Hello, June 2021! While some things feel as unsettling as they have for the past 4 years, others are getting easier. Those of us who are vaccinated are looking forward to a more open summer. But the country seems no less divided. Without meaning to, the books I want to read this June feel the same way—light versus dark, heavy versus fun nonfiction, sequels I’ve been waiting for and new authors I can’t wait to meet.
(To learn more about each book click on title link for the Goodreads synopsis)
It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of the entire Real Housewives franchise, even though my husband says the shows make his eye bleed if he walks in the room. I’m ready for this behind-the-scenes look at the action that goes all the way to the original idea for the series. It’s everything you ever (never) wanted to know about these spoiled divas. The Housewives by Brian Moylan is already out so don’t wait.
One of my go-to authors in the realm of brain candy, mesmerizing fiction is Taylor Jenkins Reid so I’m ready for Malibu Rising. It’s about 4 siblings trying to find their way as new adults in Malibu, amidst personal and professional drama. The novel takes place in the 24 hour period of the oldest sibling’s summer blowout bash at her house in Malibu. (June 1)
From frothy reading I’m going into heavy with Ben Rhodes’ book, After the Fall: Being American in the World We’ve Made. I KNOW…why read something like this when things are still so bad? Because I don’t think they’re going to get better and I’d like to understand more. (June 1)
Laurie Frankel’s last novel, This is How it Always Is, was my favorite novel the year I read it. Her newest, One Two Three is about teenage triplets living in a small town decimated as the result of a chemical plant polluting the water supply for years. I’m anticipating lots of emotion and connection. (June 8)
Just when I thought I was finished with 2021 prep school novels, they’re back! I have no idea if The Brittanys is going to be literary or light, but it’s about a group of 5 friends, all of whom are named Brittany—as it is one of the most ubiquitous names of a generation. I’m always pulled in by girls’ groups and coming-of-age, so hoping this will be great reading. (June 15)
The Maidens is another repeat author for me. I enjoyed Michaelides’ novel The Silent Patient for its psychological suspense and this looks to have the same feel. A young woman is certain an established famous at Cambridge is responsible for another young woman’s death, but how can she prove it? (June 19)
Probably my most anticipated book for the summer, Alka Joshi’s The Secret Keeper of Jaipur is the sequel to her debut, The Henna Artist. I loved it and if you enjoy fiction about India then I highly recommend you read it before The Secret Keeper comes out. It follows Malik, the former assistant of the henna artist, as he tries to find his own path to success in Jaipur. (June 22)
Laura Lippman’s Sunburn was one of those slow boil thrillers that kept me guessing until the end. Dream Girl is about an injured author isolated and being cared for by two women he doesn’t know. He’s also getting phone calls from a woman claiming to be the main character in his last big novel. Definitely a Misery vibe, but I hope Lippman spins that drama in a new direction. (June 22)
What’s on your reading list for this June? Anything I missed?
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*I received a free copy of this book from Custom House in exchange for an honest review.*
hey. Loved the Henna Artist … so I’m hoping for positive things from the Secret Keeper of Jaipur … Malik was a good character in Book 1. You’ll probably get to it before me. I also have Malibu Rising on my summer list. I haven’t looked over June releases yet …. but I have The Other Black Girl on my summer list and it is a June 1 release. Since it’s set at a publishing house and is from a writer who “spent nearly three years in editorial at Knopf/Doubleday” … makes it a bit intriguing premise to me. I’m going to check it out.
Also I just started your podcast with Sarah … and as usual it’s a fun listen … thx
I wanted to love Other Black Girl, but I really didn’t like it. The plot veers into absurd. I was really disappointed.
Ohhhh too bad! why is there so much hype?? like it’s the second coming …
I don’t know, except the hype I’ve seen is book mail, not reviews. Susie is about to DNF it.
I’ve been meaning to try Lippman for a while now. I’ve got lots to choose from!
She does a good job with slow tension—nice for summer days.
Wow! Quite a few here that weren’t even on my radar. June has so many books to offer.
I could say the same to your summer guide. It’s good (and bad!) that we don’t have much overlap! Means my TBR is out of control.
I am reading Malibu Rising at the moment and really enjoying it. Hard to put it down.
One Two Three was a DNF for me. I suspect that I just wasn’t in the mood to read this sort of book. Well written but the characters didn’t resonate with me.
It was a lot to take in. I didn’t love it the way I did This is How It Always Is, but I still thought it was well done.