44 Hottest Summer Reads of 2023

by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Imagine "The Hunger Games" refashioned into a rowdy, profane, and indignant blues shout at full blast. Full review >

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by Justin Cronin

Twisty, thrilling, and beautifully written. Full review >

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by Abraham Verghese

By God, he's done it again. Full review >

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by Emma Rosenblum

A heck of a beach read. Full review >

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by Adriana Herrera

Empowering and exhilarating. Full review >

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by Luis Alberto Urrea

Top-shelf historical fiction delivered with wit and compassion. Full review >

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by Elin Hilderbrand

The people in her books may screw up, but Hilderbrand always gets it right. Kind of amazing. Full review >

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by K. Patrick

An erotic yet high-minded literary achievement. Full review >

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by Colson Whitehead

It’s not just crime fiction at its craftiest, but shrewdly rendered social history. Full review >

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by James McBride

If it’s possible for America to have a poet laureate, why can’t James McBride be its storyteller-in-chief? Full review >

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by Jeff Biggers

Neither holiday postcard nor dry ancient history, this is a fascinating journey around Sardinia. Full review >

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by Jesse Cole with Don Yaeger

Anyone who can think outside the diamond will enjoy Cole’s entertaining yarn. Full review >

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by Melissa L. Sevigny

A beautiful tribute to two pioneering women of science. Full review >

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by Alba Donati ; translated by Elena Pala

Readers beware: will cause the irresistible desire to open a small bookstore. Full review >

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by Nick de Semlyen

A joyful romp featuring larger-than-life characters, iconic movies, and plenty of behind-the-scenes info. Full review >

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by Wes Davis

A rare account of brilliant minds as they set off in search of America. Full review >

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by Jennifer Ackerman

Fascinating food for thought for owl seekers and sure to please any lover of immersive treks into the lives of birds. Full review >

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by Ken Jennings

An entertaining, amusing collection of a wide variety of visions of the afterlife. Full review >

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by Keggie Carew

Beautiful nature writing, the usual horrors, and modest optimism. Full review >

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by Susan Casey

Space exploration gets the headlines, but Casey makes a convincing case that the deep ocean is more interesting. Full review >

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by Jessica Parra

Beautifully written and brimming with love and acceptance. Full review >

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by Kendall Kulper

An atmospheric page-turner with real-world resonance. Full review >

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by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Light and sweet. Full review >

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edited by Hanna Alkaf & Margaret Owen

Eighteen heroes, individual yet not alone, beautifully find self-respect and force their school to change. Full review >

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by Louise Finch

A devastating, essential journey. Full review >

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by K.X. Song

A riveting and meaningful coming-of-age story. Full review >

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by Meriam Metoui

Introspective, character-driven, and—most importantly—haunting. Full review >

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by Karen M. McManus

A satisfying and hopeful closer in a masterful trilogy. Full review >

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by Francisco X. Stork

An illuminatingly powerful story about mental illness, young love, faith, and hope. Full review >

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by Dashka Slater

Thorough, thought-provoking, and all too relevant. Full review >

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by Malia Maunakea

An exhilarating, adventure-filled celebration of Hawaiian culture. Full review >

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by Julie Murphy

A fun and spooky celebration of fat kids and friendship. Full review >

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by J.E. Thomas

Creative and hilarious. Full review >

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by Caroline Hickey ; illustrated by Kelly Murphy

It’s hard to write with such simple authenticity: The world needs more stories like this. Full review >

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by Stacy DeKeyser

Wonderfully imaginative with just a touch of earnestness. Full review >

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by Lenny Henry ; illustrated by Keenon Ferrell & Mark Buckingham

A thrilling tale brimming with spirit. Full review >

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by Alan Barillaro ; illustrated by Alan Barillaro

A lyrical and sensitively rendered coming-of-age tale. Full review >

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by Mitali Perkins

A riveting, courage-filled story. Full review >

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by Jacqueline Davies ; illustrated by Julia Castaño

Well cast, well told, but mostly just terrific. Full review >

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by Lilliam Rivera

A body-positive story of growing up that’s sure to make a splash. Full review >

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by Jack Wong ; illustrated by Jack Wong

A gorgeously rendered love letter to swimming and the magical experiences that it can unlock. Full review >

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by Rajani LaRocca ; illustrated by Abhi Alwar

A gorgeous ode to change, growth, togetherness, and family. Full review >

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by Lucy Ruth Cummins ; illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Pure summer fun. Full review >

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by Ame Dyckman ; illustrated by Ashley Spires

A humorous and empowering introduction to swimming basics for those ready to test the waters. Full review >

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