5 Captivating New Summer Reads to Escape Into This Season
Whether you’re kicking back at the lake, road-tripping through the Rockies, or chasing quiet moments in your own backyard, there’s nothing like getting lost in a great book. This summer brings a fresh lineup of stories that deliver humor, heart, adventure, and a dash of soul-searching. From van life misadventures and epic fantasy battles to heartfelt YA romance and empowering poetry, these five new releases promise to keep your pages turning. Here’s what should be on your summer reading list right now.
Jackie Khalilieh’s You Started It delivers a sharp, heartfelt YA rom-com set against the streets of Toronto.
When seventeen-year-old Jamie Taher-Foster’s perfect senior year plan unravels after a breakup, she strikes an unlikely fake dating deal with Axel Dahini — a laid-back TikTok dancer she has nothing in common with. What begins as a scheme to win back her ex soon turns into a surprising journey of self-discovery, friendship, and first love. Smart, witty, and refreshingly honest, this is a story for anyone who’s ever had to rewrite their own story.
Michal Snaerravn expands his epic fantasy series with The Chronicles of Hadúr: The Golems of Beithir.
Amnon returns as the Blood Wars ignite and the races clash for control of Hell’s Gate. Beithir, now backed by the full might of the Druid Council, must complete one final, ruthless task: eliminate the Demonblood, Amnon. Dark assassins, forbidden magic, and the wrath of the Dark Gods converge in this gripping second volume of the saga.
Nilam Patel’s Into Her Wild is a luminous lyric poetry collection exploring healing, grief, self-love, nature, and the enduring strength of femininity.
Rich with natural imagery and intimate reflection, these poems trace a journey through loss, identity, and rediscovery. Blending personal experience with universal themes, the collection offers a resonant and timeless meditation on womanhood, self-acceptance, and the wild beauty within. A moving read for those seeking solace, empowerment, and connection to the natural world.
Tony Cond’s Rigged is a witty and heartfelt memoir about one man’s decades-long relationship with his classic wooden sailboat, Rufus.
What starts as a restoration project turns into a life-shaping adventure as Rufus weaves herself into the identity of a family. Set across Ontario and British Columbia, this humorous and nostalgic story celebrates sailing, family bonds, and the unpredictable journeys that define a life well-lived. A thoroughly Canadian tale for readers of all ages, whether mariners or armchair adventurers.
Andrew Singer’s Now Is the Time is a hilarious, heartfelt van life memoir about trading convention for freedom on the open road.
Newly jobless and lovestruck, Singer and his partner Sarah convert a plumber’s van into a tiny home and set out on a 13,000-mile trek across the American West. Pest invasions, wildfire escapes, and relationship-testing mishaps meet breathtaking landscapes and unexpected wisdom in this story of minimalism, healing, and self-discovery. A funny, tender reminder to stop scrolling and start living.
Mixed Media Magazine 