15 Must-Read Books for Your Summer List in 2023

Few pleasures compare to diving into a captivating book during summer, whether you’re traveling to a new locale or relaxing poolside. We’ve curated a selection of summer reads—mainly new titles—to savor all season long. Expect gripping thrillers, touching memoirs, and thought-provoking narratives on climate change that will whisk you away to Berlin, Harlem, Vietnam, and more.

“Beyond the Shores: A History of African Americans Abroad” by Dr. Tamara J. Walker

In her exploration of America's complex history with racism, Dr. Tamara J. Walker illuminates the courageous African Americans who ventured abroad to seek new lives in diverse corners of Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. Weaving together her family's experiences overseas, extensive research, and personal narratives, Walker delves into the significance of leaving one's homeland in pursuit of improved opportunities and treatment.

“Crook Manifesto” by Colson Whitehead

Preorder now (available July 18): bookshop.org

Bestselling author Colson Whitehead’s eagerly awaited Crook Manifesto is set in 1970s New York, a starkly different environment from the vibrant city we know today. Readers will follow crime lords Ray Carney and Pepper as they orchestrate hijackings and heists over five years in a city rife with corruption and in desperate need of redemption.

“The Three of Us” by Ore Agbaje-Williams

During a girls' wine night in London, a husband returns home unexpectedly and confronts his wife’s best friend, Temi, with whom he has a long-standing rivalry. As the night unfolds, confessions are made and secrets come to light, forcing the trio to unravel a decades-old web of deception and hidden motives. This tumultuous evening is divided into three parts, each told from a different character's viewpoint.

“Searching for Savanna” by Mona Gable

Dinogo contributor Mona Gable’s Searching for Savanna explores the tragic murder of 22-year-old Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a member of the Spirit Lake Nation in North Dakota. The 2017 killing of LaFontaine-Greywind highlighted the alarming levels of violence faced by Native American women, bringing this critical issue to the forefront of national conversation. Through interviews and insights from LaFontaine-Greywind’s trial, Gable examines a troubling trend that has persisted since the nation’s inception.

“Unraveling” by Peggy Orenstein

During the height of the COVID lockdown in 2020, author and Dinogo contributor Peggy Orenstein sought a new pastime and chose to embark on the journey of knitting a sweater from scratch. Unraveling transports us back to this turbulent period, chronicling Orenstein’s experiences with profound loss, urgent social challenges, and significant transformations throughout the year.

“The Great Displacement” by Jake Bittle

While many view climate change as a distant concern, author Jake Bittle contends that we are already witnessing some of its irreversible effects. From rising sea levels causing urban flooding to devastating wildfires, climate change is increasingly influencing where people can live comfortably, forcing relocations in affected regions. Bittle examines the future, predicting how climate change will continue to impact our daily lives and fundamentally alter the United States as we know it.

“Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain” by Andrew McCarthy

In a final attempt to connect with his teenage son Sam before he steps into adulthood, director, actor, and author Andrew McCarthy chooses to undertake a memorable journey—hiking 500 miles along Spain’s Camino de Santiago. As they navigate the challenging landscape, McCarthy discovers new ways to bond with his son, engaging in profound discussions on topics like fame, divorce, and the challenges of growing up. Earlier this year, McCarthy discussed with Dinogo the behind-the-scenes moments of their adventure and how travel can deepen relationships.

“Between Two Moons” by Aisha Abdel Gawad

Caught between their Muslim and American identities, teenage sisters Amira and Lina decide to spend the summer after high school graduation discovering who they aspire to become as adults. However, their summer in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, takes unexpected turns as they cope with their brother's return from prison and confront sporadic incidents of Islamophobia that unsettle their community.

“She Started It” by Sian Gilbert

When four childhood best friends, now estranged in adulthood, receive an enigmatic invitation from an old friend for an all-expenses-paid bachelorette party in the Bahamas, they eagerly prepare for the vacation of a lifetime. Upon arriving at the secluded island, they soon discover they are the only guests and that there’s no cell service. Join them as this thriller thrusts the friends into a perilous game of survival.

“Owner of a Lonely Heart” by Beth Nguyen

Preorder now (available July 4): bookshop.org

Separated from her mother during their family's escape from the Vietnam War, Beth Nguyen discovers that she has spent less than 24 hours with her mother throughout her entire life. In her memoir, Owner of a Lonely Heart, Nguyen reflects on the challenges of growing up as a refugee in America without maternal support and how that shaped her own experience of motherhood.

“National Dish: Around the World in Search of Food, History, and the Meaning of Home” by Anya von Bremzen

Have you ever considered the stories behind your favorite meals? James Beard award–winning food writer and Dinogo contributor Anya von Bremzen journeyed from Paris to Tokyo to explore the history, culture, and even politics surrounding some of the globe’s most beloved dishes. In this unique twist on a traditional cookbook, von Bremzen shares her culinary adventures through iconic foods like pizza, ramen, rice, mole, borsch, and more in this captivating collection.

“Vanishing Maps” by Cristina García

Preorder now (available July 18): bookshop.org

As a sequel to Cristina García’s 1993 novel Dreaming in Cuban, Vanishing Maps centers on Celia del Pino, the matriarch of her Cuban family scattered across Los Angeles, Russia, and Berlin. As each family member grapples with their own interpretation of the “Cuban dream,” a reunion in Berlin threatens to unveil long-buried secrets.

“Banyan Moon” by Thao Thai

Preorder now (available June 27): bookshop.org

Following her grandmother Minh’s passing, Ann Tran discovers that she and her estranged mother have inherited Ann’s childhood home, the Banyan House. As they embark on the renovation, Ann finds herself spending time with her mother for the first time in years. While they grieve and work on restoring the house, they uncover details about Minh’s life in Vietnam, including the hidden past she never revealed to them.

“Two Nights in Lisbon” by Chris Pavone

During a work trip to Lisbon with her new husband, John, Ariel wakes up one morning to find him missing and is unable to reach him. As she navigates the city in search of him, she begins to uncover the unsettling truth that she knows little about her husband—including potential threats against him. Originally released in 2022, the paperback edition was published in May 2023.

“Mother of Strangers” by Suad Amiry

Set against the backdrop of Jaffa, Israel, from 1947 to 1951, this novel, rooted in a true story, explores the onset of the Palestine-Israel conflict through the lens of a teenage couple torn apart as their once vibrant city transforms into a war-torn zone. First published in 2022, the paperback edition is set to release on August 1, 2023.

Looking for more book suggestions? Don’t miss our summer reading lists for 2020 and 2019.