June is finally here, which means Summer Library Club has started and you're probably working on packing lists for a trip! With so many great books to choose from, it can be tricky to pick the perfect one to take along and escape the real world. We’ve selected a few titles to help you dive into beach mode, even if you're not venturing far. We also suggest movie pairings, when you need to take a break in the air conditioning.
Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Go back in time to the height of rock 'n' roll to follow Daisy Jones on her ascent to stardom. Told through interviews and articles, this is the ultimate tell-all 'memoir' for a band that you’ll wish were real! Pair it with Almost Famous, the cinematic love letter to the 70s music scene or its soundtrack for perfect road trip music.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
A rom-com in book form, this heartwarming romance will make you laugh out loud. Olive thinks her bad luck, including a bout of food poisoning, is about to change when a free Hawaiian trip comes her way. The catch? She has to pretend to be married to her travel partner and, of course, they hate each other. After you finish this charming book, treat yourself to a movie rom-com; we suggest Overboard, but we’ll let you pick between the 1987 original and the 2018 remake.
Into the Jungle by Erica Ferencik
Ferencik’s latest book isn’t your standard thriller, but instead combines many of the elements that we love in an escapist read. A mixture of suspense, adventure, and self-discovery, this unique survival story puts you in the middle of the Bolivian jungle with Lily, the scrappy lead. If you're drawn to stories of personal struggle in extreme environments, also watch Reese Witherspoon in the movie adaptation of Wild. More interested in adventure in the jungle? Then we suggest Jumanji for a fun movie night; the library has both the original version with Robin Williams and the remake with Dwayne Johnson.
When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
The latest historical fiction by Cleeton (author of book club favorite Next Year in Havana) is a tumultuous tale of impossible love, revenge, and the CIA. Set in Palm Beach and Cuba during the Cold War era, this is an excellent choice for readers who appreciate a strong sense of time and place. For your next film night, grab Hitchhock’s Notorious, another compelling mix of espionage and romance. Or check out Hemingway & Gellhorn and follow a power couple from their early days in Florida through their turbulent world travels.
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Historical fantasy, Mayan mythology, and Jazz Age Mexico...if that doesn’t say escapist summer read, what does? Casiopea dreams of adventure and a life of her own, but probably doesn’t expect to get swept along on a journey across the country and deep into the underworld with the Mayan god of death. If you want to follow modern-day gods, check out the first season of American Gods. If you’re looking for a movie inspired by Mexican culture, watch The Book of Life or Coco.
Temper by Layne Fargo
This chilling new thriller won’t hit the shelves until early July, but we couldn’t resist its Chicago showbiz connection to our Summer Library Club theme, "It's Showtime." Struggling actress Kira finally lands a big role on the Chicago theater scene but she has no idea just how much drama is in store. With a volatile director, menacing theater management, and the blood-thirsty ambition of desperate actors, this is a psychological page-turner you won’t want to put down. Unwind after this heart-pounding read with the crowd-pleasing musical Chicago.
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