We asked Mizzou Librarians to tell us what their favorite read of the summer was and asked them to explain why it was their favorite. They could:

• Write a few sentences OR
• Provide 3-5 descriptive words OR
• What emojis would describe the book?

The books could be published in any year and any genre as long as they were available at Mizzou Libraries or in Mobius.

We know it’s hard to pick a favorite book, but we have some great selections to add to your tbr.

Heartstopper Vol. 3 by Alice Oseman

“The Heartstopper graphic novel series is A+. It’s about young love and finding yourself. My jaw hurt from smiling the entire time reading this,” -Taira M.

The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin

“Truman Capote spills the tea on New York socialites,”- Diane

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum

“A woman reinvents herself and her life by starting a bookshop in her beloved local community. A lovely, heartwarming read about identity, goals, dreams as well as finding community,” Stara H.

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

“Hopeful, a new way to think about loss and death,” – Megan

Goodbye Hello: Processing Grief and Understanding Death Through the Paranormal by Adam Berry

“This is not a self-help book. It is Adam’s personal take on grief and dying from both a supernatural and psychological standpoint, peppered with stories and interviews from his career in the paranormal. You might find out you’re not crazy/it’s not just you after all.” – Mara, your morbidly curious librarian

A Pirate’s Life for Tea: a Cozy Fantasy with Ships Abound by Rebecca Thorne

“I just discovered the cozy fantasy subgenre, which this novel falls into. It also has many of my favorite things: tea, adventure, good people, and a little romance.” – Noel K.