Are you finding yourself with a lot more time to read lately? You’re not alone. With fewer options for hitting the town or traveling, countless people are turning to books to pass the time, learn new things, and explore other worlds. Here, we flip through some best-sellers and offer suggestions for some stimulating reading in your Terraces at the Ambassador Gardens condo or townhouse.

What to Read?

“The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls tells of a journalist’s voyage from the dusty mining towns of the Southwest, to a high-end apartment on Park Avenue. It remained on the New York Times’ paperback bestsellers list for a staggering 440 weeks; testament to how much of a must-read this novel really is.

Georgia Hunter’s debut “We Were the Lucky Ones” is another gripping summer read; it’s based on the true story of one Jewish family torn apart at the start of World War II—but adamant they will reunite.

“A memoir that is fit to stand alongside classics” is how The Sunday Times describes “Educated” by Tara Westover—a story about an Idaho mountain-girl’s struggle for reinvention, which will etch itself into your mind.

Join a Virtual Book Group

Online book groups are all the rage. Among our favorites right now are the Andrew Luck Book Club (in which the former NFL quarterback invites readers to discuss his monthly choices); the History Book Club, where you can brush up on everything from the American Revolutionary War to Madeleine Albright; and the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club, which gives you access to chats with authors such as Gabrielle Zevin, Jane Harper, and William Kent Krueger.

Select a club you think is right for you, then tune in for a chat in the comfort of your Pasadena luxury condo or townhouse. Why not make an event of it by whipping up a tasty cheese board in your chef’s kitchen and pouring a glass of pinot from your expansive Caesarstone kitchen island. Or, for an evening of true relaxation and escape, retire to the sanctuary of your private terrace to enjoy your bookish discourse. It beats the library any day.

Other good summer reads include Elin Hilderbrand’s “28 Summers” — a novel about the legacy of a secret love affair conducted just one weekend every year. And then, there is “A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor,” Hank Green’s much-anticipated sci-fi sequel to his debut novel, “An Absolutely Remarkable Thing.” Expect the mysterious disappearance of a young woman, and the appearance of strange books that predict the future and control those who discover them. It’s a good one to read as the sun sets over Ambassador Gardens.

Looking for something set in Pasadena? Pour yourself a large rye on the rocks, and recline poolside at the Terraces’ outdoor pool while submerging yourself in Raymond Chandler’s locally set thriller, “The High Window.”