Great Summer Reads You Shouldn’t Miss

Summer calls for good books, but where to even start? This year’s list mixes local Chicago stories with gripping plots from around the country. Dawn Turner’s "Majestic Hills" dives into suburban tension when a Black family moves into a predominantly white neighborhood, showing how politeness can mask deeper issues. Meanwhile, Rowan Beaird’s "Tenderness" plays out on a remote island, where a bride’s family secrets might lead to danger—think cult vibes with a mystery twist.If thrillers are your thing, Teddy Wayne’s "The Au Pair" delivers a darkly funny tale full of twists involving a nanny and a hot tub incident. For a richer story, Colson Whitehead’s "Cool Machine" wraps up his Harlem Trilogy with a crime saga spanning generations. On a lighter note, Kathleen Rooney’s "Man Overboard! " starts as a joke before turning into a surprisingly deep reflection on life and luck. For those who love sports history, Randall Sullivan’s "The First All-Star Game" ties baseball to a real-life assassination attempt on FDR, showing how tragedy shaped America’s pastime. And if soccer fascinates you, Nick Greene’s "How To Watch Soccer like a Genius" connects the game to everything from science to pop culture in a fun, unexpected way.