Between Two Covers: Summer Reads with Carl Erickson

June 4th, 2025

As temperatures rise and summer settles in, it’s the perfect season to slow down and lose yourself in a good book. That’s the spirit behind Between Two Covers, a recurring segment celebrating books, bookstores, and the people who bring stories to life. Partnering with The Bookworm, this segment highlights new releases, literary gems, and thoughtful recommendations from readers and writers alike.

This summer, we turned to Carl Erickson, a frequent contributor to Between Two Covers, for his top seasonal picks. With years of teaching, reading, and reviewing under his belt, Erickson offers selections that stretch across genres and themes—perfect for long afternoons, travel days, or quiet mornings on the porch.

Carl Erickson’s Top Summer Reads:

• The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
  “This is one of those novels that balances beauty, humor, and social reflection all at once,” says Erickson. Set in a small Pennsylvania town, it weaves together the lives of marginalized communities with lyrical prose and unforgettable characters.

• The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
  A darkly comic family saga that explores anxiety, economic collapse, and the impact of generational change. Erickson calls it “unexpectedly funny and surprisingly moving,” and notes it’s the kind of book that stays with you long after the final page.

• North Woods by Daniel Mason
  Spanning centuries and genres, North Woods tells the story of a single plot of land in New England and the people who pass through it. “It’s almost like reading a time-lapse of America itself,” Erickson says. A haunting, beautiful choice for fans of literary fiction.

Whether you’re heading to the lake, staying cool at home, or browsing your favorite indie bookstore, Between Two Covers is your companion in literary exploration. And if you’re in Omaha, be sure to visit The Bookworm to see the official segment poster and browse staff picks and local recommendations.