Whenever and wherever you’re reading this summer—from vacation road trips and afternoons spent poolside, to sunny commutes and eating lunch outdoors, June has several great books to choose from. (And don’t forget to sign up for Summer Reading! All ages just have to read for 30 days to win fun prizes and benefit the Animal Welfare League of Arlington!)
Fiction
The Disaster Gay Detective Agency by Lev AC Rosen
An ill-advised one-night stand leads to a hotel concierge and his friends witnessing a murder, setting off a madcap investigation. Did Brandon sleep with a murderer? With each of the four friends taking turns narrating, this mystery-thriller relies heavily on the humor and great characters as they try to solve the mystery while exploring found family, identity, and the messiness of life in your early 20s. Available June 2. Library catalog link here.
Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See
In the 1870s, Los Angeles was still a small city. Of its 180 Chinese residents, only 30 are women. See’s latest focuses on the unlikely friendship between three of them: Dove, who is married to a much older man, Pearl, who was sold to a brothel, and Moon, who is happily married but still powerless. The three are bound together by the terrifying violence of the real-life anti-Chinese massacre of 1871, and it is together that they will survive and find their own freedom. Available June 9. Library catalog link here.
The Butler by Clare Mackintosh
Professional butler Baxter has been hired to work at a lavish party in the south of France. Billionaire Alec is hosting a birthday party for his 21-year old son and the guest list includes the son and his girlfriend, Alec’s ex-wife, and his (much younger) girlfriend (who was not told ahead of time the ex was coming) and some friends. Everyone wants money from Alec, and Baxter is keeping his eye on all the juicy drama. But when Alec’s body is found at the bottom of the pool, Baxter turns his observation skills from meeting the needs of the party’s guests to finding the killer. This delightful homage to Christie’s detectives is full of rich atmosphere, surprise twists, and a wonderful new detective in Baxter. Available June 16. Library catalog link here.
Founding Fathers by Meg Elison
In an attempt to return America to its “original glory” a group of billionaires decide to clone four founding fathers and raise them in isolation as if it were the mid-1700s and eventually reintegrate them into society. But when their caretaker accidentally leaves her smart phone in the privy and it’s discovered by a teenage Ben Franklin, he takes it to his brothers (Thomas, John, and George) and they start to question everything they thought they knew. This madcap and biting satire of American politics and technology will have readers laughing out loud through some uncomfortable truths. Available June 23. Library catalog link here.
Nonfiction
The Wreck of the Mentor: A True Story of Death, Despair, and Deliverance in the Age of Sail by Eric Jay Dolin
In 1832, an American whaling ship struck a coral reef in the South Pacific. In 1836, seven survivors finally returned home. Their harrowing story of survival against the elements and multiple Indigenous tribes is brought to new life in Dolin’s gripping narrative. Not just relying on the memoirs and testimonials of the survivors, he adds vital context about whaling and its impact on Indigenous life in the South Pacific. He strips away a century of embellishment to tell a page-turning adventure and uses it as a lens to examine the effects of whaling and exploration. Available June 2. Library catalog link here.
Sidewalk Nation: The Life and Law of America’s Most Overlooked Resource by Michael Pollack
Often overlooked, Pollack makes the case for the importance of sidewalks in determining a community’s strength. From commerce to free speech, climate resilience to public health, sidewalks play an outsized role but receive very little funding or notice. Basic questions such as who owns the sidewalks and who is responsible for maintenance and upkeep varies by municipality. Looking at over a dozen cities and towns in the US, Pollack explores what’s working and what isn’t in this vital everyday resource. Available June 2. Library catalog link here.
Decoding the Devil: Black Women Codebreakers and the Secret War Against Stalin’s Bomb by Sarah Valentine
Tucked away at Arlington Hall, and later Fort Meade, the Traffic Processing Division sorted through and decoded foreign intelligence during WWII and the Cold War. This segregated office was staffed by Black people, mostly women, and was poorly ventilated, under-resourced, and over-worked. In the face of racism and sexism, the contributions made by these cryptologists were invaluable to America’s security. This thrilling history shines a spotlight on this long-overlooked chapter of Cold War intelligence history. Available June 2. Library catalog link here.
Crossroads: a Memoir in Baseball and Life by Dusty Baker
Legendary manager Dusty Baker has had a long and remarkable career in baseball. He signed with the Braves in 1968 and won the World Series with the Dodgers in 1981. After retiring from play, he went on to manage the Giants, Cubs, Reds, Nationals, and was managing the Astros when they won the Series in 2022. His new memoir explores his life and the people he’s met, including being mentored by Hank Aaron his rookie season and sharing a joint with Jimi Hendrix after running into him on the streets of San Francisco. Showcasing his curiosity in life and deep interest in other people, it’s a pleasurable look at a long and full life on and off the field. Available June 9. Library catalog link here.
Middle Grade
Lydia Cooper is a Lie by Meaghan McIsaac
Tired of her over-protective father’s complete ban on social media, Lydia finds a way around her tablet’s parental controls, makes a secret account and starts posting. No longer left out of group chats and plans, Lydia’s having fun and making new friends. But then someone breaks into their house, forcing Lydia and her father on the run. When they get separated, Lydia doesn’t know who to trust as she starts to unravel her father’s secrets and learns that everything she thought she knew, even her own name, is a lie. Full of page-turning twists and turns, this action-packed thriller will have readers on the edge of their seats. Available June 30. Library catalog link here.
Young Adult
13 Little Love Stories: An Anthology Inspired by Taylor Swift
From first dances to revenge, slow burns to swoony crushes, this anthology encompasses a wide range of relationships and feelings, all inspired by a different Taylor Swift song. 13 teen authors, including Julie Murphy, Elise Bryant, and Jesse Q. Sutanto offer their takes on “Cruel Summer,” “Love Story,” “The Tortured Poets Department” and more. Full of Easter eggs, Swifties won’t want to miss this one. Available June 30. Library catalog link here.
Jennie Rothschild is a collection engagement librarian for Arlington Public Library.