This summer, reading transcends traditional lists, inviting flexibility and engagement. It promises fresh experiences, grounded in familiar places, with stories that resonate with local flavors and history.
Chicago Narratives
Among this summer’s books, Dawn Turner’s Majestic Hills (out August 4) stands out. The story follows a Black Chicago couple moving to a predominantly white suburb, where neighborly politeness begins to sour. Another recommendation is Rowan Beaird’s Tenderness (July 21), featuring an island wedding with hints of a cult-like interlude, offering an intense, underlying thread.
The Au Pair by Teddy Wayne (June 30) provides suspense with a nod to noir. The tale involves a Norwegian nanny entangled in unexpected drama. Meanwhile, Colson Whitehead’s Cool Machine (July 21) concludes his Harlem Trilogy, a multifaceted crime series exploring generations of Black New York life.
Diverse Perspectives
Kathleen Rooney’s Man Overboard! (July 7) blends humor and introspection as a man reevaluates his life while stranded at sea. Similarly, Ann Patchett’s Whistler rekindles bonds between estranged family members, while Elizabeth Strout’s The Things We Never Say questions personal history, reminiscent of Strout’s Pulitzer work Olive Kitteridge.
Elsewhere, young adult author Melissa Albert’s debut adult novel, The Children (June 2), unravels the mysterious legacy of a famous writer. Ray Nayler’s Palaces of the Crow delves into a WWII setting with an imaginative twist involving intelligent birds.
Sporting Highlights
Explore history with Randall Sullivan’s The First All-Star Game, reconnecting Chicago with a 1933 narrative involving Babe Ruth and FDR. Nick Greene’s How To Watch Soccer like a Genius provides bite-sized insights into the game, touching on unexpected connections.
Local Flavor
Sandra Jackson-Opoku’s Savvy Summers and the Po’boy Perils (July 21) returns with a culinary crime adventure featuring South Side chef Savvy Summers. Jackson-Opoku peppers the narrative with local flavors and humor in a story about a thieving suspect.
Vivid Memoirs and Biographies
Timothy Tyson and Mary Williams’s biography of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson provides a detailed look at her life, while Elise Ann Allen’s portrayal of the Pope offers a personal view into shaping factors of spiritual leadership.
History and Reflection
This Land is Your Land by Beverly Gage provides a road trip revisiting America’s history through tangible landmarks. Isaac Fitzgerald’s American Rambler adds a gritty angle, exploring forgotten Americana through travels tied to Johnny Appleseed’s legacy.
Jill Lepore’s The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State (August 25) challenges perceptions of AI and governance. Nathaniel Rich’s Cloudthief (July 14) cleverly examines climate and technological secrecy.
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