A Dozen Summer Galleys for Memorial Day Weekend Reading
Signaling the upcoming long weekend and the beginning of the summer reading season, NPR’s Morning Edition features 15 Summer Reads Handpicked By Indie Booksellers.
So we thought we’d do one of our own; a dozen summer galleys for Memorial Day Weekend reading, handpicked by EarlyWord and friends. None of these overlap with NPR’s list, so you have plenty to choose from.
Heading Out to Wonderful, Robert Goolrick, Workman/Algonquin Books; Highbridge Audio; Thorndike Large Print — eGalley on NetGalley
Two years ago, at the urging of Workman’s Michael Rockliff, I read Goolrick’s debut novel, A Reliable Wife. I was so bowled over that I wrote, “However many copies you’ve ordered of A Reliable Wife, by Robert Goolrick, it’s not enough.” It was satisfying to be proven right. I can easily say the same and then some for this, his second novel (he also wrote a haunting memoir, The End of the World As We Know It). I am beyond excited that I get to moderate ALTAFF’s “Book Trip” panel featuring Goolrick at BEA on June 6.
The After Wife, Gigi Levangie Grazer, RH/Ballantine, 7/10 — Digital ARC on Edelweiss and NetGalley
Wendy Bartlett, head of collection development at Cuyahoga County PL, emails us to say, “The After Wife is hilarious,” so hilarious that she’s ordered extra copies. It’s her “choice for the funny-word-of-mouth chick lit book for the pool crowd this summer.” Wendy will be on the Librarians’ Shout ‘n’ Share panel at BEA this year (Wed, June 6, 3:30 to 5 pm, Rm 1E11, Javits Center).
The Bellwether Revivals, Benjamin Wood, Penguin/Viking, 6/14 — Digital ARC on Edelweiss and NetGalley
If you’re part of the Penguin First Flights program, you’ree reading this one to prep for our live online chat with the author on June 1, 4 to 5 p.m. ET (listen to my short audio interview with him here). Even if you’re not part of the program, you’re welcome to join — just come to EarlyWord.com at chat time (thanks to Penguin for sponsoring the program and proving galleys for the participants).
Yes, Chef, Marcus Samuelsson, 6/26 — eGalley on NetGalley
Robin Beerbower of Salem PL in Oregon says she loved this book by the renowned chef. Born in Ethiopia, raised in Sweden, he knows a thing or two about trying to find his way in the world. Says Robin, it’s a “Great combo of memoir w/heart & food.” Robin is also on the Librarians’ Shout ‘n’ Share panel at BEA this year (Wed, June 6, 3:30 to 5 pm, Rm 1E11, Javits Center).
Tell the Wolves I’m Home, Carol Rifka Brunt, RH/Dial, 6/19 — Digital ARC on both Edelweiss and NetGalley
Raves on GalleyChat for this literary debut, with some saying it’s their favorite of the year.
Seating Arrangements, RH/Knopf 6/12 — Digital ARC on both Edelweiss and NetGalley
“WASP wedding dysfunction at it’s most hilarious” says Darien Library’s Jennifer Dayton.
Beautiful Ruins, Jess Walter, Harper, 6/12 — Digital ARC on Edelweiss
Wake County, NC, Recreation Reading Librarian, Janet Lockhart says it’s “One of my favs of the first half of the year. Great summer read. Can’t go wrong with it.” It’s also a favorite of the HarperCollins Library Marketing team. That cover screams everything one might want in a summer read, but we’ve heard others say they find it contrived. We’d love to hear what you think.
More titles, after the jump.
Shadow of Night, Deborah Harkness, Penguin/Viking — Digital ARC on both Edelweiss and NetGalley
GalleyChatters say this sequel to the debut hit, A Discovery of Witches is even better than the first one.
The Sandcastle Girls, Chris Bohjalian, RH/Doubleday, 7/17; Thorndike Large Print — Digital ARC on both Edelweiss and NetGalley
There was so much love for this one during the last GalleyChat that the author jumped in to soak it up.
Kill You Twice, Chelsea Cain, Macmillan/Minotaur, 8/7 — print ARC’s only
Robin Beerbower says, “It’s her best (& goriest) yet!”
The next two books are fall titles, but we included them because the authors are featured at the upcoming BEA:
Flight Behavior, Barbara Kingsolver, Harper, 11/6 — Digital ARC on Edelweiss
Kingsolver will speak at the Adult Book & Author Breakfast on Tuesday, June 5th (hosted by Stephen Colbert).
Telegraph Avenue, Michael Chabon, Harper, 9/11 — Digital ARC on Edelweiss
Cabon will speak at BEA’s Adult Book & Author Breakfast on Thursday, June 5th (hosted by Kirstie Alley).