As the sun stretches its golden fingers across the sky and the scent of freshly cut grass fills the air, summer whispers promises of relaxation, adventure, and, for bookworms, the perfect time to dive into a good book—Beach Reads, anyone? Whether you’re planning your travel packing list or a relaxing staycation, we have the perfect book(s) to kick off your summer relaxation reading!

The Aftertime, L. L. H. Harms ​

What if you had a weapon that had the power to heal, as long as it was never used in anger? What if this knife had been handed down for generations in your family, but because of you, it has now been taken? What if you were only twelve years old? This timeline-spanning middle grade novel begins in the mid-1700s in Virginia with the surprising friendship between two boys: one native Monacan and the other an English settler. The Aftertime asks what is worth fighting for, and how to fight for it. Most importantly, it’s a story about following your moral compass and standing up, sometimes all alone, for what is just.

All That Really Matters, David Weill

Joe Bosco is an arrogant, hard-charging transplant surgeon whose ambition knows no bounds. He takes a position at a private hospital in San Francisco which pays Joe an exorbitant salary and where the bottom line is… the bottom line. Dr. Bosco makes it to the top as a star in the transplant world but soon realizes that the new world he inhabits is fraught with moral and ethical transgressions, some his partners commit and, eventually, some he commits. It is not until his life spins out of control that Joe must come to terms with his own failings and find his true purpose in life… in the most unlikely of places.

America in Therapy: A New Approach to Hope and Healing for a Nation in Crisis, Phyllis E. Leavitt

While partisanship, violent rhetoric, and even outright aggression threaten to dismantle our country, there is hope.  Discover a path beyond America’s current division and conflict in America in Therapy by Phyllis Leavitt, a long-time psychotherapist who envisions the entire nation as a patient in dire need of therapy. In the first book of its kind, Leavitt highlights a crucial missing piece from national political discourse – the declining state of America’s mental health – and emphasizes that addressing our nation’s ills from a psychological perspective takes us beyond partisanship altogether. America in Therapy not only informs but also inspires actions towards reconciliation, unity, and healing, appealing to social reformers, young adults, and anyone invested in a peaceful future for our country.

The Duchess of Kokora, Nikhil Prabala 

The Duchess of Kokora, Phera Ylir Mdana, has entered the marriage games of the neighboring kingdom of Ryene. But she’s not there to woo the dashing Prince Dominic, rather, Lady Rocelle Virae—Phera’s true love, ex-fiancee, and fellow contestant. Love proves to be a game like any other when Phera must not only mend matters with her childhood sweetheart, but conceal her true intentions in order to earn votes and stay in the competition. And as long-brewing political tensions simmer beneath the surface, the playful veneer of the competition begins to crack. In the end, Phera, Dominic, and Rocelle find themselves united in a desperate bid to prevent a duel that threatens the integrity of the kingdom, the stability of the continent, and any hope for a happily ever after.

The Editors, Stephen Harrison

The Editors takes readers behind the scenes of a fictionalized version of Wikipedia called Infopendium. The facts seen near the top of most Google searches are the result of cooperation and curation between dozens, even hundreds of volunteer editors, but what is written can also spark fierce battles between the editors and sway the truth for millions.

Morgan Wentworth, a recently laid-off freelance reporter, stumbles into this unseen world after witnessing a cyber attack at the Global Infopendium Conference in New York. Determined to delve deeper into the world of the editors and uncover the truth about the hacker, she finds herself caught amidst the competing interests of billionaires, foreign governments, and individual editors from around the world. And with a global pandemic brewing, the importance of who controls Infopendium only increases.

Farm Family: A Solo Mom’s Memoir of Finding Home, Happiness and Alpacas, Jane Lee Rankin

Jane Lee Rankin, 63, is a role model for reinvention. When she was 37, she received news that upended her life: she’s pregnant. As a cancer survivor only 18 months in remission. Her boyfriend wouldn’t commit, and her father was unsupportive. She decided to raise the baby by herself despite the scorn of her conservative hometown. But then: Armed only with a dream and a toddler, Lee marched into Banner Elk, NC—a place where she knew no one—to start an alpaca farm—with no experience. After a moment’s inspiration felt like a calling. At Apple Hill Farm, Lee traded fear for freedom, disdain for dignity. Her inspiring story is chronicled in Farm Family: A Solo Mom’s Memoir of Finding Home, Happiness and Alpacas. (Watch Jane and see the farm here!)

Homecoming Queen, Chad Boudreaux

Time is of the essence as the hurricane of the century, predicted to obliterate everything in its path, barrels toward Anika’s hometown. Not long ago, she was the high school’s beloved homecoming queen, but now she finds herself on the run from the law and running out of time after family troubles force her to pursue vigilante justice. With the storm approaching and tensions in town increasing, factions brace for battle with Anika and her sister trying to survive. Homecoming Queen was written for adults of all ages with a love for fast-paced thrillers. 

Iron Dad: A Cancer Survivor’s Story of Discovering Strength, Life, and Love through Fatherhood, Paul Weigel

“Incredibly powerful . . . A hopeful story of resilience and determination to find one’s place in the world in the face of adversity. Get it,” says Kirkus Reviews. This inspiring memoir chronicles when Paul Weigel, then the father of a three-year-old daughter, conquered both colorectal cancer and the Ironman Triathlon one right after the other. Suzanne Stone, President & CEO Livestrong, says, “Iron Dad is a powerful testament to resilience, courage, and the unbreakable bond between father and child.” His close relationship with his daughter inspired him in both achievements then, and motivated him to share his story more widely now, as she sought to learn more about his experience. 

Marked, L. R. W. Lee

Gladriel, her new fallen friends, and her former squadron mates, have had limited success shifting the world-ending prophecy. They feel increasingly helpless as war, famine, plague, and hyperinflation rage, killing millions of the humans they are committed to protecting. Their only hope for rescue is to throw themselves on the Almighty’s mercy and beg him to reverse their sentences, putting Glad and her friends in an impossible situation. From USA Today bestselling author L.R.W. Lee, Marked is the third book in the addictive Morningstar Academy series. This intriguing and unseen world of angels and demons is perfect for fans of Good Omens and Penryn & the End of Days. 

Rethinking College: A Guide to Thriving Without a Degree, Karin Klein 

You don’t have to go to college. Contrary to conventional wisdom, a bachelor’s degree is not necessary in order to succeed financially, have an interesting and fulfilling career, contribute to the world, or even to be a well-educated person and great thinker. In Rethinking College, award-winning journalist Karin Klein examines why the college-for-all model is growing less relevant, then shares practical advice and real-world examples of exactly how others have succeeded without a four-year degree. Don’t just go to college because everyone says you have to—find the path that’s right for you. The breadth of possibilities is wider than you think. A must-read for anyone seeking an alternative to the traditional college path. 

Sacrifices Beyond Kingdoms, Patricia D’Arcy Laughlin

As mysterious, unforeseen forces threaten to destroy them, three impassioned lovers—Elizabeth, Edward, and Michael—fight to save their individual “kingdoms.” Determined to forget the man she cannot afford to love, Elizabeth struggles to keep control of her own kingdom while Michael’s tempestuous rage at Elizabeth battles with his passionate desire for her. To ensure the continuation of his own actual kingdom, he risks breaking all the rules, and the love triangle in which he is trapped takes a horrendous turn. Continuing the story told in Sacrifices For Kingdoms, fall in love all over again as you uncover the truths and trepidations of these unforgettable characters in Book Two of this epic love story. 

Zephyr’s War, James R. Gregory

Tragedy struck when the Chernobyl disaster took the lives of most of his family and turned their once fertile land into a barren wasteland. Determined to escape their grim reality, Zep and his brother Ziggy set out on a journey to start anew in America. Zep’s triumphs draw the attention of a sinister syndicate—the Russian mafia—who desire a slice of his success. Time becomes the enemy as the clock ticks ominously, propelling Zep and Steve into a high-stakes battle for their reputations, their futures, and their very lives. Zephyr’s War is a gripping tale of ambition, temptation, and the precarious nature of wealth’s pursuit.

Traveler’s Table, Meagan Wristen

Travelers Table features an exciting collection of recipes inspired by places around the world. Take your friends and family on a journey right from your table through food. Meagan Writsten is a travel expert and the founder, author, and host of Mommy Travels, a travel and lifestyle blog covering destinations from all around the world.

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Cover Photo by Dan Dumitriu on Unsplash