Summer’s upon us, and for bibliophiles that means itap time for a fresh story to dive into, whether we’re spending a day at the pool or jumping onto a plane for a bigger getaway. We sought out reads from 2016 that are as satisfying as a cool breeze on an August day — and some that might even make you feel smart about your beach read. Here are 10 books that fit that bill and span genres, from nonfiction to a Jane Austen retelling to fantasy young-adult novels.
Sweetbitter, by Stephanie Danler
Fiction | Restaurant drama
A breezy read that will leave your stomach rumbling, Stephanie Danler’s coming-of-age tale delves into the restaurant industry — but not the gauzy version that foodies idealize. Tess’ world is more Anthony Bourdain’s “Kitchen Confidential” than Julia Child — a lot of late nights, drugs, alcohol and questionable life choices as she learns the ropes of New York City’s restaurant world and life in general. You may even learn a little bit about wine in the process.
— Emilie Rusch, The Denver Post
Lab Girl, by Hope Jahren
Nonfiction | Memoir
A love of language from her mother and a passion for science from her father coalesce in Hope Jahren’s exceptionally engaging memoir of her journey from student to scientist. In Jahren’s hands, trees become the subjects of poetic musings and readers find themselves drawn into the study of plants exceeding all expectations. Without a doubt one of the best memoirs of 2016. If you liked 2015’s “H is for Hawk,” then you’re going to love “Lab Girl.”
— Mark Flanagan,
Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty, by Ramona Ausubel
Fiction | Family drama
If Netflix carried books, Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty would pop up under “because you read The Great Gatsby.” Ausubel’s story of class struggles, nuclear family warfare, battles over gender roles and romance (and lack thereof), all set during the 1970s, makes for a delicious read. The story centers around a family that got the silver spoon yanked out of their mouths and the fantastical, individual journeys that follow as they work through it all. Dreamy prose and a family tree of wacky characters — who are painted so vividly, it’s easy to imagine them sunbathing in Martha’s Vineyard right now — meld into an opulent summer read that hits the spot, even for those of us who can’t afford a top-of-the-line wedding dress to impress a giant on the day of our fake wedding at a senior center. (You’ll see.)
— Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post
The Most Perfect Thing: Inside (and Outside) a Bird’s Egg, by Tim Birkhead
Nonfiction | Ornithology
From the Bempton Cliffs of Britain, where Yorkshire “climmers” harvest the eggs of guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills, to the very center of the egg itself, renowned British ornithologist Tim Birkhead explores a world unfamiliar to most readers, though we daily sustain ourselves with its fruits. You’ll never look at your breakfast the same again.
— M.F.
Modern Lovers, by Emma Straub
Fiction | Family drama
The Gen-X members of college band Kitty’s Mustache are grown up, married and have kids of their own now — except for bandmate Lydia, who took their best song and ran off with it, turning it into a hit and herself into a rock icon who joined the fatal 27 club. Though Lydia’s gone, the past — and how did time fling them so quickly into middle age, anyway? — still lurks in the shadows for Elizabeth, Andrew and Zoe. And what better way to face the loss of you and your friends’ youth than to catch your teenagers hooking up? Thatap a story line you’ll see coming in “Modern Lovers,” but others surprises await in this warm, funny tale of coming of age all over again in Brooklyn.
— Jenn Fields, The Denver Post
Siddhartha’s Brain, by James Kingsland
Nonfiction | Mind science
James Kingsland, Guardian science editor, tells the modern story of the science of mindfulness in parallel with that of Siddhartha Gautama who — 400 years before the birth of Christ — abandoned a privileged life for a spiritual one. As one might expect, “Siddhartha’s Brain” takes a decidedly scientific approach to mindfulness practices that have been employed in battles against chronic pain, addiction, depression and more. Kingsland, who calls himself an atheist skeptic, weaves a compelling analysis of “the ancient science of enlightenment.”
— M.F.
Ways to Disappear, by Idra Novey
Fiction | Magical mystery
Emma, the American translator for Brazilian novelist Beatriz, learns that her dear author has gone missing. Adding to the mystery is the fact that Beatriz was last seen up a tree with suitcase and a cigar in hand. Grabbing the first plane out of town, Emma ditches her boring, frozen life in Pittsburgh and immerses herself in a situation thatap sketchy and steamy in more ways than one. Novey’s debut novel is quick and bright, despite the dark undertones, and the notes of magical realism lend it an extra level of escapism for your summer reading pleasure.
— J.F.
Signs of You, by Emily France
Fiction | Young adult
Local author Emily France’s fast-paced debut is the story of four Midwestern high school students who, while navigating the not inconsequential challenges of adolescence, come face to face with the spectral sightings of recently-deceased loved ones. Teen angst, unrequited love, road trips and an ancient diary belonging to a 16th-century Catholic saint all make an appearance in this ghostly Y.A. adventure. (Available in July 2016.)
— M.F.
Eligible, by Curtis Sittenfeld
Fiction | Austen Project
Purists and the prudish need not apply to this “Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice,” which places the Bennett family in a spider- and hoarder-infested Tudor in Cincinnati in 2013. Liz is a know-it-all journalist for a women’s magazine, and Jane is a trust-funded yoga teacher who falls for (gulp) a reality-TV star; the youngest Bennetts are obsessed with CrossFit; Darcy is a neurosurgeon. Modern indeed, and tons of fun, so long as you aren’t concerned with manners (or maybe you’ll love to hate “Eligible” if you are).
— J.F.
The Girl from Everywhere, by Heidi Heilig
Fiction | Young adult
Heralded as a teen fantasy for the “Outlander” set, Heidi Heilig’s debut novel is a lot more than that. There’s time travel, maritime adventure, intrigue, young love, not to mention vibrant locales as diverse as modern-day New York, 19th century Hawaii and ancient China. Don’t let the Y.A. tag dissuade you — 16-year-old Nix’s journey is one worth taking.
— E.R.
