Your Week-by-Week Guide to the Best Books of Summer 2016

by Jennifer Ridgway

Now that summer has arrived, it’s the perfect time to take stock of all the great new books worthy of a spot in your beach/diaper/tote bag. Whether you want to set a personal reading challenge — like giving debut authors a try, diving into books by award-winning writers, or reading one book per week — or just need a new bedtime read, there’s a perfect new book for you waiting to be found.

In the spirit of the season, I’ve culled the lists of upcoming grown-up releases to find the most exciting gems hitting the shelves this summer. Read on for a week-by-week guide to the books you can look forward to from June through August. (Iced coffee and lemonade not included.)

  • July 19

  • Multiple Choice

    by Alejandro Zambra

    Available from:

    Not to worry, I am not expecting you to read anything that puts you back in the seat of studying for the SATs. Formatted as a multiple choice test, Zambra’s unique work of fiction allows the reader to be a direct participant in this story that touches on universal themes like relationships, family, and death.

    Also available from:
  • August 30

  • The Nix

    by Nathan Hill

    Available from:

    At its heart, this is a story about a son, Samuel, trying to get to know his mother, who he hasn’t seen in years. When Samuel decides to write a biography of her, readers are swept from 1960s Chicago through New York City and Norway. Hill’s keen eye for people and satirical pen will keep you flipping the pages.

    Also available from:

What books are you looking forward to reading this summer? Let us know in the comments section below!