This Week: July 12th

Beat the summer heat with great books, from realistic LGBTQ+ fiction that celebrates authentic, deeply human stories to T.J. Klune's Under the Whispering Door, a moving novel about found family, love, and connection. I'm also highlighting The Sins of Summer Daughters, an atmospheric Southern thriller set in Georgia, plus revisiting why we return to our favorite authors again and again. Don't miss our new Favorite Author Digital Reading Tracker, now available in the Etsy shop to help you organize your TBR and track every book by the authors you love most.

God’s Country

In God’s Country, William Kent Krueger delivers a gripping, atmospheric mystery in the 21st Cork O’Connor novel. Set in the Boundary Waters, this suspenseful installment forces Cork to confront a terrifying vision of his own death while facing questions of family, courage, mortality, and moral choice. Perfect for fans of crime fiction, mystery, suspense, and richly drawn characters, God’s Country is a powerful 5-star read for longtime Cork O’Connor fans and new readers alike.

This Week: July 5th

This week’s newsletter celebrates exciting new releases, including Kelsey Cox’s Pretty Dead Things and Isabella Valeri’s The Prodigal Daughter, while exploring our Summer Reading Challenge focus on realistic fiction and favorite authors. Discover book recommendations, reading inspiration, a curated summer playlist, and fun tools from our newly reopened Etsy shop—including printable trackers, reading journals, and Summer Reading Bingo—to make your reading life even more enjoyable this season.

Brighter Than Before

In Brighter Than Before, Courtney Walsh delivers a warm, funny summer rom-com filled with witty banter, a memorable meet-cute, and heartfelt second chances. Claire’s fresh start in Chicago brings humor, awkward moments, emotional healing, and a lovable community of characters readers will want to root for. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance, book club reads, and feel-good fiction, this 5-star romance is a charming reminder that new beginnings can lead to something brighter than before.

July Theme: Realistic Fiction

Explore the power of realistic fiction in our summer reading challenge, where heartfelt stories, relatable characters, and emotional journeys take center stage. From coming-of-age novels and LGBTQ+ representation to Southern Gothic themes and beach-ready reads, these books prove that everyday life can be just as compelling as any fantasy. Paired with our immersive, 2.5-hour curated playlist, this month’s selections invite you to slow down, connect deeply, and experience stories that feel beautifully real

This Week: June 28th

This week’s newsletter celebrates the start of a new month with a focus on realistic fiction — the perfect genre for summer reading. From heartfelt, relationship-driven stories like Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan to exciting new releases like The Sisters and the Sword, we’re highlighting immersive books filled with emotional depth, coastal settings, and unforgettable characters. If you love beach reads that balance escapism with real-life connections, this week’s picks are full of warmth, nostalgia, and compelling storytelling.

Pretty Dead Things

Kelsey Cox’s Pretty Dead Things is a suspenseful, atmospheric thriller set in small-town Texas, where beauty pageant traditions, long-buried secrets, and generational trauma collide. Following multiple generations of women navigating friendship, betrayal, family wounds, and the social pressures of pageant life, this emotionally grounded mystery builds from a slow start into a gripping, unforgettable read. Cox handles difficult topics like bullying, substance abuse, mental illness, physical violence, and allusions to sexual assault with compassion and care. With a vivid winter-storm setting, realistic characters, and a mystery that keeps readers guessing until the final pages, Pretty Dead Things is a strong follow-up to Party of Liars and a must-read for fans of atmospheric mysteries and small-town suspense.

June Top Books

June was such a strong reading month—9 books, all 4 stars or higher, with action fiction clearly leading the way. My two 5-star standouts were Hidden in Plain View, a fascinating look at quilt symbolism and history, and Backtrack by Marc Cameron, a gripping thriller with excellent character development. The list also includes 4 pre-release titles, full reviews, preorder links, and one more review still to come. If you love thrillers, upcoming releases, and standout monthly recaps, this one is worth a look. Which title would you pick up first? #bookish #RWL2026 #ThrillerReads

This Week: June 21st

Copilot said: Dive into a vibrant mix of reading inspiration and seasonal storytelling, from World Cup–inspired cultural moments to swashbuckling adventures and fresh summer releases. This week’s newsletter explores the bold, fast-paced charm of swashbuckler fiction, highlights a classic Zorro tale full of romance and rebellion, and spotlights a new release about redefining happiness beyond the thrill of a deal. We also reflect on Juneteenth through powerful modern literature that deepens understanding of history, memory, and resilience. Whether you’re looking for transportive adventures, meaningful reflections, or fun, engaging reads, these curated picks celebrate stories that entertain, inspire, and connect us.