Hot books for summer: New Rowling, King, Trump bio
Thrills from Stephen King, laughs from Amy Schumer and wizardry from J.K. Rowling. USA TODAY's Jocelyn McClurg suggests 10 sizzling summer books to pack in your beach bag.
1. End of Watch by Stephen King (Scribner, fiction, on sale June 7)
What it’s about: Brady Hartsfield, aka the Mr. Mercedes killer, is back in the concluding volume of King’s best-selling noir trilogy starring gumshoe Bill Hodges.
Why it’s hot: USA TODAY’s Brian Truitt called Mr. Mercedes, the first book in the trilogy, a “masterpiece,” and gave its sequel, Finders Keepers, **** out of four stars.
King's 'Finders' is a definite keeper
2. I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan (Crown, fiction, on sale June 7)
What it’s about: The author of Waiting to Exhale and other hit books tells the story of Georgia Young, a San Francisco optometrist who decides to make amends with the men she’s loved.
Why it’s hot: “McMillan’s trademark style in full, feisty effect … a heartwarming story that reminds us of the pure joy of believing in love,” says Kirkus Reviews.
3. The Girls by Emma Cline (Random House, fiction, on sale June 14)
What it’s about: In 1969, a teenage girl is seduced into a dangerous cult by an older girl; fictionalized version of the Manson family.
Why it’s hot: This debut novel from a young author is one of the most hyped titles of the season, and a jacket blurb from Lena Dunham (HBO’s Girls) won’t hurt: “Emma Cline has an unparalleled eye for the intricacies of girlhood. …This book will break your heart and blow your mind.”
4. Barkskins by Annie Proulx (Scribner, fiction, on sale June 14)
What it’s about: At 736 pages, this centuries- and generations-spanning epic about the timber trade literally is one of the BIG literary events of the summer; by the author of The Shipping News.
Why it’s hot: “Exhilarating … a monumental achievement, one that will perhaps be remembered as her finest work,” says Publishers Weekly in a starred review.
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5. Before You Judge Me: The Triumph and Tragedy of Michael Jackson’s Last Days by Tavis Smiley and David Ritz (Little, Brown, non-fiction, on sale June 21)
What it’s about: Described by the publisher as a “deeply humanizing” look at the weeks leading up to Michael Jackson’s shocking death at age 50 in 2009.
Why it’s hot: The book is timed to the seventh anniversary of the controversial superstar’s death on June 25, during a year that already has seen several major losses in the music world.
6. The Land of Stories: An Author's Odyssey by Chris Colfer (Little, Brown, fiction, on sale July 12)
What it’s about: In the fifth book in a series for young readers, Alex and Conner race to put an end to the Masked Man’s reign of terror.
Why it’s hot: The young actor's tales about twins who are teleported into the world of fairy tales all have been best sellers, and Beyond the Kingdoms hit No. 10 on USA TODAY’s Best-Selling Books list last year.
7. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty (Flatiron, fiction, on sale July 26)
What it’s about: A barbecue in Sydney goes horribly wrong in this novel that may have readers reassessing their summer cookout plans.
Why it’s hot: Moriarty’s witty best seller Big Little Lies is being filmed for HBO with Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman co-producing and starring as “helicopter” kindergarten moms.
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8. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Parts One & Two by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne (Arthur A. Levine Books, fiction, on sale July 31)
What it’s about: In what’s being called the “eighth” Harry Potter tale, the boy wizard is now all grown up and has a young son, Albus, who struggles with the family legacy; this is the script for the two-part Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play, which opens in London’s West End on July 30.
Why it’s hot: Harry Potter returns!
9. The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer (Gallery Books, non-fiction, on sale Aug. 16)
What it’s about: In a book that sounds both funny and serious, the no-holds-barred star of Trainwreck and Inside Amy Schumer reflects on her “complicated relationships with her family and with men.”
Why it’s hot: Schumer received a reported $8 million paycheck for Girl; her publisher has high hopes she’ll join fellow female comedian/authors such as Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling and Chelsea Handler high on best-seller lists.
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10. Trump Revealed by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher (Scribner, non-fiction, on sale Aug. 23)
What it’s about: Washington Post investigative and political reporters take an in-depth look at Donald Trump in this biography, a late addition to the summer lineup.
Why it’s hot: What will be “revealed” about the presumptive Republican presidential nominee that we don’t already know? Stay tuned.