Book List

The 50 Hottest Summer Reads of 2020

  • FICTION

    THE PULL OF THE STARS

    JULY 21, 2020

FICTION

THE PULL OF THE STARS

by Emma Donoghue

Darkly compelling, illuminated by the light of compassion and tenderness: Donoghue’s best novel since Room (2010). Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    OLD LOVEGOOD GIRLS

    MAY 5, 2020

FICTION

OLD LOVEGOOD GIRLS

by Gail Godwin

Intelligent, reflective, satisfying fiction from an old master. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    TAKE A HINT, DANI BROWN

    JUNE 23, 2020

ROMANCE

TAKE A HINT, DANI BROWN

by Talia Hibbert

Funny, deep, and romantic as hell. Will leave you smiling for days. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    TROUBLE THE SAINTS

    JULY 21, 2020

  • FICTION

    IF IT BLEEDS

    APRIL 20, 2020

FICTION

IF IT BLEEDS

by Stephen King

Vintage King: a pleasure for his many fans and not a bad place to start if you’re new to him. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    SEX AND VANITY

    JUNE 30, 2020

FICTION

SEX AND VANITY

by Kevin Kwan

This is the only way you’re getting to Capri this year. Why resist? Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    CROSSINGS

    JULY 28, 2020

FICTION

CROSSINGS

by Alex Landragin

This novel intrigues and delights with an assured orchestration of historical research and imaginative flights. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    UTOPIA AVENUE

    JULY 14, 2020

FICTION

UTOPIA AVENUE

by David Mitchell

Those whose musical tastes end in the early 1970s—and literary tastes are up to the minute—will especially enjoy Mitchell’s... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE FIVE BOOKS OF (ROBERT) MOSES

    JULY 28, 2020

FICTION

THE FIVE BOOKS OF (ROBERT) MOSES

by Arthur Nersesian

A postmodern masterwork that outdoes Pynchon in eccentricity—and electricity, with all its dazzling prose. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    BIG SUMMER

    MAY 5, 2020

FICTION

BIG SUMMER

by Jennifer Weiner

If you love Jennifer Weiner, you’ll love this one. And if you’re a newbie, start here. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    THE BIRD WAY

    MAY 5, 2020

NONFICTION

THE BIRD WAY

by Jennifer Ackerman illustrated by John Burgoyne

A brightly original book sure to please any nature lover. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    ON LIGHTHOUSES

    MAY 12, 2020

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

ON LIGHTHOUSES

by Jazmina Barrera ; translated by Christina MacSweeney

These subtle, reflective observations offer delightful insights into the lighthouse mystique. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    WHY WE DRIVE

    JUNE 9, 2020

NONFICTION

WHY WE DRIVE

by Matthew B. Crawford

Even if Crawford is fighting a losing battle, he fights it valiantly, even heroically. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    FATHOMS

    JULY 28, 2020

NONFICTION

FATHOMS

by Rebecca Giggs

A thoughtful, ambitiously crafted appeal for the preservation of marine mammals. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    THE VAPORS

    JULY 7, 2020

HISTORY

THE VAPORS

by David Hill

A captivating, shady story about massive, brazen corruption hiding in plain sight. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    SPLASH!

    JUNE 2, 2020

NONFICTION

SPLASH!

by Howard Means

Devoted swimmers will want to splash about in this entertaining narrative. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    DOLLS! DOLLS! DOLLS!

    JUNE 2, 2020

NONFICTION

DOLLS! DOLLS! DOLLS!

by Stephen Rebello

Memorable reading for die-hard devotees and those seeking to relive all the breathless histrionics. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    ENTANGLED LIFE

    MAY 12, 2020

NONFICTION

ENTANGLED LIFE

by Merlin Sheldrake

From bread to booze to the very fiber of life, the world turns on fungi, and Sheldrake provides a top-notch portrait. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    THE WELL-GARDENED MIND

    JULY 7, 2020

  • NONFICTION

    THE LANGUAGE OF BUTTERFLIES

    JUNE 2, 2020

NONFICTION

THE LANGUAGE OF BUTTERFLIES

by Wendy Williams

Expect this book to awaken the dormant butterfly enthusiast within. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • TEEN

    BANNED BOOK CLUB

    MAY 19, 2020

GRAPHIC NOVELS & COMICS

BANNED BOOK CLUB

by Hyun Sook Kim & Ryan Estrada ; illustrated by Hyung-Ju Ko

A tribute to young people’s resistance in the face of oppression. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • TEEN

    A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN

    JUNE 2, 2020

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT

A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN

by Roseanne A. Brown

Revitalizing and exciting, Brown’s debut breathes life into ancient but still relevant folk stories. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • TEEN

    YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN

    JUNE 2, 2020

  • TEEN

    YOU BROUGHT ME THE OCEAN

    JUNE 9, 2020

  • TEEN

    I'LL BE THE ONE

    JUNE 16, 2020

  • TEEN

    THE GLARE

    JULY 14, 2020

  • CHILDREN'S

    RAGWEED & POPPY

    JUNE 9, 2020

CHILDREN'S

RAGWEED & POPPY

by Avi ; illustrated by Brian Floca

A characteristically droll lagniappe for a durable and popular series. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE

    JUNE 30, 2020

GRAPHIC NOVELS & COMICS

THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE

by Kate Hannigan ; illustrated by Alex Graudins

A fictive plotline adds a strong “you are there” feel to this informative account. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    BROTHER'S KEEPER

    JULY 21, 2020

CHILDREN'S

BROTHER'S KEEPER

by Julie Lee

A journey of wartime survival parallels the strength Sora needs to fight for her own dreams. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    THE MAYFLOWER

    JULY 7, 2020

CHILDREN'S

THE MAYFLOWER

by Kate Messner ; illustrated by Dylan Meconis

Critical, respectful, engaging: exemplary history for children. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    THUNDER RUN

    JUNE 2, 2020

  • CHILDREN'S

    THE MULBERRY TREE

    JULY 14, 2020

CHILDREN'S

THE MULBERRY TREE

by Allison Rushby

Crafted from shivery supernatural elements, this fable celebrates the power of empathy and forgiveness. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    THE MAGIC ERASER

    JULY 7, 2020

CHILDREN'S

THE MAGIC ERASER

by Aaron Starmer ; illustrated by Courtney La Forest

A laugh-out-loud tour de force; readers will be eager for the sequel. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    CATCH THAT CHICKEN!

    JULY 7, 2020

CHILDREN'S

CATCH THAT CHICKEN!

by Atinuke ; illustrated by Angela Brooksbank

A fun-filled, culturally rich tale that will delight readers young and older. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    UNCLE BOBBY'S WEDDING

    MAY 5, 2020

CHILDREN'S

UNCLE BOBBY'S WEDDING

by Sarah S. Brannen ; illustrated by Lucia Soto

A joyous, heartwarming, sweet—and essential—update. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    GRANDPARENTS

    MAY 5, 2020

CHILDREN'S

GRANDPARENTS

by Chema Heras ; illustrated by Rosa Osuna ; translated by Elisa Amado

Fun and feisty—these memorable characters are a delight to know and revisit. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    THE LITTLE BLUE COTTAGE

    MAY 12, 2020

CHILDREN'S

THE LITTLE BLUE COTTAGE

by Kelly Jordan ; illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle

A story of a girl, a cottage, and a family tradition that begs to be visited again and again. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    LET'S SWAP FOR A DAY

    MAY 22, 2020

CHILDREN'S

LET'S SWAP FOR A DAY

by Shu-Ti Liao ; illustrated by Shu-Ti Liao

This humorous tale may become a dog lover’s favorite. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    CHILD'S PLAY

    MAY 1, 2020

CHILDREN'S

CHILD'S PLAY

by Ramiro José Peralta ; illustrated by Blanca Millán ; translated by Jon Brokenbrow

A well-crafted, engaging book about resilient childhoods in the face of displacement and conflict. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    WHAT SOUND IS MORNING?

    MAY 12, 2020

CHILDREN'S

WHAT SOUND IS MORNING?

by Grant Snider ; illustrated by Grant Snider

Children will raise a loud cheer for this morning story. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    NATSUMI'S SONG OF SUMMER

    MAY 12, 2020

CHILDREN'S

NATSUMI'S SONG OF SUMMER

by Robert Paul Weston ; illustrated by Misa Saburi

Immersive illustrations and rich poetry urge young readers to slow down and appreciate nature. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    ONLY THE CAT SAW

    JUNE 16, 2020

CHILDREN'S

ONLY THE CAT SAW

by Ashley Wolff ; illustrated by Ashley Wolff

A beautiful, quiet, indoor-outdoor family story that will dazzle the eye and warm the heart. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

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