The end of May means the beginning of summer (which officially starts on Tues., 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 six recently released summer reads by authors with ties to Madison to get you started.

You're bound to love one of these

“When I'm Gone, Look for Me in the East” by Quan Barry | Twin brothers leave their monastery on a journey across Mongolia searching for the reincarnation of a great lama.
“Hello, Transcriber” by Hannah Morrissey | Police transcriber + aspiring novelist Hazel Greenlee discovers just how far she will go for a story in this mystery thriller.
“Shoulder Season” by Christina Clancy | This drama sizzler follows a young woman’s journey from Lake Geneva prairies to the whirlwind stardom of 1981 California.
“Madison Chefs” by Lindsay Christians and Chris Hynes | Part profile, part cookbook, this in-depth collection tells the stories of Madison’s local chefs + food scene. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of pictures.
“God, Human, Animal, Machine” by Meghan O'Gieblyn | The three-time Pushcart Prize winner explores humanity’s relationship with technology in this work of philosophy, criticism + memoir.
“Crossing the Pressure Line” by Laura Anne Bird | 12-year-old Clare Burch’s summer in the Wisconsin Northwoods helps her process the death of her grandfather in this story for readers ages 8-13.

Need more recommendations? Stop by A Room Of One’s Own, Leopold's, Paul’s, or Mystery to Me to get expert advice from Madison’s local booksellers. 📚