Seven Summer Reads We’re Excited About

Did you know that summer reading is a phenomenon? It is. Ever since I discovered Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy and her annual Summer Reading Guide (this year’s edition releases on May 18th), I have looked forward with great anticipation to all the books releasing in the summer. Lady Smith, owner of Snail on the Wall, Huntsville’s local independent bookstore, and sponsor of the Rocket City Mom Virtual Book Club has had her eye on some summer titles also. Here are the summer reads we’re excited about.
7 Can’t-Miss Books to Add to Your Summer Reading List
THE SECRET BOOK OF FLORA LEA by Patti Henry
This is a book for people who love books! Spanning two timelines, in the 1940’s, 14-year-old Hazel and 5-year-old Flora are evacuated from the London Blitz. While in the English countryside, Flora goes missing and is presumed dead. Twenty years later, Hazel discovers a book containing a story with details just like the fairytale that she told Flora when they were children. How can it be? Is Flora still alive? The Secret Book of Flora Lea released May 2.
See Patti Henry at the Friends in Fiction event sponsored by the Huntsville/Madison County Public Library and the Snail on the Wall, on June 6 at 6:30 PM.

YELLOWFACE by R. F. Kuang
This is destined to be one of the biggest books of the summer! And another for people who love the business of books. Yellowface offers an inside look into the publishing world with the story of Juniper Song, a pseudonym, and her best seller, that she did not write. Releasing May 16, this selection is included in the Snail on the Wall’s Spring Bundle.

THE MAKING OF ANOTHER MOTION PICTURE MASTERPIECE: A NOVEL by Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks has written a novel! Need we say more? Probably not but here is the premise: A troubled soldier returns from WWII and leaves an impression on his nephew who grows up to write a comic book about his “heroic” uncle. In present day, a director decides to turn the comic book into a movie. We meet all involved in the process. Releasing May 30, we can’t wait to get our hands on this one.

THE FIRST LADIES by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray.
Marie Benedict writes the best novels based on real-life characters. This one is based on the real-life friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune, civil rights activist and educator. The Personal Librarian was a run-away hit. Releasing June 27.

ONE SUMMER IN SAVANNAH by Terah Shelton Harris
Sara is desperate to protect her daughter from the family of the man who assaulted her in this debut novel told in alternating points of view. This is a heartbreaking but hopeful story, interrogating forgiveness and redemption. Terah Shelton Harris is a librarian in our great state of Alabama, and her debut releases on July 4.

HELLO STRANGER by Katherine Center
What is Sadie to do when she wakes up from minor surgery with the inability to remember anyone’s face? Take solace in her dog, Peanut, salvage her artistic career, and deal with her annoying neighbor wearing his ever-present bowling jacket. But what happens when she rushes Peanut to the vet who then asks her out on a date? And what happens when her annoying neighbor stops being so annoying? Katherine Center writes so that we can “read for joy”. Her newest offering will be released on July 11.
The RCM Virtual Book Club just completed Center’s backlist Happiness for Beginners, our March/April selection. It was a hit.

THE LAST RANGER by Peter Heller
Peter Heller, author of the best seller The River, writes mysteries set in nature sure to please all readers, including our male contemporaries. Set in Yellowstone National Park, this is a story about a skirmish between a local hunter and wolf biologist and the park ranger, who although adrift in his personal life, wants to uncover the truth. Releasing August 1.

Consider picking up one or two of these titles at the Snail on the Wall but no matter where you pick one up, we hope you enjoy it. Happy Summer Reading!
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Shannan Moore Malone squeezes in the time to write while taking care of the Buddy Man. As you already know, she loves books but she also loves great movies, running, and is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, a foodie. Though generally more on the quiet side, you can get her talking by mentioning living authentically, the importance of clarity and organization, and enjoying life, which she occasionally writes about on her blog her blog and posts about on Instagram.