It’s summer — time to hit the beach. You’ll need your bathing suit, sunblock and a good book.
Here’s a guide to new releases hitting the shelves this summer to tote along with you.
Mark W. Moffett, the “Indiana Jones of Entomology,” explains the life of ants in his new book, “Adventures Among Ants.” In tales from Nigeria, Indonesia, the Amazon, Australia, California and elsewhere, Moffett recounts his entomological exploits and provides fascinating details on how ants live and how they dominate their ecosystems through strikingly human behaviors, yet at a different scale and a faster tempo. Should give you a new perspective on all those ants you’ll see while picnicking this summer, too.
Hear it straight from Moffett at powerHouse Arena [37 Main St. between Water and Front streets in DUMBO. (718) 666-3049] on June 22 at 7 pm.
Jane Mendelsohn’s “American Music” probes intersecting tales that emerge from the work done by a masseuse-cum-shaman. Honor is a 21-year-old physical therapist at the Bronx VA hospital; Milo Hatch is a particularly traumatized patient who was severely wounded in Iraq. During Milo’s treatment, both he and Honor begin having visions of people they don’t know.
Be sure to check out a reading and discussion by Mendelsohn on June 2 at 7 pm at powerHouse Arena.
In “Based Upon Availability,” by Alix Strauss, eight women grapple with family, sex, power, love and death. Each of Strauss’ characters are lonely, strong and driven women who, when pushed to the edge, must fight for their lives as they struggle to become the women they wish to be.
Restaurant critic Frank Bruni struggled with over-eating since he was a boy growing up in a food-focused family in White Plains. In his book, “Born Round,” he explains his relationship with food and his inability to control his hunger — manifested in bulimia, convenience store binges, and bouts of sleep eating. An engrossing read from one of the best own food personalities.
Fans of “Top Chef” — don’t miss Bruni, with the show’s Gail Simmons, July 7 at 7 pm at powerHouse Arena.
Want to look at artful pictures rather than read? In “Architecture under Construction,” photographer Stanley Greenberg explores the anatomy and engineering of some of our most unusual new buildings. Framed by a historical and critical essay by Joseph Rosa and including an afterword by the author, the 80 captivating and thought-provoking images collected here focus on some of the most high-profile design projects of the past decade.
Greenberg will be reading at BookCourt [163 Court St., between Pacific and Dean streets, (718) 875-3677] on June 1 at 7 pm.
From Brooklyn’s sizzling restaurant scene, the hottest cookbook of the season. Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli — the two Frankies of Frankies Spuntino in Carroll Gardens — created a menu filled with new classics: Italian American comfort food re-imagined with great ingredients and greenmarket sides. The entire Frankies menu is adapted here for the home cook in their “Kitchen Companion and Cooking Manual.” Bring inspired meals with you while you hit the sand.
Hear the chef’s best recipes at BookCourt [163 Court St., between Pacific and Dean streets, (718) 875-3677] on June 3 at 7 pm.
In the new book, “Talking to Girls About Duran Duran,” Rob Sheffield shares the soundtrack that shaped his coming-of-age story. Make sure to turn up “Hungry Like the Wolf” loud while you read.
See him at powerHouse Arena on July 15 at 7 pm.
“The Seven Year Bitch,” introduces readers to soon-to-be-40 Izzy, who just lost her Wall Street job, has a husband who runs a struggling publishing operation from their apartment, a year-old son, and a growing suspicion she’s living life in captivity. Jennifer Belle’s smart and hilariously ridiculous paean to love, marriage, and a baby carriage has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that come uncomfortably close to the truth about less-than-perfect relationships. It’s quintessential chick lit, but it’s the summer, so don’t feel too guilty.
Be sure to catch her on June 9 at 7 pm at powerHouse Arena.
Daily Show writer Michael Rubens’ sci-fi satire novel, “The Sheriff of Yrnameer,” follows the adventures of Cole, a hapless space rogue, part-time smuggler on a path to being full-time dead. In the spirit of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, “The Sheriff of Yrnameer” is sci-fi comedy at its best — mordant, raucously funny, and a thrilling page-turner.
Want to hear more from Rubens? He’ll be at powerHouse Arena on August 11 at 7 pm.
