10 New Book Club Picks for Summer 2026
Let’s check out 10 book club picks for summer 2026!
It’s arriving, summer reading season! We have longer days ahead, so let’s fill them with lots of reading, right?
As always, there are a ton of books being published this summer. Each one is hoping to grab your attention as you read on the patio or head to your next vacation.
If you’ve seen my must-read book club picks for 2026 list, you’ll see on there several books coming this summer, including Land by Maggie O’Farrell, Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer, and more (check out the full list here).
However, there are so many other books being published as well. So I put together this handy list of 10 new summer books for 2026. These range from literary fiction to lighter romances to some thrillers as well. There will be something for everyone on this list.
Let’s get to it! These are listed in order of pub dates.
The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff
I’ve heard wonderful things about The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff. This is a family saga following a couple whose beloved home goes up in flames the very same night they decide to get a divorce.
With their home gone, the couple retreats to the wife’s childhood home in Dallas with her aging but spirited parents, as the family reckons with the aftermath.
Stories that really dive into the unique dynamics of families are always appealing and ideal for book club discussion. I also appreciate that this book is set in Texas, a break from stories typically set in the East or West Coast. Looking forward to this one.
Check back soon for a review and book club questions!
The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh
I’ve been excited about this one for a while. In this part mystery, part love story, Carrie and Jonah are set to marry after a whirlwind romance. But suddenly, a group of armed men takes Jonah away, and she never sees him again.
Twelve years later, Carrie is married to Robin and has six-year-old twins. But when she stumbles on an online post detailing that Jonah escaped, she becomes obsessed with wondering what happened all those years ago.
Such an engaging premise! Check back for a review and book club questions.
Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
You know summer has arrived when there’s a new Annabel Monaghan novel! Dolly All the Time follows Dolly, a single mother who returns to her hometown to help her family. She meets Stewart, who is trying to change his image in order to take over his family business.
He offers to help Dolly with her family’s home if she pretends to be his girlfriend for the summer. She agrees, and soon sparks will fly.
It sounds so fun and lovely, which is an ideal summer read! Check back soon for a review and book club questions.
Whistler by Ann Patchett
You’ll definitely want to make time for Whistler by Ann Patchett. Her previous novel, Tom Lake, was a huge success and so popular with book clubs. She’s known for her slow-paced but also moving and thought-provoking novels.
In Whistler, Daphne is with her husband at the Metropolitan Museum of Art when she encounters her former stepfather. She hasn’t seen him in many years since a fateful event occurred. But meeting again, time falls away.
I’m so curious about this one. Check back soon for a review and book club questions.
Marion by Leah Rowan
Have you seen the original Psycho movie? Whew, even knowing the big reveal (definitely not a spoiler alert anymore, haha), it’s still scary! Anyway, one of the reasons the movie was so popular was it made a bold choice to kill off its protagonist.
However, the novel Marion explores the concept of what if she fought back and survived? But where will she go now, and what happens next?
I’m quite intrigued by this one and where the story will go. Check back soon for a review and book club questions.
The Missed Connection by Tia Williams
Tia Williams writes heartfelt romance that leaves a lasting impression. Her latest one follows Sasha, a career-focused woman who finally finds her match with a seatmate on a plane. But they don’t exchange information, and now she’s hoping she can track him down. Even hiring a detective she knew in another life.
This sounds like an enjoyable read. Check back for review and book club questions.
The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
For those who love stories set on the East Coast, The Shampoo Effect certainly delivers on that setting. The novel is about a woman joining a super-tight social set, which will eventually shake up marriages and friendships in a small seaside town in New England.
I haven’t read Jenny Jackson’s work yet, so I’m looking forward to checking this one out. Come back for a review and book club questions!
The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders
The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders follows a heartbroken woman who inherits her father’s share of a Tennessee farm. But it’s not any ordinary farm, as it’s rich in family secrets but also occupied with busybody ghosts.
It promises to be one of those epic family sagas that will no doubt generate much discussion among book clubs. Really looking forward to it.
Check back soon for a review and book club questions!
Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead
This title is certainly one that stands out! The story takes place in Hollywood and follows Scout Sage, an aspiring singer-actress. She lost her sister 10 years ago, and she’s done her best to honor her memory while climbing the celebrity ladder, but also creating a network of women with cutthroat ambition.
But when Scout finds herself at the epicenter of a thrilling murder investigation, the stakes reach an all-time high.
This one should be quite the ride. Check back soon for a review and book club questions.
When Mikan Road Was Ours by D.K. Furutani
A powerful debut to have on your list is When Milan Road Was Ours by D.K. Furutani. It follows Murano, a reclusive high school teacher grappling with grief, illness, and estrangement from his family.
When he inherits his great-uncle’s unpublished memoir, he is transported to 1930s California, exposing him to incredible stories of family, resilience, and Japanese American identity.
This will no doubt be an impactful read. Check back soon for a review and book club questions.
Happy reading!
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