Weekly Update

June 5, 2026

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The First Tuesday of the Month

Until I started working on Bookreporter in 1996, I did not know that books came out on Tuesdays (except now for James Patterson books, which release on Mondays). Seriously, this fact evaded me.

I also did not realize that the first Tuesday of any given month was loaded with a lot of the titles coming out that month. This has become even crazier in the past few years as the number of monthly book clubs has grown, and they are announcing their latest picks at the start of the month. This now means that coverage during the first week of the month is packed with releases, and all reviews cannot run this first week.

If you follow our “On Sale This Week” newsletter, you see what is on sale each week. If you are not signed up for that, you can do so here.

Small factoid: Oprah started her eponymous book club about three weeks after we launched Bookreporter.com when we were known as The Book Report on AOL. Her first pick was THE DEEP END OF THE OCEAN by Jacquelyn Mitchard.

On Monday night, Annmarie Puleio and I went to see Ann Patchett at Symphony Space in New York City. We had purchased these tickets back in January. I think I have only gotten concert tickets that far in advance. We bought them early enough that we were in the front row. As we were walking towards Symphony Space, two women introduced themselves as Bookreporter readers. Above you can see me with Deborah (I hope the spelling is right) and Susan. We gave them bookmarks, which Annmarie wisely reminded me to bring along.

Amor Towles did a fabulous job interviewing Ann about her latest novel, WHISTLER. He clearly was prepared, which we really appreciated. Ann talked about everything from the characters in the book to the illustration on the cover (done by Noah Saterstrom, the same artist who did the cover for THE DUTCH HOUSE) and how that developed. Amusingly she asked Noah to show both eyes of the horse, and he noted that it was not possible as a horse’s eyes are on each side of its head.

Actress Becky Ann Baker, who is pictured above, did a wonderful job reading the book at the event and really brought the story to life. She is not the audiobook narrator (that would be Ann), but Ann was clearly wowed by her reading. We will have our review of WHISTLER next week.

My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Ruta Sepetys, whose new book, A FORTUNE OF SAND, is her first adult novel.

Set in 1920s Detroit during the Prohibition era, the story is centered on the wealthy Lennox automotive dynasty behaving badly and accumulating power. The youngest daughter, Marjorie, uncovers a web of family secrets. The book is rooted in deep historical research, and explores themes of power, impermanence, control, and the fragility of constructed legacies in Detroit during this time period.

Ruta discusses the control exerted over women during the era, often framed as “safeguarding” but functioning as suppression of creative and personal autonomy. She notes that the cover design --- Honolulu Blue and silver --- is a nod to Detroit. She also shares that the “Dear Coco” interstitial letters throughout were part of the original manuscript and come together meaningfully at the end.

Click here to watch the interview or here to listen to the podcast. Ruta and I have a longstanding professional relationship dating back to her debut YA novel, BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY, so I was thrilled to talk to her about this latest release.

Join Us for Our June “Bookaccino Live”
Book Preview Afternoon Event on Wednesday!

This is your last Weekly Update newsletter reminder to sign up for this month's “Bookaccino Live” book preview afternoon event, which will take place on Wednesday, June 10th at 2pm ET.

The focus will be on titles releasing between June 9th and June 30th, along with a few from the second half of July, plus August, that we think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up. Those who join us live will be asked to answer a survey about the books from the presentation that they are most interested in reading and will be eligible to win a prize.

Mary Kay Andrews, Queen of the Summer Read, is back with her first novel in two years. Pack your bags for a summer journey shaped by family secrets, long-buried history, and charming men with Irish accents. The story in ROAD TRIP is sure to entertain you for miles.

Pamela Kramer has our review and says, “Andrews writes novels about family and friendships. There also is some romance. ROAD TRIP has that trifecta in delightful shares…. There is a dog named Sinead who becomes an important part of the story. There are lambs frolicking in the Irish hills. There is beautiful weather (most of the time) and abundant fragrant gardens. There also is a bit of danger and lots of mystery. This combination results in a perfectly lovely novel that is the epitome of the summer read.”

A PAIR OF ACES is the third collaboration between Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, following THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN and THE FIRST LADIES. It also is Reese’s Book Club pick for June. The novel revolves around two trailblazing women on opposite sides of the law --- a prosecutor and a madam --- who team up to bring down notorious Mob boss Lucky Luciano in 1930s New York.

In her review, Rebecca Munro calls A PAIR OF ACES Benedict and Murray's “most gripping and shocking novel yet.” She goes on to say, “The book’s title, a smart nod to poker’s best starting hand, is apt. As Polly and Eunice prove, no matter how stacked the deck, there’s simply no beating a well-matched pair of aces. That description also applies to the dream team that is Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.”

Note that this book was scheduled to release later in the month, but was moved up when it became a Reese pick!

Maggie O’Farrell, the award-winning and bestselling author of HAMNET and THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT, is back with her highly anticipated new book. Set in Ireland in the years before and after the Great Hunger, LAND is a novel about separation and reunion, tragedy and recovery, colonization and rebellion.

Ray Palen has our review and says, “LAND has been called a story of survival, but I see it as a tale of faith, family strife and, above all, memory…. Maggie O’Farrell is a wondrous storyteller. Her words bristle with life, allowing readers to become fully absorbed in the reality she has created and the brilliant characters who inhabit it.”

A scandalous affair. A power struggle for the throne. A sensational rivalry between an English queen and an American social climber. In THE WINDSOR AFFAIR, Melanie Benjamin tells the story of the Abdication of Edward VIII --- and the two women at the center of it all.

According to Pamela Kramer in her review, “While neither of these women come off as particularly likable, what makes THE WINDSOR AFFAIR fascinating is the glimpse into a unique time in history and how two strong and determined females shaped it. Historical fiction fans will adore this book, and Benjamin's efforts to make it as historically accurate as possible is admirable.”

We also are featuring reviews of these two books:

ALAN OPTS OUT: In Courtney Maum’s timely and comedic take on ambition, consumerism and the sticker price of privilege, an ad exec who bombs the biggest pitch of his career decides to forgo capitalism and live off the land of his suburban Connecticut home.
CHECKMATE: Ben Mezrich’s latest book tells the cinematic true story of the biggest scandal in modern chess. With exclusive access to the central figures, Mezrich takes readers deep inside the weird, wild and cutthroat world of competitive chess.

Summer Reading Contest Update
We gave away the aforementioned ROAD TRIP and THE WINDSOR AFFAIR in this week’s Summer Reading contests. Next week’s prizes will be DAUGHTERS OF THE SUN AND MOON by Lisa See (an upcoming Bets On pick) and THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER by Karen White (which releases in paperback on Tuesday). These giveaways will be up at noon ET on Tuesday, June 9th and Thursday, June 11th.

June’s New in Paperback Roundups
Our New in Paperback roundups for June are now up. We’re featuring paperback fiction reprints from such bestselling authors as Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben (GONE BEFORE GOODBYE), Taylor Jenkins Reid (ATMOSPHERE), David Baldacci (STRANGERS IN TIME), Jennifer Weiner (THE GRIFFIN SISTERS’ GREATEST HITS), Shari Lapena (SHE DIDN’T SEE IT COMING), and Meg Waite Clayton (TYPEWRITER BEACH); nonfiction titles, including MARK TWAIN by Ron Chernow and A MARRIAGE AT SEA: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck by Sophie Elmhirst; and paperback originals like THE GIRL IN THE LAKE by Lauren Oliver and THE CHATEAU ON SUNSET by Natasha Lester.

Revisiting My “Bookreporter Talks To” Interview with Fiona Davis
Out in paperback this week is THE STOLEN QUEEN by Fiona Davis, a Bets On pick that transport readers from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back. I talked to Fiona about the book when it released in hardcover last January. So if you missed the interview or would like to check it out again, you can watch it here or listen to the podcast here.

Books on Screen Offerings for June
We’ve also updated our Books on Screen feature for this month. June’s roundup includes the series premieres of “I Will Find You” on Netflix, “Cape Fear” on Apple TV, and “Every Year After” on Prime Video; the season premieres of HBO's “House of the Dragon,” AMC's “The Vampire Lestat,” and Netflix's “Sweet Magnolias”; the conclusion of “The Terror: Devil in Silver” on AMC+ and Shudder; the season finale of The CW's “Sullivan's Crossing”; the midseason finale of “Rivals” on Hulu; the films Supergirl, The Get Out, Underland and In the Hand of Dante; and the DVD/Blu-ray release of Crime 101.

Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win the aforementioned A PAIR OF ACES by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray and WHISTLER by Ann Patchett in our Word of Mouth contest. Please do so by Friday, June 12th at noon ET.

Remember to Vote in Our Poll
With June being Audiobook Appreciation Month, our poll continues to ask if you listen to audiobooks and, if so, how. Click here to let us know by Friday, June 12th at noon ET.

Melissa Albert’s first adult novel, THE CHILDREN, is June’s “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick. The estranged adult children of a legendary author must contend with the vine-like creep of legacy, memory and magic. Jenna says, “Not since Donna Tartt’s THE SECRET HISTORY have I loved a book filled with such magic and mystery as I have Melissa Albert’s THE CHILDREN.” We plan to feature our review of the book in next week’s newsletter.

This month’s “Good Morning America” Book Club pick is DOLLY ALL THE TIME by Annabel Monaghan. A hardworking single mom returns to her seaside hometown and stumbles into a fake dating situationship with a wealthy, workaholic scion. “GMA” says, “Filled with witty banter, heartfelt moments and plenty of summer romance, DOLLY ALL THE TIME explores family, second chances and what it means to finally let someone in.”

VALLEY OF THE MOMS by debut novelist Hannah Selinger is June’s Barnes & Noble Book Club selection. “Stepford Wives” meets “Big Little Lies” in a gripping thriller that uncovers the untruths, petty grievances, and local school politics underneath a seemingly quaint small town. Told through the alternating perspectives of a wife and husband exactly one year apart, the publisher promises “a shocking concluding twist.”

For more June selections, including the Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, see our “Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks” feature here. Please note that the Oprah pick will be announced later this month.

Marjane Satrapi, who is best known for her autobiographical graphic novel PERSEPOLIS (along with the sequel, PERSEPOLIS 2), has passed away at the age of 56. Satrapi co-wrote and co-directed the animated feature film version of PERSEPOLIS, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. She also was the author of the graphic novels EMBROIDERIES, CHICKEN WITH PLUMS (which was adapted as a live-action comedy drama), and several children’s books.

News & Pop Culture

Reader Mail:

I got lots of notes from readers who understood my issues dealing with the post office.

Sherri wrote, “Your post office story was quite informative and interesting. I’ve been told that my friend in Maine who has lived at her house for 20 years does not live there. I went to another post office, and they mailed it to the address she lived at and she received it. I made a scarf for her, and they wanted $20 to mail it. So I sent her a picture and said it wasn’t worth $20, so she wasn’t getting it. It’s the thought that counts. I was most bemused by your story, though, and appreciate reading it. And, of course, all of your recommendations are a necessary part of my life. Thank you.”

Betty wrote, “You are not alone. I suspect many of your readers will be sharing post office woes. Here’s mine: I mailed important legal papers as 'certified mail' on April 21st. I tracked it from my local post office to Pasadena, California on May 10th. Then it went to Santa Clarita, California. Then back to Las Vegas, Nevada. It arrived at its destination on May 13th. When I checked the address on my local map, I discovered that I could’ve delivered it by hand in 20 minutes!!! Lesson learned.”

Andrea wrote, “Go to USPS and order your stamps online. I do it all the time, so I don’t run out and get frustrated for large mailings. Plus, they have every design --- whereas most physical post office locations don’t. I always love getting the newsletter!”

That is a GREAT idea. Our biggest issue was how much things WEIGHED. We have a scale here. The post office had two scales that each weighed differently. CRAZY!

We heard from three of the winners of our Women's Fiction Author Spotlight contest for THE LAKE HOUSE by Lori Foster.

Wanda (pictured above) wrote, “Thank you so much for this great book!!! I am so grateful to have won this contest and am so looking forward to reading it. It has been on my TBR list since I first heard about it! Thank you again, and I also want to share with you how much I enjoy the work you all do! I look forward every week to your updates and podcasts sharing authors and their work.

Jane wrote, “Thank you for THE LAKE HOUSE. The book showed up before I got the email. I was trying to figure out where it came from, and then a light bulb went off in my head. Then I received an email the next day saying it would be arriving soon. On another note, that experience with the post office and those stamps was sure frustrating. I would have lost my patience after it happened the second time. I'm glad it was finally resolved and the bookmarks finally got mailed.”

Suzanne (pictured above) wrote, “Thank you immensely for gifting me THE LAKE HOUSE. This is a very first win for me, and I am looking forward to reading a new author.”

Mary wrote, “Hi! I just finished THE RIVER IS WAITING, and I have tears in my eyes. What a wonderful story and author! I just downloaded SHE'S COME UNDONE. Thanks so much. I am looking forward to the next 'Bookacinno Live' event.”

Mo wrote (I am sure referencing our poll about audiobooks), “I fall asleep if I try to listen to a book or a podcast. I just cannot do it. I can read for hours and hours. I prefer it actually. I love your page. Thank you.”

Leslie wrote about winning YESTERYEAR and LAST ONE OUT in our Word of Mouth contest: “Wowee!! I can’t believe I won these two great books that are on my TBR list! Thanks so much for this wonderful surprise. I am looking forward to reading both on the beach this summer. I continue to enjoy the book reviews, the reading group guides, the author interviews, the Zooms with Carol about all the released books, and all the other book-centric activities you offer. Thanks for all you do to keep us reading!”

There was not much television watching this week beyond finishing up a few seasons of shows. The Knicks clearly took up some air time. I look forward to their games tonight and Monday night.

I think we have no weekend plans beyond continuing to set up for summer outside. I am moving plants around and trying not to buy more, after my third trip to the garden center last Saturday. Karyn, who helps me with all things in the garden, planted tons of zinnia seeds, besides the plants.

The peonies are just about spent. Husband Tom read that if I cut peonies when they feel like marshmallows, they can bloom in the house. This is better than when I bring the blooms in the house and the ants crawl out of them. The gardener who he was reading recommends shaking the flowers before they are brought into the house, so the ants are flicked off and do not end up on the counter. The ants are there “because the plant's buds secrete a sweet, sugary sap called nectar. The peony uses this nectar to attract the ants. In a classic example of biological mutualism, the ants get a reliable food source, and in return, they protect the peony buds from other harmful, flower-eating insects like thrips and aphids.” This was news to me.

Read on, and have a great week.

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

P.S. For those of you who shop online, if you use the store links that appear on our site for shopping, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop/IndieBound. As you read our reviews and features, we would appreciate your considering this as you buy!

Featured Review: ROAD TRIP by Mary Kay Andrews

ROAD TRIP by Mary Kay Andrews (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kathleen McInerney
Maeve and Therese Dunigan haven’t spoken in years. Raised under the same roof in Savannah, the two sisters could not be more opposite --- Maeve the rule follower, Therese the unapologetic rebel. But when their mother’s death pulls them back together, they inherit more than just grief: a mysterious painting that may be worth millions…if it’s real. Determined to uncover the truth --- and desperately in need of the money --- the sisters set out on a journey to Ireland, tracing their family’s roots and the origins of the portrait. What begins as a search for answers soon becomes something deeper --- a reckoning with the past, as they uncover secrets that span generations and reshape everything they thought they knew about their family. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.

- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to visit Mary Kay Andrews' website.