2023 Summer Reading Guide

2023 Summer Reading Guide

 

Summer reading means something a bit different to everyone, but I’ve got you covered in my 2023 Summer Reading Guide. Some of you like to put their brains completely on vacation with fun, easy reads. Some of you like an action-packed page turner. Some of you want something with a bit more substance. And some of you might like to head off the beaten path.

Personally, I like books you can fly through, books you don’t have to work too hard on, and books you can get easily immersed in. This doesn’t mean I avoid hard topics in my summer reading, I just typically avoid books that require lots of concentration.

I’ve read every book that appears on this list and, as always, will continue to add new selections throughout the summer

And, this year in particular, do not sleep on the Slow Burn Suspense section…4 out of my 6 Slow Burn Suspense picks are 5 star reads!

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s episode of the Sarah’s Bookshelves Live Podcast…where Susie from Novel Visits and I talk about books that missed last year’s Summer Reading Guide, deep backlist summer picks, and our #1 2023 summer picks!

We have 2 Add-Ons for you this year (one free and one as part of our Superstars Patreon Community):

  • Printable Cheatsheet (FREE) – the Summer Reading Guide in quick recommendations in PDF format for easy printing (great for taking to the bookstore or library!).
  • Summer Shelves (my companion to the Summer Reading Guide) is BACK!
    • Exclusively available to Superstars patrons ($7 / mo).
    • Summer Shelves features BACKLIST summer reading recommendations from 17 former podcast guests, Sarah’s Bookshelves Live Patrons, and our team members.
    • Summer Shelves is clean, crisp, and unique and you’ll receive it in a PDF file format via Patreon.
    • If you’d like to get the Summer Shelves companion guide, you can sign up to be a Superstars patron here. You’ll also get access to a monthly bonus podcast series called Double Booked (where Catherine or Susie and I share our own book recommendations in the same format as the big show) and my Rock Your Reading Tracker.
Get Summer Shelves

 

Previous Summer Reading Guides: 2013201420152016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).

2023 Summer Reading Guide

Latest Additions (July 14, 2022)

Banyan MoonBanyan Moon by Thao Thai
Literary Fiction – Debut (Release Date: June 27, 2023)
336 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Banyan Moon is a multi-generational family drama centered around the women in a Vietnamese family living on the Gulf Coast of Florida. We get the perspective of 3 generations of the Tran family: Ann, the adult daughter who has left Florida and is building a glitzy, new life with her wealthy professor boyfriend. Huong, Ann’s mother who regrets not having a closer relationship with Ann. And, Minh, Huong’s mother and Ann’s grandmother, whose death brings Ann home at the beginning of the book.

My Thoughts: I almost DNF’d this book during Chapter 1, but Chapter 2 pulled me in and I’m so glad I stuck with it. This is a really atmospheric book. You can feel the heat and humidity of the Florida coast. The Grey Gardens-esqe Banyan House is a central character in the story. This story is a celebration of women and family history. And, secrets of course. It’s also about leaving home, returning home, and figuring out where your home is. 

How to Stay MarriedHow to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key
Literary Fiction – Debut (Release Date: June 27, 2023)
336 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Humor writer Key (he’s very dry and uses morbid humor, which I loved) tells the true story of his marriage hitting the skids when his wife has an affair with a neighbor and family friend.

My Thoughts: This story turned out to be far different than I expected. I expected a kind of crazy infidelity story, but I got much more. On the surface, things seem very cut and dried. But, they’re absolutely not. There are a lot of complications and I was pleasantly surprised by that. I do feel like people will have strong opinions about decisions Harrison and Lauren made, which may turn some people off, but this also makes for excellent Book Club conversation. Key does examine himself and his own actions that may have contributed to his wife’s unhappiness in their marriage. He also talks about his faith and experience in the church, specifically his disillusionment with his church. Highly recommend on audio!

My MurderMy Murder by Katie Williams
Speculative Crime Fiction (Release Date: June 6, 2023)
304 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: In My Murder, five women who were murdered by a serial killer were brought back to life as clones by a government project called the Replication Commission. The Replication Commission is not a secret, so the clones of the five women get to re-enter their lives. BUT…all is not as it seems.

My Thoughts: I’ve never read Speculative Crime Fiction before and I loved this highly unique genre mash-up. The story is set in a near future world that includes a heavy virtual reality element, clones, and self-driving cars…but, is pretty similar to ours beyond that. The first half of the book is very “WTF is going on” and, beyond that, the story takes a bit to get to the central point of what it’s truly about. But, things do become clear and the pace takes off in the second half. Williams asks interesting questions about motherhood, marriage, and the “right” type of murder victim that gets the general public motivated to fight back. And, the ending completely surprised me – was way out of the realm of anything I would’ve guessed. A perfect pick if you’re sick of run-of-the-mill crime fiction.

Talking at NightTalking at Night by Claire Daverley
Literary Fiction (Release Date: June 6, 2023)
400 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: This love story is between Rosie and Will, who meet in high school, despite being from different parts of the high school social hierarchy. They initially form a relationship through late night conversations before they hit some very real and large roadblocks.

My Thoughts: I’ve talked about my love for the Micro Genre of Intense, Sometimes F’d Up Love Stories that Definitely Aren’t Romances…and I’m adding this 5 star debut novel to the list! I read this 400 page character-driven book in 3 days, which is fast for me. I would describe this as an intense, nontraditional love story that’s definitely not a romance. It’s not in the F’d up category. This couple has real obstacles to overcome that go beyond the “he’s a sociopath” obstacle of Tell Me Lies. It’s like Normal People, but with less dark and with less of the millennial angst. I’d also add a comparison to I Could Live Here Forever.

Art ThiefThe Art Thief by Michael Finkel
Nonfiction – True Crime (Release Date: June 27, 2023)
240 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: The Art Thief is the true story of the world’s “most prolific art thief.” Frenchman Stephane Breitwieser and his live-in girlfriend (kind of a Bonnie and Clyde style partnership) stole more than 300 works of art from museums, cathedrals, and castles in multiple European countries over 10 years. Unlike most art thieves, Stephane didn’t steal for money, he called himself a “collector with an unorthodox acquisition style “ and “an art liberator.”

My Thoughts: I’m not particularly interested in art or heist stories, but I know Michael Finkel can tell a compelling story…about any topic. And, he did. I was riveted. Finkel covers how museum security (or the lack thereof) works. And, he talked extensively with Breitwieser and shared psychologists’ profiles of him, so we go deep into his psyche and motivations. I highly recommend this on audio, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini.

YellowfaceYellowface by R.F. Kuang
Literary Fiction (Release Date: May 16, 2023)
350 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: When June Heyward’s college friend and literary darling, Athena Liu (who is Chinese American), dies in a freak accident, June (who is white) finds her unpublished novel…and decides to publish it as her own after extensive edits, setting off an unsettling chain of events. 

My Thoughts: Yellowface is one of my favorite books of 2023 so far! I couldn’t put it down and it’s a book that you will immediately need to talk about with someone else who’s read it. The narrative voice is deliciously b*tchy and almost every character in this story is unlikable (take note, if this bothers you in books). Kuang goes behind-the-scenes of the publishing industry, revealing juicy dirt about how books get made. She also addresses cultural appropriation, racism in the publishing industry, social media, and who gets to tell what stories. Perfect for book clubs!

Something Light / Fun

I couldn’t choose between my top two picks in this category, so I’m giving you two #1 picks!

My #1 Pick

A Likely StoryA Likely Storyby Leigh McMullen Abramson
Brain Candy (Released March 14, 2023)
352 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Isabelle Manning is the daughter of legendary novelist Ward Manning…who is also an egotistical D-bag. She’s always idolized her Dad and wanted to follow in his footsteps as a serious novelist. After her beloved mother passes away, Isabelle discovers her family might not be as it always seemed to her.

My Thoughts: Wealthy people behaving badly has been done many times at this point, but Abramson made her debut feel unique and I think it will be one of my top underrated gems of 2023. The juicy plot and sharp social commentary about the wealthy (mostly from the Nick Carraway-style outsider perspective of Isabelle’s friend, Brian) help this story stand out. I also loved the exploration of what it’s like to be the child of a legend and the behind the scenes of the publishing industry. I thought I knew where this book was going…and I did to a certain extent, but Abramson added layers on top that were totally unexpected.

Romantic ComedyRomantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Romance (Released April 4, 2023)
320 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: A famous person / civilian romance where our main character (Sally) is a comedy writer for The Night Owls, an SNL-like late night comedy sketch show. She’s known for her feminist humor and she’s working on a sketch skewering the trend of hot actresses and models dating very average male comedy writers when legendary singer Noah Brewster arrives to host the show. As Sally works with Noah on his hosting stint, she begins to suspect sparks are flying.

My Thoughts: Curtis Sittenfeld isn’t known for her romance novels, but she’s bringing her more literary style to the romance genre here. I’d heard mixed reviews before I read Romantic Comedy, but I was completely pleasantly surprised! Early on, there’s almost no hint that this is even a romance novel (a plus for me!). I got pulled into Sittenfeld’s world building of the comedy show and comedy writing in general. Sittenfeld did an excellent job with the humor, particularly through Sally’s sketches and jokes. This is also a story about the intensity of creating with someone. Given this novel doesn’t feel like a traditional romance, I’d recommend it for people who are just starting with the genre.

Funny You Should AskFunny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
Romance (Released April 12, 2022)
352 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Chani Horowitz is a journalist specializing in celebrity puff pieces…and she’s assigned to write a piece on her celebrity crush, Gabe Parker, to convince the public that he is, in fact, a good choice to be the next James Bond despite being an unconventional choice for the role. Their interview feels more like a date and is followed by a weekend of going to a premiere with Gabe and other non-interview-like outings. 10 years later, Gabe requests Chani to do another interview…this time to rehabilitate his image after an alcohol addiction.

My Thoughts: I love romances about fame and this one is based on journalist Edith Zimmerman’s real life interview with actor Chris Evans in GQ Magazine. This story explores what happens when sparks fly between a famous actor and the journalist interviewing him…and depicts a romance between people in their 40’s. This didn’t feel like a breathless romance…more like a connection book. 

If We're Being HonestIf We’re Being Honest by Cat Shook
Contemporary Fiction (Released April 18, 2023)
304 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: This is a “death brings the family together, chaos ensues” book. The funeral is for Gerry, the patriarch of the Williams family, which is one of the “old” families in the small Georgia town where the story is set. The story takes place over the course of 1 week. Gerry’s extended family is in town including his grandchildren (who are in their 20’s). Gerry’s best friend gives his eulogy and drops a bomb on everyone. Gerry’s family and family friends work to process this new information as well as work through some of their individual problems. 

My Thoughts: This debut Brain Candy style family drama made me feel like these characters were people I recognized. Shook’s perspective as someone who grew up in the South, but now lives in New York, is a perfect balance between love and understanding of Southern culture and enough of an outsider view to observe its quirks and faults. I loved the dynamic of the adult cousins (in town for their grandfather’s funeral) and the relatably sarcastic voice and tone. This is a character-driven story that you read because you want to spend time with these people, not for a twisty plot. PS – what a great first line: “Gerry Williams’ funeral was a shit show.”

Killers of a Certain AgeKillers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
Fiction – Thriller, Released September 6, 2022
368 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Four women in their 60’s have worked for an elite International organization of assassins called The Museum for decades. They go on a retirement trip only to find out someone from inside The Museum is targeting them.

My Thoughts: This story is FUN! One Goodreads reviewer described this book as “if The Golden Girls were trained assassins” and I can’t say it any better than that. This is very much a girl power book (or should I say “ladies of a certain age” power book?) and includes excellent commentary about how society treats older women. I loved the tongue in cheek tone, the action / adventure feel, and the spycraft (these women are creative in how they kill people!). If you can overlook some plot holes, this one is fresh and fun!

Pineapple StreetPineapple Street by Jenny Jackson 
Brain Candy (Release Date: March 7, 2023)
304 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Pineapple Street follows 3 women who are part of the very wealthy Stockton Family of Brooklyn Heights, NY. Oldest daughter, Darley who is married to a successful self-made investment banker, sister-in-law (Sasha) who is married to the son (Cord) and comes from a middle class background, and the youngest daughter (Georgina), who is fairly spoiled and in love with someone unattainable. There’s a family brownstone on Pineapple Street that Cord and Sasha live that’s the family’s center, but also the cause of some tension.

My Thoughts: This debut novel is an easy, breezy beach read with a bit of substance. The Stockton family isn’t particularly likable, but they do have some redeeming moments. This story asks thoughtful questions about money…its impacts on a family and children’s coming of age and the bubble you live in when you have money. It also addresses class differences within a marriage.  

Same Time Next SummerSame Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan 
Romance (Release Date: June 6, 2023)
320 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Same Time Next Summer is a second chance love story featuring Sam, who is engaged to her “perfect on paper” doctor fiance (Jack). When Sam and Jack visit her family’s Long Island beach house to look at wedding venues, Sam’s childhood love who broke her heart (Wyatt) is at his family’s house next door.

My Thoughts: The author of 2022’s hit romance, Nora Goes Off Script, is back with her sophomore novel and it’s NOT a sophomore slump! This story captures the best parts of young love in spades…and some of the warts. I got Joey and Dawson from Dawson’s Creek AND Sweet Home Alabama vibes. The quirky, artsy family beach house is the perfect summer setting…comfortable and nostalgic. There’s a great set of grandparents with no filter and the story doesn’t suffer from overwhelming banter (like Emily Henry’s books do for me).

Idea of YouThe Idea of You by Robinne Lee 
Romance (Released June 13, 2017)
372 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Solene, a 39 year old divorced mother of a 13 year old daughter takes her daughter and some friends to a post-concert meet and greet with a super famous boy band (much like One Direction). Solene and Hayes, one of the boy band members (who is 20 years old), feel an immediate and undeniable connection. Despite some reservations, they pursue this relationship, but roadblocks lie ahead.

My Thoughts: On first glance, the premise of this super steamy romance is completely ridiculous. I shocked myself by 100% buying into this story. I flew through it in 1.5 days and it’s unputdownable. I loved that the story broke some romance tropes: the couple gets together right away (rather than going through a long, drawn out “will they or won’t they?”) and one other element that I can’t talk about without getting spoiler-y. It also deals with fame, ageism, and social media culture. If you loved The View Was Exhausting, Red White and Royal Blue or American Royals, you’ll love this romance! 

The SelectionThe Selection by Kiera Cass 
Romance – Young Adult (Released April 24, 2012)
336 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Plot Summary: In a future USA that is both ahead of our time and harkens back to the past (a rigid caste system, a Royal Family, etc), America Singer is in love with a boy from a lower caste (which is strictly forbidden) when she receives an invitation to enter “The Selection,” a Bachelor-like elimination process to find a wife for the Prince. Once America is in this competition, she has to juggle her feelings for her love at home and her developing feelings for the Prince.

My Thoughts: Young Adult romances are rare books choices for me, but when I heard The Selection (the first in a series) was like a cross between The Hunger Games and The Bachelor, I had to try it! The story is about how the Selection is going to turn out, what’s going to happen to America, and how she’s going to handle these two men in her life. It’s the FLUFFIEST of Brain Candy (think Cotton Candy) and makes an excellent guilty pleasure choice. Note: you do have to read further into the series for a resolution to the story. 

Women Are the Fiercest CreaturesWomen Are the Fiercest Creatures by Andrea Dunlop 
Contemporary Fiction (Released March 7, 2023)
272 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: This is the story of a devious tech startup CEO (Jake Sarnoff) as told by the 3 women he erased from his successful start-up’s history: his ex-wife who helped him build the company, his college girlfriend, and his much younger second wife.

My Thoughts: Dunlop’s previous novel (We Came Here to Forget) was an underrated gem for me the year it came out and I think Women are the Fiercest Creatures will be an underrated gem for me in 2023. I loved the backdrop of women in venture capital and how few women-led businesses get VC funding. This story is also about how women cater to men and men move through life subconsciously expecting it. But, despite the depressing issue that Dunlop beautifully addresses, this is a story of hope and overcoming the B.S. surrounding these women. It’s a great light read with substance that feels different from your average Brain Candy.

Something Intense / Fast-Paced

My #1 Pick

DrowningDrowning by TJ Newman
Action Thriller (Release Date: May 30, 2023)
304 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: I didn’t read the publisher’s blurb before reading this book and recommend you don’t either (they reveal the first 1/3 of the plot!). Just know that, a few minutes after taking off from Honolulu airport, a passenger jet crashes into the ocean, but things go horribly wrong with the rescue effort. And, this story is primarily about the rescue effort.

My Thoughts: TJ Newman’s sophomore novel (the follow-up to Falling) is the fastest-paced novel I’ve read all year. It’s pure adrenalin in a very physical way…to the point where I had to stop reading it right before bed because it kept me awake. Drowning stays in Newman’s lane of aviation action thrillers. I’m fascinated by all the flight procedures and she did such a good job explaining them in a way that made sense and was interesting to a civilian, which makes sense since Newman is a former flight attendant. There’s also a family element to this story, which adds heart. 

Distress SignalsDistress Signals by Catherine Ryan Howard
Fiction – Crime Fiction (Release Date: May 5, 2016)
368 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Adam’s longtime girlfriend (Sarah) goes missing. Circumstances are murky and the police think she left voluntarily. Then, Adam receives her passport in the mail along with a note that says “I’m Sorry”. He takes the investigation into his own hands and connects her to a cruise ship called Celebrate.

My Thoughts: Diving into Catherine Ryan Howard’s backlist is an ongoing project of mine and her debut novel, Distress Signals, is now my second favorite of her books (behind The Nothing Man). I love my thrillers to have “something more” and the “something more” here was the intricacies of maritime law and how it makes crimes on cruise ships super easy to pull off. Howard’s pacing was excellent and the ending brought multiple layers of surprises. 

Red WidowRed LondonRed Widow and Red London by Alma Katsu (Series)
Fiction – Thrillers (Released March 23, 2021 and March 14, 2023)
352 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: In Red Widow, after CIA Agent Lyndsey Duncan was sent home from her post in Beirut under a cloud of scandal, the CIA calls her back to tackle a suspected threat to their Russia Division. Once back in the office, she and the famous “Red Widow” (the widow of a legendary CIA agent who was killed in a botched mission in Russia) are forced to untangle the mystery of what’s threatening the Russia Division in their own ways. 

In Red London, Lyndsey Duncan is sent to London to be the “handler” for a very important new CIA asset (source) and is pulled into a situation involving a Russian oligarch living in London.

My Thoughts: I had no idea that Alma Katsu (author of The Hunger) had a 35 year career in Intelligence with several different U.S. Agencies, including the CIA and the NSA, prior to writing her first novel. She brings this personal experience as a rare female in a male dominated business to her CIA spy thriller series. I loved the behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the CIA and particularly being a woman at the CIA. 

While Red Widow focuses on life in a CIA home office, Red London is set in a post-Ukraine conflict / Putin era where the result was a disaster for Russia and I loved this “what if” look into the Russian geopolitical situation. I also loved getting a window into how London’s Russian population integrates into the city. You don’t have to read Red Widow before picking up this one, but I do recommend it for a fuller experience.

Angel MakerThe Angel Maker by Alex North
Fiction – Thriller (Released February 28, 2023)
336 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: I recommend avoiding the publisher’s blurb, as it gives away too many plot details. My more vague version: Katie Shaw’s senior year in high school is shattered when something happens to her younger brother, Chris, who she’s always been protective of. Years later, Katie is married with kids when she finds out her brother has gone missing. Chris’ disappearance unlocks dark secrets involving the legendary serial killer, The Angel Maker. 

My Thoughts: The Angel Maker is one of the more unique thrillers I’ve read lately. In the beginning, there are a couple seemingly disparate pieces of the story that I knew were going to come together, but I had no idea how at the time. North connected these pieces beautifully with excellent pacing. I said “oh shit” twice out loud in the first 20%. In addition to crime fiction, this is a family story in multiple ways. North studied philosophy and there is a pretty big philosophy element in this book, which makes this book stand out, but it also gets overly esoteric at times. Ultimately, I loved the overall message of using agency to do good in the world.

The LocalThe Local by Joey Hartstone
Fiction – Legal Thriller (Release Date: June 14, 2022)
320 Pages
Affiliate Link: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: A Marshall, TX patent lawyer decides to take on his first ever criminal case when one of his patent clients is accused of murdering the Federal judge who presided over his initial patent eligibility hearing.

My Thoughts: Patent law might sound boring, but the patent law landscape in Marshall, TX (it’s a hotbed for patent law) is not. The history behind this unlikely phenomenon gives this story the “something more” element I always crave in my thrillers. I also love when my legal thrillers give good insight into legal and trial strategy and Hartstone reminds me of Steve Cavanagh (Thirteen) in that way. A great pick if you’re looking for something fast-paced that will easily keep your attention.

The OneThe One by John Marrs
Fiction – Speculative Thriller (Release Date: February 20, 2018)
291 Pages
Affiliate Link: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Scientists have discovered a gene that pairs every person with their one true soulmate. A company called Match Your DNA has monetized this in a way that resembles Ancestry.com). The One follows 5 people as they navigate finding their Match…playing out all the implications of this new technology.

My Thoughts: This genre mash-up (Speculative Fiction / Sci-Fi / Romance) was so unexpected, so surprisingly twisty, and thought-provoking at the same time! It felt fresh and unique even though it came out a couple years ago. The One has a Love, Actually vibe, but these stories can only be called love stories in the most untraditional sense. Every single one of these 5 people’s stories went in directions I never imagined…I said “holy sh*t” out loud multiple times. It also raised fascinating questions about soulmates (Are they good or bad? Would you want to know if you had one?, etc) that make this an excellent book club pick. 5 resounding stars!

Wrong Place Wrong TimeWrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
Fiction – Thriller (Release Date: August 2, 2022)
416 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: As McAllister put it in her Author’s Note, Wrong Place, Wrong Time is “a crime novel where you must stop the ending, told backwards.” While waiting up for her teenage son, Todd, his mother (Jen) sees him commit a crime out the front window. The next morning, Jen wakes up and it is the day before the crime…and it happens again and again.

My Thoughts: Time travel is usually a dicey prospect in my reading, but the time travel element felt like a supremely interesting structure in this mystery / thriller (it also helped that Jen, the main character, is also skeptical of what is happening to her). This is just as much a family story (with lots of commentary on motherhood and marriage) as it is a crime novel. It’s super intricately plotted and the story grew on me with each new layer that was revealed. This story felt like Catherine Ryan Howard at her best and it’s my favorite thriller of 2022!

Slow-Burn Suspense

My #1 Picks

I couldn’t choose between my top two picks in this category, so I’m giving you two #1 picks…again!

All That is Mine I Carry with MeAll That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay
Family Drama / Crime Fiction (Release Date: March 7, 2023)
336 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Plot Summary: The story of the wife and mother of 3 children (Jane Larkin) who disappears in 1975. Though the police suspected her husband (Dan, a criminal defense attorney), there was no evidence, so he went on to raise the 3 Larkin children. Her remains turn up decades later, focusing new attention on the case.

My Thoughts: 11 years after his mega-hit, Defending Jacob, former prosecutor William Landay is back with another 5 star crime novel. Landay melds crime fiction and family drama so well in this emotional roller coaster of a story. Making Dan (the father and suspect) a legendary defense attorney added a layer of intrigue and I love how this case explored the court of public opinion and what it’s like to have a father who’s a suspected criminal. We hear from 4 points of view: a writer who is a friend of one of the Larkin kids, Jane, Jeff (Larkin brother), and Dan himself. I was surprised by the ending and was dying to get back to this book whenever I wasn’t reading it.

I Have Some Questions For YouI Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
Campus Crime Fiction (Release Date: February 21, 2023)
438 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Bodie, a middle aged podcaster returns to her childhood boarding school to teach a course. While she’s there, she becomes intrigued by her old classmate’s (Thalia) murder and the conviction of the school’s athletic trainer.

My Thoughts: I love when an author known for her “literary” writing takes on a different genre. Makkai, whose literary novel The Great Believers I loved, elevates the crime fiction genre AND the campus novel genre with this 5 star read. The longer I read, the deeper I thought about the issues Makkai addresses beyond the who-dun-its of the crime: society’s obsession with Dead White Girls (and the lack of focus on crime victims of color), the power of gossip and rumor, examining actions from a different time through today’s lens, and the intersection of crime and media. It’s long (450 pages), but I didn’t feel the length! PS – This is THE book of 2023 so far!

Decent PeopleDecent People by De’Shawn Charles Winslow
Historical Fiction (Release Date: January 17, 2023)
272 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Plot Summary: Set in the small town of West Mills, NC (near the Virginia border) in the 1970’s, the story begins with the triple murder of the adult siblings of a prominent, Black family. Law enforcement doesn’t put much effort into investigating the crime, but a West Mills native moves back to town and begins digging into what happened.

My Thoughts: Decent People kicks off with a triple murder, but that’s not really what this story is about. The triple murder here is more of a vehicle to explore race, privilege & homophobia in a small Southern town in the 70’s in this character-driven story. It’s not the focus of the story, though the reader does get resolution to the murders. I loved the small town vibes…the kind of town where everyone knows everyone and has history with each other (including the cops).  

Everyone in My Family Has Killed SomeoneEveryone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
Mystery (Release Date: January 17, 2023)
384 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Every member of Ernest Cunningham’s family has killed someone…and they all meet at a remote Australian ski resort for a family reunion. What could go wrong?

My Thoughts: This mash-up of family drama and murder mystery is one of the more unique murder mysteries I’ve ever read and the publisher says it’s a “reboot” of the Golden Age locked room mystery. The plot is smart and intricate – perfect for puzzle lovers – and made me want to concentrate to put all the pieces together. Jaw dropping revelations about various family members added to the twisty feeling of the murder mystery. But, the two things that made this mystery stand out to me were: 1) Ernest’s sarcastic and salty voice. This is a funny murder mystery. 2) The meta way he pokes fun at the Mystery / Thriller genre…even breaking the fourth wall to talk directly to the reader about particular plot devices he’s using. This is was a 5 star read for me and is one of the best books I’ve read this year!

More Than You'll Ever KnowMore Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez
Fiction – Contemporary (Release Date: June 7, 2022)
435 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: In 1985, an international banker named Delores Rivera married Andres, who she met at a wedding in Mexico City. But, she already has a husband (Fabian) and 2 sons back home in Laredo, TX. After juggling her 2 marriages, she’s exposed and one husband murders the other one. Decades later, a true crime journalist sees a newspaper article about this story and decides to write a book about the woman behind this crime.

My Thoughts: This genre mash-up of a debut novel has been a bit misunderstood, but it’s a 5 star read for me! There’s a crime at the center of this story, but it’s not a thriller (as many readers expected). It’s a character study of the complex and fascinating (if not totally likable) woman behind a highly unusual crime (a woman living a double life that leads to a murder). This story is deeply layered, touching on the public’s fascination with true crime, gender, marriage, motherhood, and Mexican economic history and its interaction with the economies of Texas border towns. The ending is smart and surprising, yet felt 100% earned. This story felt fresh and would make a fantastic book club pick.

Reef RoadReef Road by Deborah Goodrich Royce
Slow Burn Suspense (Release Date: January 10, 2023)
320 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: I recommend skipping the publisher’s blurb (it gives away a plot point I would rather not have known in advance) and going in with the fact that this story is about how 3 elements connect: a severed hand that washes up on the Reef Road beach in Palm Beach, FL during the 2020 COVID shutdown, a thriller writer who’s haunted by the unsolved murder of her mother’s best friend when they were 12 back in 1948 Pittsburgh, and a woman living on Reef Road in Palm Beach who is married to and has 2 young children with a man from a wealthy Argentinian family.

My Thoughts: Reef Road is slow burn crime fiction that is much more layered than I expected! There is an actual crime in the author’s family history that loosely inspired this story. Like the writer in this story, the real crime haunted her family for generations…and this story goes into the generational trauma that can result from being close to an unsolved murder. It also gets meta with the crime fiction genre and incorporates some real life people and events (i.e. Dominick Dunne, Michelle McNamara, the Dirty Wars in Argentina). The COVID shutdown setting adds an eerie, desolate feeling and is critical to the plot. Some of the characters went a little over the top at the end, but overall a unique crime story in a genre filled with sameness.

Something with a Bit More Substance

Yet another category where I’m choosing two #1 picks. This time, it’s because one of them is sadder than what many people consider ideal summer reading to be. So, I tacked on a more light-hearted choice as well.

My #1 Picks

Hello BeautifulHello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Literary Fiction (Released: March 14, 2023)
400 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Set in 1980’s Chicago, a young boy’s (William) older sister died while his mom was in the hospital giving birth to him. William’s sister’s death completely changed the fabric of his family, leaving him feeling neglected and unloved until he finds basketball and a girlfriend whose family (including 3 sisters) he finds solace in.

My Thoughts: This family drama is my Best Book of 2023 So Far and is a great pick for fans of Ask Again, Yes and The Heart’s Invisible Furies. This story completely stole my heart. It’s warm, emotional and full of love, while also being incredibly sad and dealing with serious issues. It’s about trauma, healing, mental health, the important things in life, and the psychology of surviving children. And, I obviously loved the focus on sports as a way to save yourself and the deep dive into sports injuries in particular. Depending on your taste in Summer Reading, this one has the potential to be sadder than Summer Reading usually is. If this is not what you’re looking for, I recommend my second #1 pick…

Late BloomersLate Bloomersby Deepa Varadarajan
Literary Fiction (Release Date: May 2, 2023)
368 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: An Indian couple (living in Texas) who divorce 36 years into an arranged marriage both venture into the dating world to sometimes funny and sometimes disastrous results while their 2 grown children, a son and daughter, are also going through struggles in their own lives.

My Thoughts: This debut family drama is told in a warm, funny voice that brought me back to many of the books I loved in 2022. This is a story about second acts and pushing out of your comfort zone even when it’s scary. Amid this big change in the family, everyone acts out of character (including the grown children) – and the family has to come to terms with its “new normal.” I loved the commentary about marriage, relationships with adult children, and parenting adult children. It felt like a more light-hearted, less jaded, and less sarcastic version of Fleishman is in Trouble. The mix of humor, sentimentality, nostalgia, and warm-heartedness made this a standout debut for me.

I Could Live Here ForeverI Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin
Literary Fiction (Released April 12, 2023)
336 Pages
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Plot Summary: I recommend avoiding the publisher’s blurb as it reveals the big reason this particular relationship is messed up, which I loved discovering on my own (but, check the blurb if you’re sensitive to triggers). This story features Leah, a grad student in an MFA Program in Madison, WI and Charlie, a guy she meets in the checkout line at the grocery store. That’s all you need to know.

My Thoughts: I love an intense, messed up love story that’s absolutely not a “romance” novel and this one was 5 stars! This is a character-driven story that’s so emotionally intense that it reads like a page turner (I read it in 1.5 days and could NOT put it down). Halperin’s writing made me root so hard for Leah and Charlie, but I was also terrified for them. I loved the dynamics of the MFA experience that made up the background for Leah’s and Charlie’s relationship. It’s a sad, emotional book, but one that will pull you in and not let go.

Like a House on FireLike a House on Fire by Lauren McBrayer
Literary Fiction (Released April 26, 2022)
320 Pages
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Plot Summary: Merit, a mother of 2 and not unhappily married to her husband of over a decade, starts to feel stuck in her life and returns to her career as an architect. Her new boss, Jane, is over a decade older than Merit…she’s sophisticated and at home in her own skin. She sees Merit as a woman beyond a wife and mother…making Merit come alive in her own life. Merit has to figure out what Jane is to her and what she wants for her life.

My Thoughts: This love story (but, NOT a romance) was such a pleasant surprise for me. This is a story of intense connection between two complex women (they reminded me of Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach), rather than torrid romance (though there is a bit of that). It’s also about a woman who carries the load for most people around her finally meeting someone who appreciates what she needs, what she wants, and what she’s going through. There’s a lot of gray area here because her husband is just sort of oblivious, but he’s mostly a good Dad and treats her mostly well. McBrayer’s journey writing this book is fascinating, so check out this Vogue article AFTER you’ve finished the book.

MaameMaame by Jessica George
Literary Fiction (Release Date: January 31, 2023)
320 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Maddie’s (aka “Maame”), a 25 year old Ghanian living in London, Dad has Parkinson’s disease and Maddie is his primary caretaker while her Mom spends long periods of time back in Ghana. When her Mom returns from her most recent stint in Ghana, Maddie starts to think about living a more independent life.

My Thoughts: I’ve been loving the “voice-y” novels by London-based authors lately (also Someday, Maybe and People Person) and this debut is exactly that. This is a coming of age story, but for your mid-20’s, a time when people are figuring out who they are and what they want to do with their lives. The story is character-driven and talks a lot about grief, responsibility to your family, and dating in your 20’s. It’s a bit of a mash-up between Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong, Ghosts by Dolly Alderton, and Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli.

My Last Innocent YearMy Last Innocent Year by Daisy Alpert Florin
Literary Fiction (Release Date: February 14, 2023)
304 Pages
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Plot Summary: Set in at an elite New Hampshire boarding school in the 1990’s, a Jewish student (Isabel Rosen) begins an affair with a married professor while she’s in the depths of recovering from a nonconsensual sexual encounter with one of the only other Jewish students at the school.

My Thoughts: The book world is full of campus novels, particularly ones involving #metoo themes (i.e. My Dark Vanessa), but this debut felt unique and I read it in 2 days. The title is apt because there was a big feeling of loss of innocence, coming to understand that adults don’t know it all or always do the right thing, and how an experience can shape your worldview later in life. My Last Innocent Year stood out from My Dark Vanessa and others for me because there’s a lot of gray area here about consent, but Isabel is also internally conflicted about her own role. There is also a backdrop of Jewish culture and Isabel being an outsider at this college full of wealthy students. Finally, the Clinton / Lewinsky scandal is going on in the background and it’s sprinkled throughout the book. This will be one of my most underrated gems of 2023!

Our Best IntentionsOur Best Intentions by Vibhuti Jain
Contemporary Fiction (Release Date: March 14, 2023)
352 Pages
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Plot Summary: In an upscale Westchester area town outside of New York City, Angela, an Indian-American high school student and the daughter of an immigrant single father, comes across a fellow student, a popular boy from a wealthy family (and her best friend’s brother), stabbed in the stomach. Suspicion immediately falls on a black girl who is relatively new to their school.

My Thoughts: This debut novel will likely be one of my top underrated gems of 2023. Don’t miss the Author’s Note at the end of the book, where Jain talks about how this story was inspired by some real cases she heard from an Uber driver. This book isn’t about the stabbing itself, it’s about the ripple effects of this crime on the surrounding community, particularly relating to race, class, and privilege. Angela and her father bring an immigrant’s perspective of Black / white race issues in America and about being neither Black nor white. I love how Jain addressed important issues in a propulsive package.

People PersonPeople Person by Candice Carty-Williams
Fiction – Literary (Release Date: September 13, 2022)
336 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: People Person is the story of a father and his 5 children who were conceived with 4 different mothers in a series of one night stands. After having been estranged for years, they finally meet at a park only to become estranged yet again. Years later, when 2 of his daughters are 30, the 5 siblings are brought together again through an unfortunate event.

My Thoughts: This successful sophomore novel is hard to talk about because so much of what I loved about it was in the surprise of the plot…none of which is mentioned in the publisher’s synopsis. The writing made this book for me. Carty-Williams writes about serious issues in a lighthearted way that’s full of dry humor. The crux of this story is five half siblings who do not know each other, but are thrust into a situation that immediately bonds them. For better or for worse. The story explores questions of obligation to family, especially family you were not previously close to.

Symphony of SecretsSymphony of Secretsby Brendan Slocumb
Literary Fiction (Release Date: April 18, 2023)
448 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Bern Hendricks, one of the most prominent experts on the music of Frederic Delaney, one of the most celebrated American musicians in history (who is white), is called to New York City to help authenticate a piece of Delaney’s music that’s just been discovered. When he gets there, his research leads him to discover that Delaney’s music may have been stolen from a Black woman named Josephine Reed. This sets up a battle between Bern and his partner (Eboni) and a powerful organization.

My Thoughts: Brendan Slocumb is a Black classically trained violinist and, like his debut The Violin Conspiracy, Symphony of Secrets is a suspenseful novel set in the classical music world (note: you don’t need to be into classical music to love his books). For those that read The Violin Conspiracy, you should know this book is less of a page turner and it’s a bit heavier on the music detail…especially in the first half. It took me a bit to get into it…but, I tore through the second half. I loved the 2 women at the center of this book. Josephine, who is neurodivergent, and Eboni (Bern’s partner – heavily on the tech side) are both fighters in their own ways. I also loved learning the history of this disappointing phenomenon that went on in the music world back in the 1920’s. 

The ComebackThe Comebackby Ella Berman
Contemporary Fiction (Release Date: August 3, 2020)
378 Pages
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Plot Summary: Grace Turner was a successful movie star who was on the cusp of catapulting her career to the next level when she disappeared from public view for a year. When the story starts, she’s returned to LA to try to reclaim her career and is forced to face her experience with the man who made her career…and she his.

My Thoughts: This story was much darker and character-driven than I expected. Maybe the Hollywood setting led me to think it would be lighter? Berman is thoughtful in her exploration of issues like the dark side of fame, what it’s like to be a child star, a sisters relationship, and the MeToo movement and the feelings that go along with them.

The IngenueThe Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
Literary Fiction (Release Date: December 6, 2022)
320 Pages
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Plot Summary: Former piano prodigy, Saskia, returns home to Milwaukee after her mother dies, leaving the family estate (“Elf House” – based on 2 elf statues at the front door) to a complicated man from her past. Saskia has to decide if pursuing what she sees as her rightful inheritance is worth buried secrets being revealed.

My Thoughts: I loved Kapelke-Dale’s debut novel, The Ballerinas, and she’s done it again with The Ingenue! The Ingenue was such a pleasant surprise for me: the story went in unexpected directions and was much more layered than I anticipated. There’s a coming of age element, the family drama, and the fact that Saskia is a piano prodigy…and what that does to a young girl’s psyche. Though it’s not a particularly plot-driven book, there is still suspense and Kapelke-Dale generates so much tension through her writing style. This was one of my top underrated gems of 2022!

Rachel IncidentThe Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
Literary Fiction (Release Date: June 27, 2023)
304 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Set in Cork, Ireland during the 2010 recession, this story is about the platonic, but somewhat obsessive friendship between Rachel, a University student who works at a bookshop, and her co-worker, James. Rachel develops a crush on her married professor, Dr. Byrne, and very complicated relationships evolve from all of this.

My Thoughts: This novel that’s been compared to Sally Rooney (which I kind of see, but Rooney is much darker) is a singular book that I don’t have a great read-alike for (I actually love when this happens!)…and, it will be one of my favorite books of 2023 (5 stars)! Rachel and James are magnetic together and I could’ve been a fly on the wall of their relationship forever. This book is incredibly voice-y in a low-key quirky, smart, and funny way. There are some character twists that I did not see coming, but once they happened, I thought, “of course, that’s perfect.” The story also deals with quarter life and figuring out your direction amid a recession…plus, a bookstore / publishing backdrop as a cherry on top. One of the rare 2023 books that has felt fresh to me!

Woman with the CureThe Woman With the Cure by Lynn Cullen
Historical Fiction (Release Date: February 21, 2023)
400 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: The Woman with the Cure is a novel inspired by Dr. Dorothy Horstmann, the woman who was one of the key scientists responsible for developing a cure for Polio. The race to develop the polio vaccine as portrayed by the media was a 2 horse race between Dr. Albert Sabin and Dr. Jonas Salk. Dr. Horstmann was rarely mentioned.

My Thoughts: A traditional Historical Fiction book I actually really liked…and, bonus that it’s WWII adjacent! This story joins the fast-growing Micro Genre of Historical Fiction novels about women whose vast accomplishments were overlooked at the time they lived, which I love. Academic rivalries and backstabbing add suspense and drama to this story. And, of course, Cullen delves into the struggles of being a woman in Science in the 1940’s and 50’s and a woman’s experience trying to “have it all” (bonus: she reminded me of Elizabeth Zott from Lessons in Chemistry minus the unintentional humor). 

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and TomorrowTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Fiction – Literary (Release Date: July 5, 2022)
416 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Sam and Sadie met as young kids and bonded over video games. Years later, they run into each other in a subway station in Boston, and from that meeting, a legendary collaboration is born.

My Thoughts: Despite the hype, I was averse to trying this book because it’s about video games, which are the #1 source of arguments in my house. But, I’m eating my words because most of the video game focus is on making the games rather than just playing them. That made it feel a bit more like a story about creating art and running a business than playing video games. Another way Zevin gets around the gaming is that this story is all about the creative process…they could’ve been writing a book together. She captured the group dynamics of working with your friends…the immense love and collaboration that feels like a symphony, but you also get simmering resentment, and jealousy. Like many of my favorite books of 2022, this one felt fresh, creative, and unique.

We Are All Completely Beside OurselvesWe Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
Literary Fiction (Release Date: May 30, 2013)
310 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: I was told to go into this book completely blind and that I highly recommend that! I loved being surprised by the totally unexpected direction this story took, so here’s what I’ll tell you about the plot: this one of the most unique family dramas I’ve ever read. That’s all.

My Thoughts: This story is about the power and slipperiness of memory, regret, and love of family. I just loved these characters. The voice is chuckle funny and very dry. The first half is a kind of random collection of memories without a huge narrative through-line and it feels meandering. The plot really takes off in the second half. Fowler pulls in some real-life elements that I had fun Googling and I found a documentary about the real life element depicted in this story that was excellent. This is an emotional, heartfelt story that would be great for book clubs.

Something Different

My #1 Pick

Good for a GirlGood For a Girlby Lauren Fleshman
Nonfiction – Sports Memoir (Release Date: January 10, 2023)
288 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Lauren Fleshman is a retired elite runner who was sponsored by Nike before moving onto the female-led company, Oiselle. She was the founder of Picky Bars and is now a coach and activist for women’s sports.

My Thoughts: Good for a Girl is SUCH an important and fascinating book that felt ground-breaking to me for women’s sports, though I do think it’s for a niche audience (anyone interested in women’s sports, women’s rights or reimagining various industries). Like Lauren herself, this book is an intersection of sports, business, and advocacy. And, it’s a disruptor for women’s sports. She explores how elite sports are built around men and women are just expected to fit into that structure. She covers the puberty plateau, unhealthy eating habits, unfair sponsorship practices, being an elite athlete as a mother, and how she became a feminist entrepreneur alongside her running career. HIGHLY recommend for anyone with daughters in sports.

Bad City Bad City: Peril and Power in the City of Angels by Paul Pringle
Nonfiction – Investigative Journalism (Release Date: July 19, 2022)
304 Pages
Affiliate Link: Amazon | Bookshop.org Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: A young girl in her 20’s overdosed in a fancy LA hotel room…and Dr. Carmen Puliafito, Dean of the USC Medical School, was at the scene. LA Times reporter Paul Pringle received this tip, started digging, and found much more than he’d anticipated…including a cozy relationship between his employer and USC.

My Thoughts: This mind-blowing story is investigative journalism at its page turning best! Bad City is a mash-up of multiple other nonfiction books I’ve loved: We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper (the culture of silence and cover-ups at a prestigious academic institution), Catch & Kill by Ronan Farrow (behind the scenes of breaking a major news story amid intentional sabotage from your own news organization), and I think it’s the kind of story Dominick Dunne would’ve loved.

Bully MarketBully Market by Jamie Fiore Higgins
Nonfiction – Workplace Memoir (Released August 30, 2022)
320 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Author Jamie Fiore Higgins is a former Managing Director for Goldman Sachs and was the highest ranking woman in her department. In Bully Market, she shares her experience in the toxic work environment at Goldman.

My Thoughts: I was completely engrossed in Bully Market on audio! Higgins covers sexual harassment, office politics manipulation, intolerance of family and motherhood, and work / life balance…and this book is sad and maddening. It reminded me of a mash-up of Smacked by Eilene Zimmerman, From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein, and The Boys Club by Erica Katz. Warning: there is a massive trigger in this book, so please do your research or DM me if you want specifics.

FuriaFuria by Yamile Saied Mendez
Fiction – Young Adult (Release Date: September 15, 2020)
368 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: A young Argentinian girl named Camila (aka “Furia” on the soccer field) fosters her love for soccer by secretly playing on a women’s team in her hometown of Rosario. Her older brother is a soccer phenom, but her parents don’t believe a girl should be playing the sport. When Furia’s team decides to try to qualify for the South American tournament, Furia has to decide what she’s willing to risk to play.

My Thoughts: A badass female athlete YA novel that didn’t annoy me with its YA-ness! Furia is a girl power book about following your dreams. I love the message it sends to young girls and it’s a book I absolutely want my daughter to read when she’s old enough. She uses local language peppered throughout, which really anchored me in the Argentinian setting. It reminded me a bit of Firekeeper’s Daughter without the mystery portion. 

It Was An Ugly Couch AnywayIt Was An Ugly Couch Anyway by Elizabeth Passarella
Nonfiction – Essays (Release Date: May 2, 2023)
256 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Passarella is originally from Memphis, TN, but has settled with her family in Manhattan. She’s a columnist at Southern Living Magazine and is the author of her essay collection, Good Apple, which I loved 2 years ago.

My Thoughts: Passarella is sort of like Mary Laura Philpott (author of I Miss You When I Blink and Bomb Shelter), but with the added layer of a move to New York. I very much identify with the Southern / New York City combination of identities. She covers a family health scare, her start working in magazines and her dream to be a food writer, staying in NYC during the pandemic with 3 children, and a quintessentially New York and multi-chapter story about trying to buy a different apartment in her building. I’ve never been more invested in the outcome of a real estate deal! Passarella is relatable, funny, and someone I’d love to have a glass of wine with! Highly recommend on audio, which includes a bonus interview with a character from the book!

Now is Not the Time to PanicNow is Not the Time to Panicby Kevin Wilson
Fiction – Literary (Release Date: November 8, 2022)
256 Pages
Affiliate Link: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: This story centers around Two young teenagers, an artist and a writer, who meet in Coalfield, TN. They become romantically and artistically entangled and anonymously create a mysterious poster that takes on a life of its own. Twenty years later, a journalist starts nosing around, which threatens to bring up the past. Wilson noted this book is based on a college friendship of his and is “almost a memoir.”

My Thoughts: Kevin Wilson is fast becoming a favorite author for me. I loved his last book, Nothing to See Here, and this one was 5 stars for me! It’s full of 1990’s nostalgia, teenage boredom and the intensity of teenage relationships, quirkiness, chuckle funny humor, and most importantly, it’s grounded in heart. It’s weird, but not too weird. Just weird enough. The voice shines here and I flew through it in two days.

SpareSpareby Prince Harry
Memoir (Released January 10, 2023)
410 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: Unnecessary…

My Thoughts: Prince Harry’s memoir is juicy, scandalous, raw, high quality…and, I was riveted! If you’re just in it for the juiciest tidbits, you can get those from media headlines. Read this for a revealing picture of a traumatized young man and views into what makes him tick. His ghostwriter, J.R. Moehringer, is the gold standard (he also ghostwrote Open by Andre Agassi and Shoe Dog by Phil Knight) and Harry’s audio narration is not to be missed!

Forever WitnessThe Forever Witness: How Genetic Genealogy Solved a Cold Case Double Murder by Edward Humes
Nonfiction – True Crime / Memoir (Released March 15, 2022)
288 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: The 1980’s murders of Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook in the Seattle area were solved right after the GSK case in the same way. Detective Jim Sharf teamed up with genetic genealogist CeCe Moore to solve the 30 year old cold case and Humes shares the broader story of how genetic genealogy (using a crime scene’s DNA sample to trace a family tree backwards using online commercial DNA databases) came to be used to solve crimes.

My Thoughts: Genetic genealogy is the new hot topic in solving crimes (especially cold cases). If you were interested in how it was used to solve the Golden State Killer case, this book is for you! This feels different than your average true crime book…there’s more to it. The first part reads like true crime, the second part focuses on the science behind genetic genealogy, and the third part reads like a courtroom drama. Also fascinating were the ethical issues with using genetic genealogy to solve crimes.

Life CouncilThe Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs by Laura Tremaine
Nonfiction – Friendship (Released April 4, 2023)
208 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: I love Laura Tremaine’s podcast 10 Things to Tell You and her debut book Share Your Stuff, I’ll Go First. She’s back with her sophomore book, which explores adult female friendships alongside memoir-style stories from her own life. She shares 10 specific types of friends and the role they play in a woman’s life. She also covers her friendship philosophy and friendship challenges and break-ups.

My Thoughts: I love the entire concept of a “Life Council” (i.e. a Board of Directors for your life) and the pressure this concept releases of every friend having to serve every role in a woman’s life. Of course, the minute Laura starts getting into the 10 Life Council roles…I started slotting my own friends into spots and noticing areas that were glaringly vacant. Her discussion of friendship breakups in particular was refreshing as I feel like friendship breakups don’t get talked about enough and are often just as emotionally difficult and/or complicated as a romantic relationship breakup. I highly recommend this one on audio and it would be a perfect girls beach trip discussion book.

TrailedTrailed: One Woman’s Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murdersby Kathryn Miles
Nonfiction – True Crime (Release Date: May 3, 2022)
320 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm (Audio)

Plot Summary: This true crime / memoir follows Miles’ investigation into the murders of a female gay couple in the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia (which is apparently well known in the world of true crime enthusiasts) and explores the general hiking environment for women and LGBTQ women in particular.

My Thoughts: I love it when a true crime story speaks to broader issues beyond the crimes themselves and that’s what most appealed to me about Trailed. The background color made this book for me…about representation in the outdoor / hiking world, the difficulty of processing crime scenes in the wilderness, how cold cases work, and the connection to a broader trend of violence against women in the outdoors. Great pick for fans of Last Call by Elon Green, Unmasked by Paul Holes, or Breathless by Amy McCulloch.

True StoryTrue Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa by Michael Finkel
Nonfiction – True Crime / Memoir (Release Date: January 1, 2005)
312 Pages
Buy from: Amazon | Bookshop.org 

Plot Summary: Michael Finkel was a journalist at the New York Times until he was fired for fabricating an article in 2002. Right after he was fired, he gets a call from a reporter in Oregon saying that Christian Longo, a man accused of killing his wife and 3 children has fled to Mexico and is impersonating Finkel.

My Thoughts: I love memoirs that tell batshit crazy stories and this is absolutely a batshit crazy story. There are similarities to In Cold Blood in that the author gets really close to the murderer. Finkel more or less becomes friends with Longo and feels himself start to like him, but then he’s wrestling with trust and understanding what he most likely did. Finkel also struggles with the fact that he has more benign versions of some of the same traits that Longo has. He’s very forthright about what he’s done and it feels like he’s going through this growth process of taking accountability for his actions throughout this process.

Happy Summer Reading!

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2023 Summer Reading Guide

 

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5 Comments

  1. Laura wrote:

    This is fantastic! The email signup didn’t work for me – tried 3 times. Is there another way to access the printable? Thank you!

    Posted 5.17.23 Reply
  2. Patricia Anne Bryan wrote:

    My librarians are pulling their hair out at my growing stack of reserves.Thank you.

    Posted 5.22.23 Reply
  3. Kim Crotty wrote:

    This is a fabulous list! I’ve added lots to my TBR list! Thank you for sharing! I also tried about 3 times to get the printable and did not receive it. Please let us know if there is another way to receive it!

    Posted 5.23.23 Reply
  4. Sveta wrote:

    If you’re looking for a book recommendation, I’d suggest checking out my book ‘Sound Is Not Enough: The Art of Captioning for Universal Access’. This book is a must-read for business executives, media producers, event organizers, employers, and educators who want to create inclusive experiences for the 466 million deaf people worldwide. As a deaf female B2B accessibility consultant, I provide a unique perspective on the importance of optimal captioning and communication access. ‘Sound Is Not Enough’ offers valuable insights and practical strategies for making content accessible to everyone. You can learn more about it here: https://audio-accessibility.com/book/

    Posted 6.5.23 Reply
  5. Thank You, R.buc k ler 11 ( g ma i l… com ) wrote:

    Fix Relationship/marital problem.. My Ex lover is back.

    Posted 2.23.24 Reply

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