That sticky summer humidity broke just in time to give us yet another gorgeous Open Book Night at the Outdoor Reading Room this past Friday night! Patrons of all ages spent the evening reclining on the lawn, enjoying a host of great recommendations, and, for the first time in 30 years, the relaxing sound of Truth and Beauty’s waters flowing nearby. Many thanks to our Schwarzman and Mid-Manhattan reading communities (and, of course the supportive staff members) who made this such an enjoyable program!

We had so many good book suggestions from our adventurous readers. Nearly every book had a strong woman, a quirky guy, an epic storyline, or elements of science fiction and fantasy. Great minds read alike! Here are a few highlights:

First we learned all about Vera Nabokov, a strong woman, the wife of Vladimir, a quirky guy who famously wrote Lolita. Without her, he would never have been the great success we know him to be now. Stacy Schiff’s biography of Vera is a wonderful love story, and a fascinating read! Did you know that Vladimir Nabokov never learned how to drive, operate an umbrella, or type? She was his chauffeur, editor, secretary, and, since she carried a handgun around in her purse at all times, bodyguard.

Next, we took a turn for the epic, with a recommender reading a passage of Virgil’s Aeneid. We went back in time to the Battle of Actium in ancient Rome, a naval battle between the forces of Octavian and Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BC. Ships that move like thunder, the roaring of waves in the sea, and the image of Cleopatra hoisting her flag before her troops all enraptured our audience.

An avid e-book reader took to the stage to talk about two of her favorite epic series of science fiction and fantasy novels. First, we got a rad glimpse of Rock Band Fights Evil, a graphic novel about a troubled rock and roll musician who, while fighting his own demons must also conquer actual demons. This reader also recommends anything by Gini Koch, but especially her Alien series. The Alien series are books centered around Kitty Katt, a tough-as-nails character who runs into some vicious aliens. Our recommender loves these because they are light like chick-lit and fun fantasy novels, except with a punk-rock feminist aesthetic.

Another wonderful feminist book we learned more about was Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s latest book, Americanah. Another unique love story about two strong and interesting people, Americanah takes place in America and Nigeria, and is a thoughtful look at identity politics in both places. Our reader loved that this book was able to capture the nuances of being African in the United States, in particular the contrasting states of being an African American and an African immigrant in America.

Speaking of feminists—did you know that Ann Eliza Young, the 19th wife of Brigham Young (the guy who founded the Mormon religion), was one of the very first feminists? After escaping her marriage, she successfully worked with congress to have polygamy outlawed in the U.S. If you’re into historical fiction, check out The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff.

Yet another reader had a great book suggestion that takes a look at marriage in a different religious community. Rachel Feldman’s Unorthodox is a memoir that chronicles the author’s upbringing in the Hasidic community in Brooklyn, her arranged marriage at seventeen, and the circumstances that led her to leave all that behind.

We veered back to the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy with our final book recommendations, with one reader’s enthusiasm for Philip K. Dick. This reader was especially into A Man in the High Castle, which takes place in an alternate United States. In this America, the Axis won World War II, and Germany and Japan split America in two, and rule over the East and West coasts with brutality.

Another novel of epic proportions in a fictional universe that comes highly recommended is Patrick Rothfuss’s fantasy The Wise Man’s Fear. Our reader described a book that’s filled with adventures featuring fairies, evil mercenaries, and a murder mystery. But what sets this book apart from the rest of the genre is Rothfuss’ lyrical, poetic prose. If you’re the type of reader who tends toward more literary fare—this one might be for you!

Finally, one of our youngest and most avid readers took to the mic to talk all about her favorite series of books—The Magic Treehouse. Inspired by our adult readers’ excited talk of fairies, aliens, and adventures, she was so excited to tell us all about Morgan Le Fay, Jack, and Annie. Her favorites are the ones that take place in the Middle Ages with castles and knights!

Our next Open Book Night will take place August 14 in the Corner Room at Mid-Manhattan Library. Our theme is travel. Is there a book that has transported you to another place, another time, another state of mind? We'd love to hear about it!

If you'd like to share book recommendations with other readers, join us at any or all of our upcoming Open Book Nights at the Mid-Manhattan Library. The complete 2015 schedule is listed below. We meet on the second Friday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Corner Room on the First Floor of Mid-Manhattan, except for the special outdoor Open Books nights we held on June 26 and July 10 at the Outdoor Reading Room. We'd love to see you there!

Past Open Book Nights

Click to see the list of books discussed.

• February 13, 2015 - Love
• April 10, 2015 - New Beginnings
• May 8, 2015 - Nature
• June 12, 2015 - Sports
• June 26, 2015 - Open theme
• July 10, 2015 - Open theme

Upcoming Open Book Nights

• August 14, 2015 - Travel
• September 11, 2015 - New York
• October 9, 2015 - The Occult
• November 13, 2015 - Thanksgiving
• December 11, 2015 - Food and Cooking