10 Must-Read Books for Summer 2021

After years of summer vacations together, estranged BFFs Poppy and Alex are taking one last trip to try and salvage their relationship. The friends-to-lovers romance will make you swoon—and scratch your travel itch, too.
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Nella is tired of being the only Black girl in the office. She’s thrilled when Hazel joins the company…until strange things start happening. Funny, dark, and full of sharp social observations, this workplace thriller explores race and privilege against the backdrop of the very white publishing industry.
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Vo’s retelling of The Great Gatsby centers the story of Jordan Baker. She’s a rich and educated socialite—and also queer, Asian (adopted from Vietnam), and a magician. Her coming-of-age story is dark and fantastical, and adds a new dimension to the summer reading list classic.
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Told over the course of 24 hours and an annual family party, Reid’s latest tells the story of four siblings, each with their own secrets to keep. The setting—Malibu in the 80s—drips of summer, and the multi-generational family drama is packed with intrigue.
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A campus novel with irresistible elements—a secret society, Greek mythology, and mysterious murders—Michaelides’ second psychological thriller will have you at the edge of your seat from page one.
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Immerse yourself in the Afro-punk 1970s with this evocative story of an iconic (fictional) interracial rock duo. A unique structure, sharp insight on systemic racism and sexism, and a propulsive storyline make it a truly layered read.
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When writers Eva and Shane meet unexpectedly at a literary event, sparks fly. But what the Black literati around them don’t know is that the pair spent a week madly in love fifteen years earlier—and have been sending each other messages through their books ever since. Now they have another week to reconnect, and get answers to questions from all those years ago.
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The “queen of beach reads” is back with the perfect mix of family drama, secrets, and a peek into the afterlife. Vivian Howe, a writer and mother of three, is killed in a car accident, and ascends into the “beyond” where she’s able to watch what happens to her family for one more summer. She watches as her death is investigated, secrets are revealed, and her family members sort out their mistakes.
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When Anna Hart, a missing persons detective, heads back to her childhood hometown to grieve a personal tragedy, she finds that a local girl has gone missing. Anna’s past and present collide in an intense mystery that explores trauma theory, victim psychology, and more—all while keeping you peeled to the page.
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When tragedy strikes Maisie and Grant’s family, their larger-than-life Gay Uncle Patrick (or GUP, for short), takes them into his Palm Springs, not-quite-kid-friendly life. He’s got his Guncle Rules ready to go, but in the role of primary caregiver, realizes that parenting isn’t a series of treats and jokes. In a heartwarming story that manages to be both funny and wise, Rowley delivers a tribute to love and family.
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