A peaceful dock overlooking a calm blue sea with a small boat anchored nearby and distant land on the horizon under a clear sky.

Beating the Bookish Summertime Blues

Fun, fresh books to fall in love with this summer.

There’s nothing like the right book to turn a good summer into a great one. Whether you’re craving big feelings, wild twists, magical escapes, or just a story that makes you smile, this lineup has you covered. These picks are bursting with energy, heart, and everything we love about getting lost in a great read. So grab your sunnies, find your favorite spot, and get ready—your next bookish happy place is waiting.

Lead It Like Lasso by Marnie Stockman & Nick Coniglio

A fresh, feel-good take on leadership, this book channels the heart of Ted Lasso to show that true leadership isn’t about titles or trophies—it’s about helping others grow. With tools to define your values, build better communication, and create a personal roadmap for success, it’s packed with practical wisdom you can use at work, at home, or anywhere you lead.

Walking the Dusk by Mike Robinson

A haunting blend of cosmic horror and emotional depth, this genre-bending novel follows a physics professor drawn back into the supernatural mystery that shattered his childhood. As memories resurface and reality bends, he must navigate eerie realms and face a predatory force to save his sister—and himself—from slipping away. 

The Powell Expeditions by Tim Piper 

Set in the untamed West of 1867, this gripping historical adventure follows Jubilee Walker as he joins a daring expedition down the Colorado River—facing wild terrain, deep personal choices, and a complicated love. Inspired by real-life explorer John Wesley Powell, it’s a story of grit, heart, and forging your own path.

Happily Ever NOW: (Not AFTER everything else is perfect) by Nanci Reed, MA

This inspiring read invites you to quiet your inner perfectionist and rediscover joy, clarity, and self-acceptance. Through personal stories and powerful self-reflection tools, it offers a gentle path to lasting change—one rooted in kindness, curiosity, and the freedom to be perfectly imperfect.

Life Rewritten by Carrie West

Blending the power of storytelling with fresh insights from positive psychology, this transformative read helps you break free from the patterns of your past. With heartfelt guidance and practical steps, it offers a clear path to understanding your inner narrative—and rewriting it into one of strength, clarity, and possibility.

vArIable: A Novel in the gAbrIel Series by Dr Chase Cunningham

In this high-stakes cyber thriller, a rogue AI with a god complex is out to erase humanity—using every piece of tech at its disposal. As the digital world burns, it’s up to Violet and her crew of scrappy geniuses to outsmart an enemy that thinks faster than they can blink.  Fast-paced, explosive, and terrifyingly timely.

Wrestling Through Adversity: Empowering Children, Teens, & Young Adults to Win in Life by Dr. Christine M. Silverstein

Grounded in decades of experience and research, this powerful book offers practical tools to help young people—and those who support them—build resilience, emotional strength, and mindful toughness. With techniques like self-hypnosis, mental rehearsal, and positive self-talk, it challenges outdated models of mental health care and empowers readers to overcome adversity and thrive.

Space Vault: The Seed Eclipse (Sci-Fi Galaxy series Book 2) by Jeremy Clift

In a future shaped by climate collapse and genetic warfare, one mother must protect her daughter from ruthless corporations, alien forces, and a brewing war on the Moon. High-stakes, emotionally charged, and packed with sci-fi intrigue, this gripping thriller asks: who truly owns life, and what are we willing to risk to protect it?

Saving KC by Grinnell Desjarlais

After war shatters his body and life, Kelly returns to a world that has moved on without him—until a chance meeting with a rising songstress changes everything. Spanning years and heartaches, this tender, powerful story explores the enduring pull of love, the scars of trauma, and the mysterious forces that bind us across time.

 
 

Forget the financial frenzy—this refreshing guide shows how a calm, mindful approach to money can lead to both wealth and well-being. Drawing on decades of experience, the author shares simple, steady strategies for building financial peace of mind and creating a life that feels as good as it looks on paper.

What’s Your Name?: How to write your name in Hangul without learning the Korean language by Albert Jung

Blending linguistic history with practical guidance, this award-winning guide teaches readers how to write names from any language using Han’gŭl, Korea’s uniquely scientific alphabet. With step-by-step tools and multilingual examples, it’s a thoughtful, accessible resource for honoring how names sound—because every name deserves to be heard, seen, and written right.

Henderson House by Caren Simpson McVicker

Set in 1940s Oklahoma, this warm, heartfelt novel follows two sisters navigating love, loss, and long-held secrets in a small-town boarding house. As new beginnings stir and old wounds resurface, the bonds of family and the hope of second chances take center stage in a story rich with charm, heartache, and gentle wisdom.

six to carry the casket and one to say the mass : reflections on life, identity, and moving forward by Bill Hulseman

Through sharp, honest, and often hilarious essays, this reflective collection explores how identity is shaped, challenged, and reimagined across family, culture, and time. With a post-2020 lens and a deeply personal voice, it’s a moving invitation to rethink the stories we inherit—and to choose who we become.

 

 

Set in 1950s Tennessee, this compelling two-book series follows Jessa, a runaway whose return home stirs long-buried tensions between the town’s Black and white communities. As her time away sharpens her view of injustice, Jessa finds the courage to speak hard truths—challenging the past, defending those she loves, and finding her place in a divided world.

20 Great International Cities Where You Can Immerse Yourself in History …and the Books That Make You Feel as if You Lived It! by Jackie Lapin, Historic-Traveler-in-Chief

More than just a travel guide, this immersive companion takes you through 20 of the world’s most iconic cities—blending rich history, curated book recommendations, and insider tips to help you explore like a true time traveler. Perfect for curious wanderers and story-loving adventurers alike. Currently available as a free download.

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