I’ve got summer reading on the mind. Why? Because there are always so many incredible new releases to check out during the summer months. From June to September, all I want to do is lay outside and enjoy the sunshine with a good book. Lucky for me, there’s an almost endless supply of great new books to read! The historical fiction new releases for summer are particularly exciting, given how many of my favorite authors have new books coming out. If you’re a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, or Isabel Cañas, you’re in for a real treat. All three of these authors have new books coming out that sound absolutely incredible. Whether you’ve read their past work or not, you’re definitely going to want to check out their summer historical fiction releases.
But that’s not all! The best historical fiction this summer features some bestselling authors you know and love, yes, but also buzzy debuts and highly anticipated new releases. These six books are full to the brim with unforgettable characters, including aspiring astronauts, WWII veterans, and witches in academia. You can choose between straight historical fiction, historical fiction retellings, and historical fantasy, depending on what strikes your fancy. These new releases are going to be hot commodities this summer, so make sure to put your library holds in now!
Atmosphere: A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins ReidRelease date: June 3, 2025 I don’t know where you’ve been if you’re not familiar with Taylor Jenkins Reid and her historical fiction at this point, but it’s safe to say Atmosphere will be one of the best and biggest historical fiction books of the summer. Set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program, a physics professor pursues her childhood obsession with the stars all the way to NASA. |
The Great Mann by Kyra Davis LurieRelease date: June 10, 2025 Great Gatsby retellings have been all the rage since the novel came into the public domain in 2021, but I’ve never been this excited to read one before. Kyra Davis Lurie reimagines the classic American novel as a post-war story in burgeoning Los Angeles. There, a veteran discovers the dazzling world of West Adams Heights, where Black elite are able to build thriving lives and businesses. None are more successful or mesmerizing than James “Reaper” Mann. But there are plenty of people who will go to great and horrifying lengths to make sure Black people don’t succeed beyond their white neighbors. |
These Heathens by Mia McKenzieRelease date: June 17, 2025 From the author of Skye Falling comes a novel about just how much one weekend can change your life. Over the course of a weekend in 1960 Atlanta, a small-town teenager is introduced to scandalous life like she’s never seen it before. After turning to her favorite teacher for help getting an abortion, seventeen-year-old Doris Steel spends the weekend waiting to hear back from the doctor while exploring life in Atlanta. From celebrities to Civil Rights leaders, everyone Doris meets seems to know exactly who they are and what they want. Will one weekend be enough for Doris to figure out those questions for herself? Probably not. But at least it’s a start. |
Archive of Unknown Universes by Ruben Reyes Jr.Release date: July 1, 2025 Ruben Reyes Jr.’s debut novel explores how choices and fate shape our life stories. A couple in 2018 use a device that allows users to peek into alternate versions of their lives to fix their troubled relationship. What they find sends them on a journey from Cambridge to Havana and San Salvador to uncover how secrets from their families’ pasts have shaped their present. In 1978 Havana, two revolutionary young men forge an intense connection over the course of their work. But as the war in El Salvador intensifies, Rafael and Neto may be forced apart. |
The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-GarciaRelease date: July 15, 2025 I love all of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s books, but I’m so excited she’s returning to the world of historical fantasy horror. Three women from different eras encounter witches and disturbing magic. During her graduate studies, Minerva discovers that the author at the center of her research—famous horror writer Beatrice Tremblay—was inspired by the mysterious real-life disappearance of her roommate. As Minerva digs deeper, she realizes the stories about Beatrice mirror the stories her great-grandmother used to tell her about growing up in 1900s Mexico. Now, whatever haunted her great-grandmother and her favorite author seems to be coming for her. |
The Possession of Alba DÃaz by Isabel CañasRelease date: August 19, 2025 Between her last two books, The Hacienda and Vampires of El Nort, Isabel Cañas has cemented herself as a master of mixing historical fiction with supernatural horror elements. In The Possession of Alba DÃaz, a woman fleeing the plague in eighteenth-century Zacatecas discovers something even more horrifying in the mines owned by her wealthy fiancé. Her books have all the gothic atmosphere of a book that should be enjoyed in the fall, but believe me, her writing can be savored year-round. Want more books to fill out your summer reading plans? CJ Conner, author of Board to Death, has some more great recommendations for books to put on hold at your library this summer. Book Riot editor Erica Ezeifedi also offers up some book club beach reads to check out. |
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This week, we’re highlighting a post that asks: Are reading parties the next big thing? People—especially readers—are clearly looking for community. Are reading parties the answer? Read on for an excerpt and become an All Access member to unlock the full post.
Reading communities are everywhere online. From Storygraph to Fable to BookTube to BookTok, the growth of online reading buddies feels exponential. The problem with social media as it exists online, however, is that it’s a stand-in for the true connections we all seek over the things we love. As much as reading roundups and reading tracking can be fun, meeting up with in-person book lovers is a great book lover community event. With that in mind, reading parties could be the next big thing.
A reading party is distinct from a book club because everyone shows up to read instead of having read something to discuss. At a reading party, you can make time to discuss what you are reading, but it doesn’t all need to be the same book. It’s more of a reading vibe check than a book discussion.
Sign up to become an All Access member for only $6/month and then click here to read the full, unlocked article. Level up your reading life with All Access membership and explore a full library of exclusive bonus content, including must-reads, deep dives, and reading challenge recommendations.
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