“Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind” – Seals & Crofts
In this week’s What’s New at Smiley Library article, I will be taking you all on an unofficial tour of Fire Island, New York. I know what you are thinking, “Shannon, how are you going to take all of your dedicated readers to the glitzy Fire Island? Did you win the lottery or something?” Unfortunately, no, I did not: I will be taking you all there through the art of the written word! The three books that are featured in this article all take place on Fire Island. So, pack your proverbial bags and let’s go!
Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum is our first book that features our destination spot, Fire Island. Every summer, friends Jen and Lauren, along with their spouses, descend upon the island and start their usual summer routine of gossip, backstabbing, and manipulation until their usual summertime antics get thwarted by a dead body. I don’t know about you all, but this may throw a wrench in our vacation. Let’s see what the second book entails.
Kismet by Becky Chalsen is our second stop on our tour of Fire Island. Twin sisters Amy and Jo Sharp pack their bags and head to Fire Island for a whirlwind weekend of celebrations. Like with most gatherings involving family and friends, secrets are revealed and friendships are put to the test.
Ok, we have made it to our final destination on Fire Island, which by chance happens to be the title of the last book featured in this article. On Fire Island by Jane L. Rosen is told through the perspective of 37-year-old book editor Julia Morse. Julia dies and instead of “crossing over” she decides to spend her last summer watching over her family at their vacation home on Fire Island. This book isn’t as sad as it sounds, I promise.
I hope you all enjoyed our tour of Fire Island as much as I did.
Shannon Harris is a library specialist who dreams of living on an island one day.