At first glance, Nothing Random, Gayle Feldman’s biography of Random House’s founder Bennett Cerf might seem like too much insider trading for people not working in publishing. A second glance reveals a story of Jewish immigrants rebuilding themselves, breezy cocktail parties and long vacations abroad, plus some harrowing travel to war torn Europe. Anyone can, and should, read this book
January 13, 2026 Random House
Looking to slow down for the summer? So is Kit Roth, protagonist of Ali Rosen’s The Slow Burn. She heads to the Italian countryside to learn pasta making and traditional Italian cooking while waiting for her burned down restaurant in NY to be rebuilt and for her broken heart to heal. But when it comes time to return, she may find she doesn’t want to.
January 27, 2026 Montlake Publishing
You know you spent many a summer reading Judy Blume Books. Why not spend this one learning about the author? Judy Blume A Life by Mark Oppenheimer offers a new perspective on the author that influenced so many young readers and the entire publishing industry
March 10, 2026 G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
While The Kingdom of Almonds might not be the first thing that comes to mind as a summer read we hope you’ll hear us out. Ariel Kaplan’s secondary world Jewish fantasy series is compulsively readable with suspense, romance, and so many interlocking pieces I have no idea how she kept them all straight. Now that all three books in the Mirror Realm Cycle are available, they are the perfect summer binge read.
March 31, 2026 Erewhon Books
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The second book in the Pomona Afton series by Bellamy Rose has arrived and we are here for it. In Pomona Afton Can Totally Catch A Killer our unlikely heroine is throwing a gala for her nonprofit. It all goes swimmingly until the body of one her major donors is discovered int he middle of the festivities. To save her charity, and her social life, Pomona had better find the culprit.
April 14, 2026 Atria/Emily Bestler books
While the protagonist of Meet Me At The Picket Line, Eli, may be signing up for a summer job to fund his top surgery, the book can be read by YA summer vacationers everywhere – whether they are working or not. Turns out the job is a hellscape, the employees are unionizing, and in the midst of all that Eli realizes his super annoying school rival is also super attractive.
May 26, 2026 HarperCollins
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It isn’t summer if I don’t have a Sarah Goodman Confino book to pop in my beach tote. Her latest is Off The Record, a historical that follows an aspiring female journalist in the 1960’s. As she follows a high stakes lead she may also be falling in love – looks like she could have it all, if she doesn’t get killed first.
June 9, 2026 Lake Union Publishing
Looking for secluded settings and self care with your romance? Lindsay Hameroff has you covered. In Rewrite the Stars a divorced Holywood starlet flees the drama of LA with her two kids for the relative calm of a lake house in the Poconos. Enter the handsome and supportive handyman who helps her fix up the place. But when a new acting role comes knocking, can their relationship survive?
July 7, 2026 St. Martin’s Griffin
Dreading heading back to the classroom after a summer of sun? Let Rachel Lynn Solomon ease you back in with Extra-Curricular, the story of a former child star heading back to college and the newly divorced college professor that has to deal with the flurry of celebrity in his classroom.
July 14, 2026 Berkley
We can’t help but include one of the steamiest romances to hit the shelves this year and still be about Modern Orthodox people. Dahlia Adler’s Soon By You, featuring A Wedding Singer and the bridesmaid he just can’t get out of his head, is sure to grab your attention. Just be sure not to combust on the beach – this one is HOT.
May 19, 2026 St. Martin’s Griffin
