06/02/2026
The first day of summer may still be a few weeks away, but with school wrapping up and temperatures already climbing, it's the perfect time to build your summer reading list! 📚☀️
The St. Louis Library has just released some great summer reading recommendations. Whether you're headed to the pool, the beach, or just your backyard with a glass of iced tea, there's no better time to discover your next favorite book.
What's on your summer reading list?
FICTION
“Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke, 2026
“Behind the scenes, Natalie, a tradwife influencer, relies on a team of nannies, producers and farmhands to maintain her image for millions of followers. However, her life takes a surreal turn when she awakens to find her family and home fundamentally altered. Why? Because she has been transported back to the year 1855.”
“A Parade of Horribles” by Matt Dinniman, 2026
“The ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ books are the most entertaining dystopian works I’ve read in recent years, and Princess Donut is and will forever be my hero. Book 8 is arguably the best book of the series.”
“Get Over It, April Evans” by Ashley Herring Blake, 2026
“A charming enemies-to-lovers tale that follows two women navigating the complexities of second chances at romance. Naturally, there are plenty of steamy moments to enjoy.”
“For Human Use” by Sarah G. Pierce, 2026
“It feels impossible to omit a book that’s brilliantly bizarre, hilarious and essentially a story about Tinder for dead bodies. This debut jolted me out of a reading slump.”
“Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It” by Brooke Averick, 2026
“In a story that is just as much about mental health as it is about love, Phoebe, a soon-to-be-30-year-old virgin, creates a checklist to help her finally 'lose it.'”
“Dear Debbie” by Freida McFadden, 2026
“A former advice columnist turned vigilante settles the score with everyone who’s ever wronged her. A guilty pleasure, indeed.”
“American Fantasy” by Emma Straub, 2026
“Newly divorced empty-nester Annie goes on a nostalgic 1990s boyband cruise and reconnects with her youth in unexpected ways. This book is a humorous and wise reflection on starting over in middle age.”
“Bromantasy” by Máire Roche, 2026
“A charmingly chaotic and cozy q***r romantasy that is humorous and heartwarming. This slow burn, best-friends-to-lovers romance is a fun adventure.”
NONFICTION
“A Killing in Cannabis: A True Story of Love, Murder and California Weed” by Scott Eden, 2026
“True crime doesn’t get any better than this. A truly exhilarating story about California’s cannabis industry.”
“Aprons Away: Women’s Work on Route 66” by Cheryl Eichar Jett, 2026
“As we celebrate the centennial of Route 66 this summer, it is wonderful to have a book that pays tribute to the women who shaped its culture and roadside environment, highlighting both their visible and behind-the-scenes contributions.”
“Matt’s St. Louis Food Story” by Matt Sorrell, 2025
“St. Louis food is the best in the country — period. Matt highlights local gems, from restaurants, bars and shops to the city's top purveyors.”
FICTION
“Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke, 2026
“Behind the scenes, Natalie, a tradwife influencer, relies on a team of nannies, producers and farmhands to maintain her image for millions of followers. However, her life takes a surreal turn when she awakens to find her family and home fundamentally altered. Why? Because she has been transported back to the year 1855.”
“A Parade of Horribles” by Matt Dinniman, 2026
“The ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ books are the most entertaining dystopian works I’ve read in recent years, and Princess Donut is and will forever be my hero. Book 8 is arguably the best book of the series.”
“Get Over It, April Evans” by Ashley Herring Blake, 2026
“A charming enemies-to-lovers tale that follows two women navigating the complexities of second chances at romance. Naturally, there are plenty of steamy moments to enjoy.”
“For Human Use” by Sarah G. Pierce, 2026
“It feels impossible to omit a book that’s brilliantly bizarre, hilarious and essentially a story about Tinder for dead bodies. This debut jolted me out of a reading slump.”
“Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It” by Brooke Averick, 2026
“In a story that is just as much about mental health as it is about love, Phoebe, a soon-to-be-30-year-old virgin, creates a checklist to help her finally 'lose it.'”
“Dear Debbie” by Freida McFadden, 2026
“A former advice columnist turned vigilante settles the score with everyone who’s ever wronged her. A guilty pleasure, indeed.”
“American Fantasy” by Emma Straub, 2026
“Newly divorced empty-nester Annie goes on a nostalgic 1990s boyband cruise and reconnects with her youth in unexpected ways. This book is a humorous and wise reflection on starting over in middle age.”
“Bromantasy” by Máire Roche, 2026
“A charmingly chaotic and cozy q***r romantasy that is humorous and heartwarming. This slow burn, best-friends-to-lovers romance is a fun adventure.”
NONFICTION
“A Killing in Cannabis: A True Story of Love, Murder and California Weed” by Scott Eden, 2026
“True crime doesn’t get any better than this. A truly exhilarating story about California’s cannabis industry.”
“Aprons Away: Women’s Work on Route 66” by Cheryl Eichar Jett, 2026
“As we celebrate the centennial of Route 66 this summer, it is wonderful to have a book that pays tribute to the women who shaped its culture and roadside environment, highlighting both their visible and behind-the-scenes contributions.”
“Matt’s St. Louis Food Story” by Matt Sorrell, 2025
“St. Louis food is the best in the country — period. Matt highlights local gems, from restaurants, bars and shops to the city's top purveyors.”
“Take Me to Your Leader: Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter” by Neil deGrasse Tyson, 2026
“America’s favorite astrophysicist examines aliens portrayed through popular culture, film and literature, and he applies the universal laws of physics to determine whether or not they could actually exist. He then details how aliens could actually travel the universe to reach us and provides some etiquette tips on how to greet them.”
“AC Barbeque: The Husky and Handsome Guide to Grilling” by Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer, 2026
“Travel from Los Angeles to the Carolinas, and everywhere in between, to get regional takes on classic barbeque dishes. For each locale, Cedric and Anthony include a handful of local favorites to check out, including Kenrick’s Meats and Pappy’s Smokehouse here in St. Louis.”
“99 Ways to Die: And How to Avoid Them” by Ashely Alker, 2026
“As an ER doctor, Dr. Alker is the expert at evading death, and she wants to share her knowledge with the rest of us. Each chapter highlights a different threat — from poison to animals and more — and how to avoid dying from that threat. The result is equal parts darkly humorous and informative.”
“Pests and Other Friends: Discover the True Nature of the Most Maligned Animals” by Halsey Berryman, 2026
“While racoons, opossums and prairie dogs might seem like pests, they are actually crucial to the health of our ecosystem. This beautifully illustrated book highlights over 60 maligned creatures and teaches us how they are actually beneficial.”
“St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is produced by Miya Norfleet, Emily Woodbury, Danny Wicentowski, Elaine Cha and Alex Heuer. Layla Halilbasic is our production assistant. The audio engineer is Aaron Doerr.
