The Lake Oswego Public Library has kicked off their Summer Library Challenge of 2026. Open to all ages the challenge runs from June 1st through August 31st and is filled with special events, fun challenges, reading tracking and drawings for prizes.
Register online and then visit the library to claim your free book (kids/teens) and registration packet (adults) just for signing up! Drop-in family activities will be held every Wednesday in Rossman Park through August 5 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
And be sure to check out Lake Oswego’s newest (and only) bookstore – Thirsty Caterpillar, which the founder, Elizabeth Rogers, describes as an experiential bookstore. Curious what that means? Check it out online and in person at 4200 Mercantile Drive in Lake Oswego.
We’ve put together a recommended reading list to help you meet your summer reading goals. Enjoy!
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page is a heartfelt novel about grief, healing, and the transformative power of books. After the death of her husband, Joe, Tilly Nightingale is surprised to learn that he arranged for her to receive one carefully chosen book each month for a year, each accompanied by a personal letter. As Tilly works her way through the books, she gradually rediscovers her love of reading, reconnects with the world around her, and begins to imagine a future beyond her loss. Along the way, she forms an unexpected bond with Alfie, the owner of the local bookshop helping deliver Joe’s gifts. Warm, emotional, and perfect for book lovers, the novel explores how stories can help us navigate heartbreak, find community, and open ourselves to new chapters in life.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke is a thought-provoking blend of satire, thriller, and social commentary that follows Natalie Heller Mills, a popular “tradwife” influencer who has built a lucrative social media brand around an idealized vision of traditional family life. When she suddenly finds herself thrust into the harsh realities of the mid-1800s, Natalie is forced to confront the vast difference between the romanticized lifestyle she promotes online and the difficult, often brutal realities of the past. As the story unfolds, the novel explores themes of identity, social media, gender roles, and the gap between appearance and reality, all while keeping readers guessing about what is truly happening to Natalie.
The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett is a heartwarming and darkly funny novel about PJ Halliday, a grieving 63-year-old lottery winner who sets out on a cross-country road trip to reconnect with his high school sweetheart. Along the way, he unexpectedly becomes the guardian of his estranged brother’s orphaned grandchildren and is joined by his adult daughter and a quirky cat named Pancakes, who seems able to predict death. As they travel together, the unlikely family confronts loss, addiction, forgiveness, and second chances, discovering that healing and connection can emerge from even the most difficult circumstances.
Look Closer by David Ellis is a fast-paced psychological thriller that begins with the shocking murder of a wealthy Chicago socialite and unfolds through multiple unreliable narrators. As detectives investigate, layers of deception, hidden identities, long-buried secrets, and elaborate schemes emerge, revealing that nearly everyone involved is concealing something. Filled with twists and unexpected revelations, the novel explores obsession, revenge, and the dangerous gap between appearances and reality, keeping readers guessing until the final pages.
Conform by Ariel Sullivan is a dystopian romance set in a future society ruled by the powerful Illum, where people’s worth is determined by genetics, health, and their ability to reproduce. Emeline, a lifelong outsider marked as defective, is unexpectedly chosen as the Mate of an elite Illum leader, thrusting her into a world of privilege, secrets, and political intrigue. As she becomes entangled in a growing rebellion and finds herself torn between loyalty, love, and freedom, Emeline begins to question everything she has been taught about her society and her place within it. Filled with romance, suspense, and social commentary, the novel explores identity, power, and the courage to challenge an unjust system.
Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan is a charming contemporary romance about Dolly Brick, a hardworking single mother who returns to her Rhode Island hometown to help her struggling family. When she unexpectedly becomes involved in a fake dating arrangement with Stewart Whitfield, a wealthy heir recovering from a public breakup, their pretend relationship gradually develops into something real. As Dolly navigates family responsibilities, old wounds, and questions of self-worth, she discovers that accepting love and support can be just as important as giving it. Warm, funny, and heartfelt, the novel explores family, second chances, and the courage to choose happiness.
Waiting at Hayden’s by Riley Costello (yes, the one and the same as the Realtor Riley Costello) is a touching romance about childhood sweethearts who promise to reunite in five years at their favorite restaurant if their love lasts, while the restaurant owner faces her own relationship challenges. It’s a heartfelt story about timing, love, and destiny. You can find it on Amazon.
If your summer challenge is buying or selling your home, give us a call. Recognized as two of the top Lake Oswego Realtors, we’d love to put our 30+ years of experience to work making your next move your best one!
Kevin Costello kevin.costello@cascadehasson.com 503.939.9801
Riley Costello riley.costello@cascadehasson.com 971.322.6205
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