It’s time to pack your beach bag because the release of some of the most highly-anticipated books for the Summer is underway! We’ve got a little something for everybody -- some literary fiction, some romance, an essay collection, and a memoir. Not sure what to read while lounging outside under the sun? Check out this list for our soon-to-be favorites that we will be gathering as Summer approaches!
1. Happy Place by Emily Henry
The people have spoken, and Emily Henry has become the master of beach reads. This #1 New York Times best-selling author was catapulted to literary stardom after her novel Beach Read, then People We Meet on Vacation and Book Lovers followed with rave reviews alike. She’s also cherished in the BookTok community, so current and new fans will be thrilled to know that her new novel is out NOW! This story revolves around Harriet and Wyn, two peas in a pod, college sweethearts, and a picture-perfect couple... that is, up until 5 months ago. Now broken up, they must head to their friend groups’ annual escape to the cottage in Maine that has become their collective safe haven. No reason to add to the sadness surrounding the fact that this is everyone’s last time there because the cottage is being sold – Harriet and Wyn will just pretend to be together for the sake of their friends! What could possibly go wrong (or, should we say, right)? This book has "romance classic" written all over it, and the reviews are indicating that we will get to see an even more introspective, profound side of our author.
2. Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby (May 16)
Our essay collection queen is known for books such as Wow, No Thank You. and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life, with her newest collection dropping just in time for Summer. She’s been quite busy the last few years, what with writing for the “Sex and the City” revival “And Just Like That…” She delves into that in her new book, as well as other witty observations and hilarious situations that have occurred in her life. We’ll get to hear about a Reiki experience, her QVC fixation, the chronicles of therapy, facing her very own Pretty Woman moment at a restaurant, and her diabolical dog she got during the Pandemic. With her signature voice and razor-sharp humor, this #1 New York Times best-selling author is sure to have everyone around you at the beach wondering what you’re reading because you can’t stop laughing out loud.
3. The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren (May 16)
Christina Lauren (the blended pen name for Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings) can take their crowns for the reigning queens of romance. With fan favorites like Love and Other Words, The Unhoneymooners, and The Soulmate Equation, this best-selling powerhouse duo never misses. In The True Love Experiment, romance writer Felicity “Fizzy” Chen (who we met in The Soulmate Equation) and documentary filmmaker Connor Prince combine efforts in hopes of skyrocketing their careers. However, it turns out it’s not so easy to separate script and real-life when creating a love story. Christina Lauren is known for delicately crafting characters that feel so three-dimensional they practically leap off the page, and we are counting down the days until we can add Fizzy and Connor to that collection.
4. The Celebrants by Steven Rowley (May 30th)
From the best-selling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Guncle comes his newly anticipated novel, The Celebrants. Described as a modern The Big Chill, this story follows Jordan and 4 of his lifelong friends at their first reunion in 5 years. In the past, they’ve celebrated “living funerals” to heal each other from divorces to deaths to everything in between. Things are different, though, and Jordan is holding in a secret that will change things between them for good. Rowley has been praised for his ability to effortlessly blend heartache and humor, and his novel looks like it will paint a gorgeous and sincerely funny portrait of deep friendship as well as the joys and sorrows of moving from adolescence to adulthood.
5. Pageboy by Elliot Page (June 6)
Star of the Netflix series “The Umbrella Academy”, Oscar-nominated actor Elliot Page is letting the world into his life with his new memoir, Pageboy. After the release of Juno, both the film and Page received popular and critical acclaim. Nevertheless, with fame came the pressure to conform to the standards of Hollywood and play the part of someone else entirely. Including reflections on love, pain, and self-discovery, he allows us to accompany him on what his journey has been as a trans person in the public eye. For lovers of memoirs as well as Page’s acting work, this title is one you don’t want to miss this Summer.