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The 4th of July is almost here, and that means you’ll need some reading material for your long holiday weekend! Who doesn’t love a holiday that calls for BBQs, picnics, outdoor lounging, and fireworks? Before you hit the beach, hammock, or couch, check out these Independence-Day-themed books for kids and adults, including some tasty summer cookbooks to help you plan the perfect 4th of July party. 1776 Author: David McCullough Historian David McCullough’s account of 1776 — the year of America’s birth — is already a classic. Moving back and forth between the 13 colonies and England, you’ll learn what [...]

Jane Austen may have only written six novels, but you’d never know it by the sheer volume of updates, retellings, unofficial sequels, and fan fiction that’s been written in and around the worlds she created. Here are some of our favorite modern version of Jane Austen’s classic romances, from Northanger Abbey to Persuasion. Which is your favorite Jane Austen retelling? Unmarriageable Author: Soniah Kamal This twist on Pride and Prejudice sets the classic romance in modern-day Pakistan. Even though scandal and rumor have destroyed the Binat family’s social prospects, their second-oldest daughter Alys has found a satisfying career teaching English literature [...]

Father’s Day 2016 is Sunday, June 19! We think a book makes the perfect gift for your favorite father figure, and our suggestions include brand-new history, science, finance, and thriller selections — perfect for reclining in a La-Z-Boy or hanging out in a hammock. (Want more book ideas, both fiction and nonfiction? Check out our Summer 2016 Book Preview.) Book Gifts for Dad The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World's Most Precious Manuscripts Author: Joshua Hammer Ignore the awful title, because the true story behind it is actually pretty cool. This is the story of [...]