If you're participating in this year's #ThisIsTucson Summer Reading Challenge and you've already breezed through the list, or you're just waiting for your turn to pick up a book from library's hold list, the Pima County Library has come to the rescue with five lists of books inspired by our challenge to help you find your next great read. 

Our reading challenge features 18 books in nine categories that all have some connection to Tucson, Arizona or the southwest. 

The library's reading lists inspired by our picks, were created by staff from the Pima County Public Library. Titles on the lists range from novels set in the southwest inspired by our "Non-soon novels" category to books that will help you learn all about America's national parks inspired by our "Babbling books" category featuring books about nature. 

Our bookstore partners, Antigone BooksBarrio Books, Bookmans, and Mostly Books also have select titles from the challenge for sale. 

Links to the library's recommended reading lists can be found below, and you can place holds at www.library.pima.gov.

Sunny Stories: Children's Books

Our picks:

  • "Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Evan Thomas"
  • "Meet ClaraBelle Blue" by Adiba Nelson 

Go here for the library's list of inspired titles.

Nonsoon Novels: Fiction

Our picks: 

  • "Half Life" by Jillian Cantor
  • "Sonora" by Hannah Lillith Assadi

Go here for the library's list of inspired titles

Babbling Books: Nature

Our picks: 

  • "The Secret Knowledge of Water" by Craig Childs
  • "The Nature of Desert Nature" edited by Gary Paul Nabhan

Go here for the library's list of inspired titles

Bacon-wrapped reads: food

Our picks: 

  • "A Desert Feast: Celebrating Tucson's Culinary Heritage" by Carolyn Niethammer
  • "The Man Who Ate Too Much: The Life of James Beard" by John Birdsall

Go here for the library's list of inspired titles

Jave a helping hand: Expert guidance

Our picks: 

  • "Neon Words: 10 Brilliant Ways to Light Up Your Writing" by Marge Pellegrino and Kay Sather
  • "How to Weave a Navajo Rub and Other Lessons from Spider Woman" by Lynda Teller Pete and Barbara Teller Ornelas

Go here for the library's list of inspired titles


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