It’s almost summertime which brings pool days and beach vacations. These slower days are perfect for reading! With the great books coming out this summer, it’s easy to choose your next read!
As a reminder, I have not read these books already, but I will update with links to my reviews when I do.
All links are Amazon affiliate links. You can also find these books listed in my Bookshop.org shop, which supports independent bookstores and creators.
All books are listed with their anticipated publication dates (subject to change).
Historical Fiction
Favorite Authors
A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys (May 26th)
I am almost a Ruta Sepetys completist; I just have to read her middle grade book from last year to have read all of her books! She usually writes YA historical fiction, but her newest is for the adult market set in the Roaring Twenties.
A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (June 2nd)
A prosecutor and a madam team up to take down a Mob boss in this duo’s latest. I loved their novel about Eleanor Roosevelt and look forward to learning more about the 1930s.
Lost in the Summer of ‘69 by Eliza Knight (June 9th)
I love Eliza’s book and know this novel about a roadtrip with three generations of women in 1969 will be fun!
The Secret Society of Librarians by Kate Thompson (July 21st)
Kate writes the most emotional and informative WWII novels, and her latest about London librarians teaming up during the war is sure to be a hit.
Local to Me Authors
Children of the Wild by Kevin Powers (June 9th)
The author grew up in the Richmond area, and I loved his previous book about Civil War-era Virginia (A Shout in the Ruins). His latest is a literary take on the Great War and how it affects Virginians.
The Half Life by Rachel Beanland (July 14th)
I loved Rachel’s previous book (The House is on Fire) and know this new historical fiction set in Italy is going to be a literary masterpiece! I hope to attend her launch party in Richmond!
New to Me Authors
Song for Another Home by Bora Lee Reed (July 21st)
I hope to learn more about the Korean War in this debut novel. They had me when it was described as Pachinko meets Homegoing!
The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller (August 11th)
Telling the story of illustrious black women like Anna Julia Cooper from the 19th century, this book looks informative. I can’t wait to read it and support a North Carolina author!
Historical Mysteries
Death Was Not on the Guest List by Jenni L. Walsh (June 16th)
A Jazz Age mystery set in the glittering world of Chicago where two socialites try to solve a murder, this historical mystery sounds great! I especially love the touches of F. Scott Ftzgerald in the storyline as well!
The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer (July 21st)
Anything set in a crumbling Gothic mansion is a winner for me. This dual timeline mystery looks haunting!
The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen (August 4th)
1960s Scotland is the setting for this novel where a ghostwriter discovers the book she’s writing is actually a true mystery. I love anything set in Scotland and can’t wait to learn more about the Isle of Sky’s beautiful landscape!
Royal-related (Fiction and Nonfiction)
The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (June 2nd)
Any book about British Royalty is intriguing, but this looks extra spicy as it focuses on the Queen Mother and her relationship with her sister-in-law, Wallis Simpson.
The Queen’s Coronation by Jennifer Ryan (June 2nd)
Set during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, this book follows three young women who work for the Royals. It looks fascinating with lots of period details!
The Secrets of Eaton Square: Sex, Scandal, and Infamy on the Road to Buckingham Palace by Alexander Larman (June 2nd)
A nonfiction look at the scandalous lives of the British aristocracy and Royalty, this book will be a perfect pairing for the fiction titles!
The Kennedys and the Windsors: The Story of Two Dynasties, One Born, One Made by Caroline Hallemann (June 2nd)
I can’t wait to read this nonfiction deep dive into the intertwined legacies of British Royalty and American royalty. It goes up through modern times and looks fascinating!
History Nonfiction
The Capitol: The Surprising Biography of an American Building by Brian Jay Jones (June 2nd)
I cannot wait to read this book all about the history of the US Capitol. When I interned there in college, I gave tours to constituents and loved telling them about the history found in its marble walls. I am sure I will learn even more from this book!
The American School of Spies: The Archaeologists Who Fought the Nazis and Saved the Treasures of Ancient Greece by Stephan Talty (June 9th)
With all of the focus on the Monument Men who saved art from the Nazis, I have never heard of this story about ancient artifacts. Looks intriguing!
Obstinate Daughters: The Rebels, Writers, and Renegade Women Who Ignited the American Revolution by Denise Kiernan (June 23rd)
The celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this summer makes it the perfect time for this book to come out! I can’t wait to discover unknown women who made a huge impact on the American Revolution!
History Travel
Revolutionary Road Trip: Hidden Stories from America’s Founding Journey by Darley Newman (June 30th)
I love following along on Darley’s travels on Instagram and through her TV show. Her road trip to American Revolution sites looks so cool!
Contemporary Fiction
The Valencia Expat Club by June Patrick (June 2nd)
Set on the sun-drenched coast of Spain, this touching women’s fiction looks perfect for summer! I always love books with older protagonists, and this one features a woman going through a divorce who finds a new life on the Costa del Sol.
Arrivals and Departures by Amanda Eyre Ward (June 16th)
A family coming together with all of their baggage for a Greek island vacation sounds like the perfect, soapy read to soak up in the sun. I love any book that takes me back to Greece!
Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty (August 25th)
Everyone is eagerly anticipating this sequel to the insanely popular Big Little Lies. It’s the perfect juicy book to read on a hot summer night!
Romance
Most Ardently Yours by Freya Sampson (July 7th)
Inspired by Jane Austen, this cute romance looks delightful!
Time Slip/Travel Books
This is one of my favorite tropes, and there are so many great new books using this plot device!
Retro by Jessica M. Goldstein (June 23rd)
This book features a time travel agency that takes you to the places in history you want to see. Cocktails in a Prohibition-era speakeasy? Dancing at a Regency-era ball? I would have a hard time choosing where I’d want to go! Can’t wait to read this thought-provoking novel.
Every Version of You by Natalie Messier (July 7th)
Given the chance to go back to her freshman year in college, this novel’s protagonist gets to relive her early adult years, setting up a different future. Sounds intriguing!
The MASH Up by Laurie Marie Myers (July 7th)
When a 35 year old woman wakes up as her 13 year old self living in a MASH game, it leads her to the life she was supposed to live. What 80s/90s child doesn’t want to read this?!
Destination Funeral by Paige Harbison (July 21st)
I enjoyed Harbison’s previous time slip book (The Other Side of Now), and her latest about a friend group coming together for a funeral only to get caught in a time loop looks cute!
Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty (August 4th)
Another novel about a time travel agency which takes clients back to parts of history they want to see or redo. This one is set in Australia and puts three people on a crash course towards each other. Sounds great!
Christian Books
Stories Woven in Silver: Pointing Kids to the Gospel Through Children’s Literature by Kathryn Butler and Korrie Johnson (June 2nd)
I am always looking for resources for parenting, and I love how this book reveals Christian themes in children’s literature. While my kids are almost all adults, I still plan to read it and save for future grandchildren!
So many great books! Hope you can fit in more reading on these slower days!
