2024 Summer Reading Guide: Part 1
Welcome to the kick off of the Old Town Books Summer Reading Guide!
Below you’ll find all our favorites for summer. Stay tuned for part 2 of this post which will feature our Kids and Teens guide.
Grab a cold seltzer, some sunnies, and stuff your pool bag full of these staff favorites for summer. We cover everything from thoughtful essays to funny literary fiction, hot romances to chilling thrillers.
Here’s to a Hot Book Summer for all!
Which reminds us, we’re hosting a special day-long celebration of summer reading on Saturday, June 29th. Browse all these reading guide picks IRL, and stick around for author visits, storytimes for kids, ice cream, and a sizzling Romance Book Fair in the evening.
Without further ado, here are our Summer Reading Guide Picks for 2024!
Green Frog by Gina Chung
Paperback
3/12/24
Short Stories
A stunning set of litfic short stories with a splash of sci-fi/fantasy. Collectively, they comment on womanhood, our bodies, our sacrifices, and our joys. Highly recommend for fans of Ken Liu or Ted Chiang. - Su
If You Can’t Take the Heat by Geraldine DeRuiter
Hardcover
3/12/24
Biography
There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib
Hardcover
3/26/24
Memoir
Butter by Asako Yuzuki, Translated by Polly Barton
Hardcover
4/16/24
In Translation
One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole
Paperback
4/16/24
Thriller
A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall
Paperback
4/23/24
Fantasy
This fantasy novel from debut author Sylvie Cathrall is perfect for those new to the genre. The characters are designed with so much care, it feels like you've known them your whole life. On top of that, the entire story is told in the form of a compilation of letters between the characters and the slow burn mystery will have you hanging on the edge of your seat. - Kai and Kim
Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett
Hardcover
4/30/24
Thriller
Women and Children First by Alina Grabowski
Hardcover
5/7/24
Literary Fiction
Tits Up by Sarah Thornton
Hardcover
5/7/24
Social Science
The Honey Witch by Sydney J Shields
Paperback
5/14/24
Fantasy
This Bridgerton / Practical Magic mash up is too sweet! There's romance, secret magic grannies, and a battle against evil all nestled within a cozy story about a woman finding herself and claiming her power. Oh, and the magic system is based on beekeeping- need I say more? - Lane
Magical/Realism: Essays on Music, Memory, Fantasy, and Borders by Vanessa Angelica Villarreal
Hardcover
5/14/24
Essays
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
Hardcover
5/7/24
Literary Fiction
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle
Hardcover
6/4/24
Romance
Swift River by Essie Chambers
Hardcover
6/4/24
Literary Fiction
Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland
Hardcover
6/11/24
Fantasy
The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd
Hardcover
6/11/24
Thriller
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Hardcover
6/11/24
Literary Fiction
A funny and philosophical coming of age story about a plucky protagonist determined to make a life for herself against the odds. Margo is the hero you didn't know you needed in your reading life, you'll be cheering her on and laughing along the way. - Ally
Make it stand out
Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
Hardcover
6/18/24
Literary Fiction
Sandwich by Catherine Newman
Hardcover
6/18/24
Literary Fiction
Sandwich is such a funny and tender novel about quirky family dynamics and reckoning with the passage of time. I read it through in practically one sitting. Don't let the corny cover deter you, this is a sharp, smart, and laugh out loud funny book. - Ally
Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allenke it stand out
Paperback
6/11/24
Romance
Just Add Water by Katie Ledecky
Hardcover
6/11/24
Memoir
Through the Groves by Anne Hull
Paperback
6/25/24
Memoir
Happy summer reading!
P.s. - don’t forget to stop by the shop for your reading challenge Bingo card. Follow the reading prompts, get your “Bingo”, and earn a free slice of cheese pizza from Andy’s Pizza!