June Release Love

The new releases I'm excited about this month

It’s that time! A new roundup of the books I’ve read or plan to read that are released this month. There seems to be a few themes: friendship; women in their midlife; celebrity; and lots of settings as characters. I only wish there was more time to read them all!

I’ve been reading more and more audiobooks, and if you haven’t tried them or don’t have an audiobook subscription, now is the time: June is Audiobook month. Libro.fm is my favorite way to listen to audiobooks, and my favorite audiobook company to support. Use my code (KATHARINE) or this link and get 2 audiobook credits for the price of 1.

Let me know what you add to your TBR, and what books you’re excited about this month that I might have missed 📚

Note: Please check content warnings before picking up these books if there are certain things you’re trying to avoid. The StoryGraph is a great resource!

Ones I’ve read

(Adding in a couple May 31 releases because that’s basically June, right? Plus these two were too good not to include.)

• The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz, narrated by Julia Whelan – I liked this one so much more than I expected to (and the longer I sit with it, I like it even more). If you like family dramas, rich people behaving badly, secrets being kept (and revealed), and character-driven stories, this is for you. For fans of Malibu Rising and Commonwealth. Released 5/31.
  LibroFM | Bookshop

• Kings of B’more by R. Eric Thomas, narrated by Torian Brackett – Thomas’ Here For It was one of my favorite books of 2020, and while his latest is quite different (YA vs. essays) it’s equally as good. Full of fun, laughs, and heartwarming moments, you’ll enjoy this even if you don’t typically like YA. (And the narration is great.) Released 5/31.
  LibroFM | Bookshop

• Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan – THIS BOOK. If you only read one of my four recs, make it this one. I wish I could experience it all over again for the first time. Yes, it’s a romcom, but it’s so much more. Every single character is complex and interesting (even the kids!), the house as a character is one I wish I could visit (I pictured it as a cross between Father of the Bride and The Notebook). If you read The Idea of You and didn’t get the hype, pick this up – it satisfied my celebrity romance craving in a much more heartwarming way. For fans of Kerry Winfrey. Released today, 6/7.
  LibroFM | Bookshop

• Flying Solo by Linda Holmes, narrated by Julia Whelan – After loving Evvie Drake Starts Over, I was thrilled to hear Holmes had a new one (but also a little nervous it wouldn’t live up to my expectations). Spoiler alert, it did! It has the same signature Holmes style and setting, but with a very different story, one that has romance yes, but also is about family and making a life outside of others’ expectations. Highly recommend, especially on audio. For fans of Katherine Center. Releases 6/14.
  LibroFM | Bookshop

On my shelf

• Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine – This book is getting a lot of attention, and for good reason. Fajardo-Anstine’s short story collection, Sabrina & Corina, was a National Book Award Finalist. From the publisher: “A dazzling epic of betrayal, love, and fate that spans five generations of an Indigenous Chicano family in the American West.”(I’ll be listening to the audio, narrated by Melinna Bobadilla.) Released today, 6/7.

• These Impossible Things by Salma El-Wardany – “From the publisher: “A razor-sharp debut novel of three best friends navigating love, sex, faith, and the one night that changes it all.” (This is Read With Jenna’s June pick.) Female friendship and messy love? Yes, please! Released today, 6/7.

• Rough Draft by Katy Tur – From the publisher: “Intimate and captivating, this memoir explores the gift and curse of family legacy, examines the roles and responsibilities of the news, and asks the question: To what extent do we each get to write our own story?” I’ve already heard good things about this one and am eager to read it on audio (narrated by the author). Releases 6/14.

• On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi – From the publisher: “For fans of Grey’s Anatomy and Seven Days in June, this dazzling debut novel explores that time in your life when you must decide what you want, how to get it, and who you are, all while navigating love, friendship, and the realization that the path you’re traveling is going to be a bumpy ride.” TBH, they had me at Grey’s Anatomy. Releases 6/21.

• The Long Answer by Anna Hogeland – From the publisher: “Deeply empathetic and hugely absorbing, it unravels the intimate dynamics of female friendship, sisterhood, motherhood, and grief, and the ways that women are bound together and pulled apart by their shared and contrasting experiences of pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, and infertility.” Releases 6/21.

On my holds list

• So Happy For You by Celia Laskey – Her previous novel, Under the Rainbow, was one of my favorites of 2021. This one is described as a “devilishly clever summer read” and a “sly thriller”. Released today, 6/7.

• Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe – Rebecca Makkai says, “Toya Wolfe is a storyteller of the highest order.” And the publisher says it’s for fans of Jacqueline Woodson and Brit Bennett. Say no more. Releases 6/14.

• Good Morning, Love by Ashley M. Coleman – From the publisher: “… shows us what the glamorous New York music scene is really like and takes us into the lives of a rising but somewhat troubled R&B star and a promising protege who knows her job better than she knows herself.” Releases 6/21.

• American Royalty by Tracey Livesay – This is being marketed as a fictional version of the romance between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and that’s all I need to know. Releases 6/28.

• The Measure by Nikki Erlick – This might be the one I’m most curious this month. Laurie Frankel says it’s a “timely and fascinating setup buttressed by a compelling cast of characters finding their way through unprecedented times.” Releases 6/28.

Paperback releases

• Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney (6/7)

• The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris (6/7)

• One Two Three by Laurie Frankel (6/7)

• Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (6/7)

• Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney (6/21)

• The Guest List by Lucy Foley (6/28)

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Until next month!

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