Special Collections Reference Coordinator, Emily Corbin, helps researchers locate the materials they’re looking for in Special Collections. Now that it’s summer, let’s see what Emily suggests for some lighter reading.

First up is The Wok: Recipes and Techniques by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt.

Summer is the perfect time to experiment with new, easy recipes, and if you haven’t tried cooking with a wok, let this be your sign to try it! In The Wok, Lopez-Alt provides over 200 recipes for simple dinners, from Pad Thai, to Kung Pao Chicken, to dumplings. Beyond just the recipes, Lopez-Alt teaches readers the basics of wok cooking with techniques like stir-frying, braising, and even steaming using a wok, in addition to knife skills and pantry stocking.

The Wok is available at the Science Commons at Emory and Dekalb County Public Library.

Next up is Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives by Mary Laura Philpott.

Mary Laura Philpott takes readers on an introspective journey through pain, coping, and finding meaning in life after darkness. Through stories and memories, Philpott brings levity and joy to the tough lesson that even love cannot stop bad things from happening. This definitely isn’t the lightest read, as it “tackles the big questions of life, death, and existential fear with humor and hope,” but is an emotional journey well worth taking.

Bomb Shelter is available at Dekalb County Public Library.

Finally, Emily recommends Happy Place by Emily Henry.

Happy Place follows the story of “perfect couple” Harriet and Wyn at their friends’ annual beach getaway in Maine. The thing about the perfect couple, though, is that they actually aren’t a couple- and haven’t been for five months. To not ruin the week, Harriet and Wyn lie to their friends (and themselves) about the breakup. Can they pull off this week-long charade?

Happy Place is available at Dekalb County Public Library.

Like what you see? Stay tuned for more summer reading recommendations from the faculty and staff at Pitts and Candler!