Show Notes
Sarah and Catherine circle back to the 12 new releases they shared in the Summer 2026 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to! Find out which books worked, which didn't, and whether their most anticipated summer reads lived up to expectations.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Want More Book Preview Picks? Paid members of our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both $7/month with the same member benefits) get even more seasonal recommendations with Book Preview Extras! In each episode, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 additional books they're excited about that didn't make the main Book Preview. Join on Patreon or Substack to listen — and get access to all our other bonus podcast episodes and paid-member content. Highlights Catherine calls her summer Preview reading "upwardly mobile," while Sarah sees hers as "the downside of high-risk picks." Catherine liked 4 of her 6 picks, while Sarah's riskier summer ended with one 5-star read — and 3 DNFs. Catherine and Sarah each tried one of the other's Preview picks … and neither made it to the finish line. Some deep thoughts on books where you can "feel the writing device" — and why that rarely works for either of them. Plus, Sarah has a new label for those deeply immersive, cozy reads: "warm bath books." And, of course, their best and worst book picks of the summer! Books Read Before the Preview Sarah's Pick Whistler by Ann Patchett (June 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:17] Other Books Mentioned Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (2026) [4:02] Summer 2026 Circle Back June Catherine's Picks A Year of Marvelous Ways by Sarah Winman (US Release June 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:37] Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi (June 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:41] The Top of the World by Ethan Joella (June 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:26] Keep Them Close by David Ellis (June 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:17] Other Books Mentioned Pearce Oysters by Joselyn Takacs (2024) [7:08] July Sarah's Picks The Half Life by Rachel Beanland (July 14) |Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:33] Dad, Love, Me by Matthew Quick (July 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:08] Catherine's Pick City of Widows by Nadia Hashimi (July 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:19] Other Books Mentioned The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick (2008) [15:34] The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi (2014) [34:42] August Sarah's Picks Everything That Is Beautiful by Louise Nealon (August 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:25] Sunlight Finds You by Laura Moriarty (August 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[30:03] Kitten by Stacey Yu (August 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:39] Catherine's Pick You'll Love It Here by Natalie Sue (August 11) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:26] Other Books Mentioned Snowflake by Louise Nealon (2021) [24:09] Normal People by Sally Rooney (2019) [24:15] Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [25:07] Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) [25:11] Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (2014) [30:25] The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty (2012) [30:57] I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue (2024) [41:53]
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