Now is the time to get excited for your summer vacation. Whether you are traveling or planning a staycation, you will (of course) need a good book to make the break from your usual work routine more interesting. We asked Maine book sellers to share what they think are going to be hot titles with Maine readers this summer and every one of them mentioned their top pre-order is the title recently unearthed by Pulitzer-prize winning author Harper Lee, “Go Set a Watchman: A Novel.” Written before “To Kill a Mockingbird,” it includes many characters from that classic. The release date is July 14 and the buzz is huge. All the stores also agreed that early sales and interest in the non-fiction title “The Negotiator: A Memoir” by George Mitchell will ensure it will fly from the shelves all summer.
Stephen King’s new title, “Finders Keepers” arriving at book stores on June 2. See Mike Berry’s review to whet your appetite.
Paul Doiron’s latest installment of his MIke Bowditch series, “The Precipice” is slated for release on June 16 and book sellers have loyal fans eagerly awaiting this release.
Here is only a sampling of some other book seller picks anticipated to be popular with Maine readers – young and old – this summer.
“Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End” by Atul Gawande draws customers to buy a copy for themselves because they’ve heard about it, and then return to buy multiple copies to give as gifts. This book flies off the shelves.”
– Nancy Hauswald at Left Bank Books in Belfast
“The Oregon Trail” Rinker Buck. Release date: June 30
This is an epic account of travelin the entire 2,000-miles of the Oregon Trail in a covered wagon with a team of mules.
– Gary Lawless, Gulf of Maine Books
“The Boys Who Challenged Hitler” by Phil Hoose
“Another important book from Portland’s National Book award winning author.”
– Chris Bowe, Longfellow Books, Portland
“In The Unlikely Event” by Judy Blume. Release date: June 2
“A new Judy Blume for all the grown-ups who grew up reading her books.”
– Chris Bowe, Longfellow Books, Portland
“Handful of Stars” by Cynthia Lord
“Lord explores a friendship between a small-town girl and the daughter of migrant workers in the blueberry barrens of Maine. Kids love Cynthia Lord!”
– Jonathan Platt at Nonesuch Books & Cards in South Portland
“P.S. I Still Love You” by Jenny Han
“Young adult writers are probably today’s the most innovative writers. Many YA books are crossing over to adult readers, and authors have very loyal fans. “P.S. I Still Love You” by Jenny Han is the sequel featuring Lara Jean from the New York Times bestseller, ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.'”
– Jonathan Platt at Nonesuch Books & Cards in South Portland
“The Truth According to Us: A Novel” by Annie Barrows. Release date: June 9
“Readers will fall in love with this big-hearted Southern family and the city girl who gets tangled up in it while writing about their town’s history. Set in a blazing summer of 1938, the author who first brought us “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” has totally won me over again with this immensely enjoyable read.”
– Nicole Olivier at Maine Coast Book Shop
“All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr.
“The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a blind Parisian girl and an orphaned German boy whose paths cross during World War II. A book whose characters stay with you for a long, long time.”
– Nancy Hauswald at Left Bank Books in Belfast
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