From historical fiction and page-turning thrillers to inspirational memoirs and gorgeous coffee table tomes, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite books to read this season, whether you’re on the beach or enjoying time in the A.C.
Nantucket: Classic American Style 30 Miles Out to Sea
by Liza Gershman and Carrie Nieman Culpepper
This book features gorgeous photographic portraits and images of the island so captivating, you can almost hear the waves crashing, feel the warm sun on your face and smell the salty air of Nantucket, an island tucked away off Cape Cod.
Big Summer
by Jennifer Weiner
Best-selling author Jennifer Weiner is back with her latest novel, Big Summer. On Cape Cod, in the midst of a summer wedding, Weiner takes readers on a wild ride when two life-long friends, whose relationship has many dramatic ups and downs, discover who they really are.
The Book of Longings
by Susan Monk Kidd
In Susan Monk Kidd’s fourth novel she places her main character in a brilliantly imagined relationship with Jesus in Gali- lee. Weaving together new and familiar characters, this novel tells the story of one woman’s coming of age, through triumph and failure, to realize her true strength.
The Heir Affair
by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan
The much anticipated sequel to The Royal We finds Rebecca “Bex” Porter adjusting to the challenges of royal life. She and Prince Nicholas place themselves in self-imposed exile (sound familiar?), but a crisis brings them back to London.
The Vanishing Half
by Brit Bennett
The second book by young author Brit Bennet (who’s first book The Mothers drew comparisons to the works of James Bald- win and Toni Morrison) tells the tale of two twin sisters who choose different paths—and racial identities. Bennett eloquently highlights how the past can play a vital role in our future.
Her Last Flight
by Beatriz Williams
Set on the island of Kauai in 1947, war correspondent Janey Everett is determined to discover the true fate of the mysterious disappearance of aviation pioneer Sam Mallory 10 years earlier. While researching Mallory’s past, Everett inadvertently finds herself examining her own past as their two stories collide.
The Splendid and the Vile
by Erik Larson
What was it like to lead Britain during WWII? Erik Larson’s latest book explores just that. Larson not only recounts 57 consecutive nights of bombing, but how Winston Churchill and his inner circle personally coped with the seemingly insurmountable task before them.
Alicia Rountree Fresh Island Style: Casual Entertaining & Inspirations From a Tropical Place
by Alicia Rountree, written with Caitlin Leffel, Photographs by Dewey Nicks
Mauritian born Alicia Rountree has added author to her many jobs, which include international model, nutrition expert and swimwear designer, to bring island life directly to you. From recipes to entertaining tips, this picture-perfect book will inspire all year long.
Surfside Style: Relaxed Living by the Coast
by Fifi O’Neill
In this book, Fifi O’Neill showcases 12 homes across the country that epitomize the essence of coastal living. From Bohemian to maritime colors, learn how to combine the surfer’s style with creative ideas and inspiring photographs.
If It Bleeds
by Stephen King
What’s better than one new Stephen King book? Four novellas. That’s what’s in the pages of King’s newest collection, If It Bleeds. Readers will be delighted to find out where King, the master of things that go “boo” in the night, will take them.
The Lion’s Den
by Katherine St. John
Spending summer in the Mediterranean on the luxurious yacht of her friend Summer’s boyfriend sounds like a dream. But things take a deadly turn when Belle realizes that nothing is what it seems— including her friend Summer.
Thick as Thieves
by Sandra Brown
Sandra Brown is back with another thriller, this time about a 20-year-old heist. One man dies, another is injured, one is sent to jail and the fourth disappears. Arden Maxwell, the daughter of the man who disappears, returns to the town where it all happened and starts asking questions no one wants to answer.
Camino Winds
by John Grisham
In the aftermath of a hurricane in Florida, the body of a local author is discovered. It soon becomes clear for his mystery and crime novel colleagues that he was not just another hurricane victim—but of a much more sinister plot.
Untamed
by Glennon Doyle
The latest memoir from beloved activist and author Glennon Doyle, Untamed tells a compelling story of how Doyle would quiet her own voice to please others—and how she learned to fight against it.
Becoming
by Michelle Obama
Arguably one of the most influential women of a generation—not only because of her time in the White House as First Lady, but also because of her lifelong endeavor to empower women—Obama takes readers behind the scenes of her life before, during and after her time in D.C.
Lady in Waiting: My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown
by Anne Glennconer
Fans of Netflix’s The Crown were introduced to this vital figure in the Queen’s life in season 3 on the island of Mustique. Here, Glenconner shares—with great humor and honesty—how she navigated the highs and lows of being a woman born into nobility but unable to inherit because of her gender. Glenconner takes you on the adventurous ride she had as a Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret and in her own life.
I Really Needed This Today: Words to Live By
by Hoda Kotb
The Today Show co-host’s 2019 bestseller is a collection of inspiring quotes from bold faced names she has found empowering in her own life. Now, in one beautifully designed book, Kotb puts these quotes together and offers some of her own insight.
Death and Other Happy Endings
by Melanie Cantor
After learning that she only has three months to live, Jennifer Cole decides to be brutally honest with the three people who hurt her the most in her life. As these people respond to her letters, Jennifer finds her voice and learns both the benefits and the consequences of telling the truth.
Seven Years of Darkness
by You-Jeong Jeong
A son who is living in the shadow of his father’s conviction for the murder of a young girl must hide his identity to escape his shame. But when a package arrives, this thrilling story takes even more twists as Sowon finds himself in more danger than he could have imagined.
Daughter of the Reich
by Louise Fein
In her debut novel, Fein takes us through the heart-wrenching love story of Hetty Heinrich and her Jewish friend Walter. Inspired by the author’s own family his- tory, Fein explores the challenges and truths of life in Nazi Germany through the eyes of two people whose forbidden love forces them to make impossible choices.
Seven Lies
by Elizabeth Kay
Childhood friends Jane and Marnie are torn apart through a string of lies beginning with what Jane thinks of Marnie’s soon-to-be husband. Jane’s innocent falsehood is only the beginning of a wild ride that ensues, with twists and turns no one would ever expect.
Self Care
by Leigh Stein
In search of that impossible-to-achieve social media influencer perfection, two friends create a wellness app. They soon learn the constant ups and downs some women face in search of wholeness, and find that things are never as straightforward as they may seem.
The Moment of Tenderness
by Madeleine L’Engle
This collection of short stories discovered by the late author’s granddaughter, Charlotte Jones, echoes the brilliant storytelling Madeleine L’Engle brought us with A Wrinkle in Time, touching on friendship, faith and hope.
Summer to Summer: Houses by the Sea
by Jennifer Ash Rudick. Photographs by Tria Giovan
Summer to Summer brings together some design greats, while celebrating 25 seasonal homes from Maine to Fishers Island.
Head Over Heels
by Hannah Orenstein
For those missing the Olympics, this romantic comedy from former gymnast (and best-selling author) Hannah Orenstein dives into the complicated world of competitive sports. Follow along as main character Avery Abrams navigates her career, scandals and relationships.
Open Secrets
by Sheila Kohler
Revealing a betrayal in their marriage, Swiss banker Michel hopes to right the wrongs he believes his wife, Alice, has done. Set on the French Riviera, Michel’s actions instead set their entire family down a much darker path.
Ask Me Anything
by P.Z. Reizin
At a time when we can ask our appliances to do so many daily tasks, is it a big leap to wish they could take on some of our bigger problems? Meet Daisy Parsloe: single, in her mid-30s with an ailing mother, and a smart fridge that not only tells her when she’s out of eggs, but is about to turn its focus on her love life in this wildly imaginative romantic comedy.
All the Ways We Said Goodbye
by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig & Karen White
Over a span of 50 years, meet three incredible women whose lives were all shaped in some way by the legendary Ritz Paris hotel: A widow searching for answers about a mystery woman, an American who finds herself part of the Resistance during WWII, and a young French woman who falls in love with a German solider tell their stories set at the infamous parisienne hotel.
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family
by Robert Kolker
This heartbreaking story follows one 1950s family, who is grappling with the unfathomable diagnosis that six out of 10 siblings have schizophrenia (The family was one of the first to be studied by the NIH in order to gain a better understanding of the disease). Journalist Robert Kolker highlights the incredible challenges this mental illness can bring.
A Good Apology: Four Steps to Make Things Right
by Molly Howes, PhD
I’m sorry. They are two very important words that can carry incredible weight and responsibility. We’ve all knowingly (or, more often than not, unknowingly) hurt someone we care about and tried to find just the right words to say to express our feelings. A Good Apology is a valuable guide on how to apologize, with easy-to-implement steps.
Cannonball!: Fearlessly Facing Midlife and Beyond
by Amy Schmidt
Schmidt, a Connecticut native, is back with her latest book where she shares stories—both her own and from others—that will inspire women in their mid-years to boldy enter the second half of their life. Through these incredibly relatable and honest accounts of women who have walked this path before, Schmidt encourages the next generation to think big, lean into fear and move beyond expectations to experience their best life.
