The Book Review: What to read this summer
Plus: new things to read this week.
Books
May 29, 2026
The New York Times

Dear readers,

Like fishermen, my colleagues and I have been trawling for the best the season has to offer. Allow me to present you with our haul: 74 novels, memoirs, histories and mysteries (and more) to watch for this summer.

Personally, I’m tempted by Mary H.K. Choi’s novel “Pool House” (I will always read a mother-daughter story, especially when dysfunction is involved) and a memoir by a trash collector (ditto people with underappreciated jobs, and who live in Montreal). I know I say this with the annoying regularity of a carbon monoxide alarm in its last days, but I truly think there is something for virtually every kind of taste represented on these lists. You can keep track of what interests you by using the “want to read” and “have read” buttons under each title, and find everything you’ve saved here.

My fellow editors and I are always curious to hear what you’re reading. Please drop me a note by emailing books@nytimes.com. I might shamelessly copy your ideas!

See you next week.

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