The end of May means the beginning of summer (which officially starts on June 21 but who's counting), so that means it’s time to break out the bug spray, grill, and sunscreen.

It’s also time to figure out what your next pool or beach read is, so we’ve compiled five recently released summer reads by authors with ties to San Jose to get you started.

We’re ~feline~ good about these reading recommendations. | Photo via @recyclebookstore

🗺️ "Secret San Jose: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure" by Cassie Kifer

Enjoy this part tour + part scavenger hunt filled with fascinating stories that define San Jose’s history.

🛳️ "Luck of the Titanic" by Stacey Lee

Follow the story of Valora + Jamie Luck, who are twin British-Chinese acrobats traveling aboard the Titanic in search of lives as circus performers outside of England.

✊ "We Can: Portraits of Power" by Tyler Gordon

As the 15-year-old painter of the LeBron James portrait for the cover of Time Magazine, Tyler has published his collection of paintings that feature entertainment stars, sports figures, art, and politics.

🕶️ "Dark Horse: An Orphan X Novel" by Gregg Hurwitz

Evan Smoak is a man with a complicated past, tying back to his days as the government’s Orphan X assassin. Once he breaks free from the government, he begins helping the most desperate people stuck in troubling situations.

❤️ "Love & Other Natural Disasters" by Misa Sugiura

Nozomi Nagai has been asked by Willow — a gorgeous, glamorous, and heartbroken woman — to pose as her new girlfriend to make her ex jealous. Nozomi takes up the position as a partner, only to find a chance at unplanned + unexpected love.

Need more recommendations? Stop by the Recycle Bookstore, Kinokuniya San José, or any San Jose Public Library branch to get expert advice from our local book stops. 📚