What pairs perfectly with a sweet rooftop bar, a refreshing boozy slushy and colorful statement sunglasses? An awesome summer read, of course! Sure, you could always grab that dusty copy of Moby Dick you’ve been telling yourself you’re going to read for years, but we think it’s time to mix it up with something a little trendier. Here are the 14 must-read adult books that hit the shelves this month.
1. I Almost Forgot About You: A Novel by Terry McMillan ($18): We’ve all thought about quitting our day job, moving out of our grungy apartment and living the high life for a while — but for Dr. Georgia Young that dream is a reality. Terry McMillian slays it again in this heartwarming tale.
2. Foreign Agent: A Thriller by Brad Thor ($20): If you’re looking for one of those books you end up staying awake until 2am reading, check out Thor’s latest thriller. Following the exciting life of CIA contractor Scot Harvath, Thor’s epic telling of an international terrorism play has all the trimmings of a classic nail biter.
3. The Girls: A Novel by Emma Cline ($16): Everyone is talking about the debut novel from youngster Emma Cline, and for good reason. 1960s meets charming cult leaders meets the intricacies of growing up… let’s just say it’s definitely worth the investment.
4. Vinegar Girl: A Novel by Anne Tyler ($19): This isn’t your grandmother’s Shakespeare. With eccentric scientists, pre-school drama and enough LOLs to keep you belly-laughing throughout, this The Taming of the Shrew adaptation will make you a fan of the Bard yet.
5. They May Not Mean to, but They Do: A Novel by Cathleen Schine ($17): A brilliant novel on the complex pathos of growing older, this inter-generational story is both hilarious and heartfelt at the same time.
6. Sex Object: A Memoir by Jessica Valenti ($20): Girlboss columnist, superstar author and women’s rights advocate Jessica Valenti explores modern sexism in this tell-all that every woman should read at least once.
7. The Girl from the Savoy: A Novel by Hazel Gaynor ($9): Are you missing a little Great Gatsby glamour in your life? Check out the latest from Hazel Gaynor — not only will you be completely immersed in a jazzy spectacle from the first page, but the underdog storyline will leave you rooting for Dolly Lane’s dreams like she was your bestie.
8. One True Loves: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid ($9): If you read this title and thought to yourself, “Hey wait; isn’t that’s a typo?” I have two things to say to you. One, we should be friends. Two, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s heartwarming tale of a choice between two loves might just convince you otherwise.
9. Every Little Step: My Story by Bobby Brown and Nick Chiles ($21): R&B fans and pop culture junkies, rejoice! In his much-anticipated memoir, Bobby Brown details everything from the highs of his career to his media-frenzied marriage to Whitney Houston.
10. Black Man, White House: An Oral History of the Obama Years by D.L. Hughley ($18): If you’re looking for a serious analysis on the Obama administration, this probably isn’t the book for you. The newest addition from rockstar comedian D.L. Hughley is a satirical and hilarious take on Obama’s last two terms. It’ll make any fan of late night TV roll over with laughter.
11. The Space Between Sisters: A Butternut Lake Novel by Mary McNear ($9): Fans of the Butternut Lake series will swoon for McNear’s latest novel, set during the dog days of summer. A classic tale of sisters with opposite personalities, this light read pairs perfectly with a mai tai, a lightly swaying hammock and a beautiful summer sunset.
12. Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality by Debbie Cenziper and Jim Obergefell ($21): Using insider accounts never previously publicized, this definitive history of the Supreme Court case that legalized gay marriage in all 50 US states is not to be missed.
13. Marked for Life by Emelie Schepp ($21): From the brilliant, dark mind of Nordic crime author Emelie Schepp comes this police drama tailor-made for fans of Law and Order: SVU. Told from the tragic mind of public prosecutor Jana Berzelius, it’s a gut-wrenching story about a haunting past that just might make you sweat.
14. Barkskins: A Novel by Annie Proulx ($22): Following the incredible success of Brokeback Mountain and The Shipping News, Annie Proulx’s must-anticipated epic is definitely worth the wait. Spanning numerous generations over three hundred years, Proulx’s masterwork is ecologically relevant and beautifully told.
What are you reading this June? Tweet us a pic by mentioning @BritandCo.
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
(Featured image via Getty)
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.