| May 23, 2026 
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Welcome back to The Weekender, where you’ll find a batch of the week’s top stories about culture and the way we live today. At the beginning of the year, I set a reading goal and promised to read before bed each night. No scrolling! Only books! I blew through library holds in January, because January feels like it might last forever. Then, the months started toppling into each other, and I got stuck slogging through one just-not-for-me book club pick. Now it’s Memorial Day weekend, and there is a growing to-be-read stack on my end table. But this is not defeat. It’s time to start fresh, and my colleagues at The Book Review are making it fun to do so with their second annual Summer Reading Bucket List. They’ve provided 10 literary to-dos, and the goal is to complete five before fall. Even if you’re not stuck in a reading rut like me, be sure to check out all the options below so you can play along. (This year, there are prizes!) Also in this edition, dive into the drama surrounding Timmy the whale, find out when to trust your health to a chiropractor and weigh in on whether men who date women should hide their cats. I’ll see you next weekend(er). — Farah And, what will you be reading?My colleagues at The Book Review want to know what’s on everyone’s list, and will be checking in to see how we’re doing. Not sure yet? They’ll also provide personalized book recommendations in the comments. All you need to do is ask.  | Jennifer Harlan Editor for the Book Review | I love a checklist, especially one like this that helps me read more widely and adventurously than I might have otherwise, and I’ve already been scheming about what might make my own list this summer. I’d love to know which books are on yours! My colleagues and I will be here all summer sharing our own progress, answering questions and providing recommendations. I hope you’ll join us. |
| | Lucia NYC | I recommend A Month in the Country by JLCarr, which checks several boxes - it takes place in the summer, it is SHORT, and it has been adapted into a (fabulous) film. The book is about a damaged WWI veteran who is restoring a medieval fresco in a country church in England. Meditative and healing. The film -1987– stars a young and hunky Colin Firth in an early role, Kenneth Branagh, and Natasha Richardson. What’s not to like?
It might also qualify as a classic, and you can check it out of the NYPL as I did. Maybe there should be an extra category in the challenge for selections that qualify in the most categories. |  | Sadie Stein Editor for the Book Review | @Lucia I'm so glad you mentioned this! A truly wonderful book (and film)! |
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