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Bronwyn Carver, a Street Roots vendor, recommends the 2001 book "Crash" by J. G. Ballard.

Summer Reads 2021: Street Roots vendors’ book picks

Street Roots
We asked Street Roots vendors to recommend their favorite books
by Street Roots | 23 Jun 2021

SUMMER READS 2021

Street Roots’ picks

Kids’ picks

Advocacy leaders’ picks

Vendors’ picks

Bookseller’s picks

We asked Street Roots staff, vendors, contributors, volunteers and their kids, as well as local advocacy leaders, to recommend books for summer reading. 

Here are the Street Roots vendors' picks. They are also all available through local booksellers and the Multnomah County Library system, unless otherwise noted.

 

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

by V.E. Schwab (2020)

A New York Times best-selling novel about a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever — and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

“I relate to it sometimes. I sometimes feel invisible and think people forget me.”

– Char Garcia

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Permanent Record

by Edward Snowden (2019)

Permanent Record is the extraordinary account of a bright young man who grew up online — a man who became a spy, a whistleblower, and, in exile, the Internet’s conscience.

“It’s the truth.”

– Bob Dickey

 

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Castle Roogna

by Piers Anthony (1979)

This fantasy novel is the third book in the Xanth series.

“It’s a fantasy fiction book that is well written. It’s a nice escape.”

– Jason Scheer

 

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An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It

by Al Gore (2006)

A groundbreaking book about climate change from the former vice president of the U.S.

“It’s an eye opener. It’s very informative.”

– Doug Marks

 

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East of Eden

by John Steinbeck (1952)

East of Eden is a sprawling epic in which Steinbeck created his most mesmerizing characters and explored his most enduring themes: the mystery of identity, the inexplicability of love, and the murderous consequences of love’s absence.

“It’s one of the best character stories I’ve ever read.”

– Daniel Toole

 

The Bible

(1611)

“Some people need to read it.”

– Honey Badger

 

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The Wheel of Time (book series)

by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson (1990-2013)

A series of fantasy novels spanning 14 volumes.

“It’s a really good series. There’s morals behind everything the characters do. There’s gender equality. Every one of the books was a struggle. A fight between good and evil.”

– Shaun Kirk

 

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Where the Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls (1961)

“It’s a classic, and every young person loves the adventures he does.”

– John Smith

 

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Star Trek Voyager Homecoming

by Christie Golden (2003)

After seven long years in the Delta Quadrant, the crew of the Starship Voyager now confronts the strangest world of all: home.

“It’s the events that immediately happen after Star Trek Voyager.”

– Tina Drake, Street Roots vendor liaison

 

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The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively

by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell (2012)

Discover how to speak your child’s love language in a way that he or she understands.

– James Duby, Street Roots vendor team staff

 

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The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts

by Gary Chapman (2015)

“Everybody should read it. It makes sense if you want to have a strong relationship with your significant other.”

– Jack Van Dyke

 

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Crash

by J. G. Ballard (2001)

A classic work of cutting-edge fiction, Crash explores both the disturbing implications and horrific possibilities of contemporary society’s increasing dependence on technology as intermediary in human relations.

“It takes erotica to an interesting level. It explores the human brain and what turns somebody on and what doesn’t.”

– Bronwyn Carver

 

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The Fountainhead

by Ayn Rand (1996)

Rand’s provocative novel presents one of the most challenging ideas in all of fiction—that man’s ego is the fountainhead of human progress.

“The author is someone I don’t agree with politically, but it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read.”

– Daniel Toole

Street Roots is an award-winning weekly publication focusing on economic, environmental and social justice issues. The newspaper is sold in Portland, Oregon, by people experiencing homelessness and/or extreme poverty as means of earning an income with dignity. Street Roots newspaper operates independently of Street Roots advocacy and is a part of the Street Roots organization. Learn more about Street Roots. Support your community newspaper by making a one-time or recurring gift today.
© 2021 Street Roots. All rights reserved.  | To request permission to reuse content, email editor@streetroots.org or call 503-228-5657, ext. 404.

    

Tags: 
Street Roots vendors, Art and Literature
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