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 reads by authors with ties to Richmond + Virginia to get you started.

“The Tender Grave” by Sheri Reynolds | A 17-year old commits a hate crime and must run away to the sister she hasn’t spoken to in years.
“Femlandia” by Christina Dalcher | In the near future, the women-only colony Femlandia is thriving — but the society’s success comes at a dark cost.
“Lioness: A Novel” by Mark Powell | A bomb at a water-bottling plant in the mountains of southwest Virginia triggers one ex-husband’s journey to understand his wife’s death.
“LGBTQ Fiction and Poetry from Appalachia” by Jeff Mann + Julia Watts | A collection of published works from Appalachia’s queer writers.
“Going There” by Katie Couric | Legendary newscaster + UVA alum’s memoir about her forty years as a powerhouse woman in media.

Need more recommendations? Stop by Fountain Bookstore or Chop Suey Books to get expert advice from local booksellers. 📚