social science and humanities librarian

“Diavola” by Jennifer Thorne

Not ready to wait until fall for spooky season? This book is a summer beach read with a horror twist. The Pace family reunites in Italy for a Gothic villa vacation, but past resentments aren’t the only thing haunting them on the trip. If you like “The Haunting of Hill House, Diavola is for you. — Laurel A.D. Mueller, medical and biomedical sciences liaison librarian

“Annihilation” by Jeff VanderMeer

“Annihilation” follows a team of four scientists on a dangerous expedition into the uncharted Area X. Previous expeditions have been mired in mystery, illness and betrayal. Blending science fiction, horror and environmental themes, “Annihilation” is for anyone interested in thought-provoking, chilling stories. — Allyson Wood, engineering librarian

“Our Wives Under the Sea” by Julia Armfield

Miri reunites with her wife, Leah, whose exploration submarine went missing for months. But Leah won’t eat; she’s obsessed with water and will talk of nothing but the ocean. Miri is trying to figure out what’s going on while we learn about Leah’s harrowing time at the bottom of the sea. — Natalia Estrada, digital scholarship librarian

“Seven Days in June” by Tia Williams

“Seven Days in June” is a perfect summer romance novel about two writers who had a whirlwind week of romance in their teenage years and reconnect 20 years later. Author Tia Williams writes this second-chance-at-love story with realistic characters and emotional depth. — Beth Carpenter, undergraduate engineering and instruction librarian

“Isola” by Allegra Goodman

Historical fiction with a strong female lead. A story inspired by the life of Marguerite de la Rocque. Marooned on a remote island in the St. Lawrence River in the 16th century with her maidservant and lover, she fights to survive in the harsh conditions of this remote and unforgiving climate in the early days of Canadian settlers. — Deborah Chiarella, associate librarian and liaison to the departments of Music, and Theatre and Dance

“They Called Us Enemy” by George Takei, et al.

This graphic novel memoir is centered around actor George Takei’s childhood experiences in an American concentration camp during World War II. Through its beautiful illustrations by Harmony Becker, this memoir reveals insight into both the terrors of the camps along with the small joys of childhood, creating a moving and memorable reading experience. — Jessica Hollister, dental liaison librarian

“Apple: Skin to the Core” by Eric Gansworth

This memoir in verse sheds light on the Native American experience, discussing the author’s own life growing up on Western New York’s Tuscarora Reservation, as well as the experiences of his ancestors, particularly regarding residential schools. Reading this book educated me on aspects of American history, both local and national, that I had not had the opportunity to read about before. I also really enjoyed the unique format of this memoir and the visual art that Gansworth includes in the book. In addition to his work as a writer, artist and speaker, Gansworth is a professor of English at Canisius University. — Mary Kamela, student support and engagement librarian