Book Mail: A Roundup of the Book Mail I Received Last Week

The first week of June feels like the beginning of a summer romance, and this week’s book mail arrived with all the excitement of a perfectly timed plot twist. My TBR pile has grown into a sun-soaked stack of possibility, thanks to a delightful book haul filled with new book releases that practically beg to be read on porches, beaches, and lazy afternoons in the park. Each package carried thoughtful book recommendations, like little notes from fellow readers saying, this one’s going to stay with you. And somewhere among these pages, I’m certain, are a few of the best books of 2026—the kind that become forever favorites before summer is even over.

Where to Buy These Books:

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I want to note that I do not get paid to do these posts, I just love authors and the book industry. However, they do take time and energy to create. If you want to donate a few dollars to my coffee fund, which keeps this blog going, you can do so here: https://venmo.com/AshleyHasty or here: http://paypal.me/hastybooklist.

This Week’s Book Mail Includes:

A Thousand Cuts by Gregory Poirier — A high-octane thriller that follows disgraced CIA operative Max Starkey through the dangerous underworld of Southeast Asia where betrayal, stolen gold, and old enemies collide.
Gutted by Maida Korte — A heartfelt memoir about rebuilding a crumbling farmhouse—and rediscovering yourself—in the midst of unexpected change and quieter living.
Holloway by Elana K. Arnold — A haunting literary novel about grief, time, and healing as a young woman carrying her mother’s ashes finds herself stranded in a past she cannot explain.
Shards of Silence by Brian Lee Young — A powerful coming-of-age novel that explores generational trauma, identity, and Indigenous history through the bond between a Navajo teen and his great-grandmother.
A Botanist's Guide to Tradition and Treachery by Kate Khavari — Blends historical mystery and adventure as scientist Saffron Everleigh investigates murder and conspiracy aboard a perilous research expedition.
All I Want to do is Swim by Marilyn Singer — A joyful rhyming picture book that encourages children to embrace confidence and freedom in the water through playful animal comparisons.
The Little Prince Biodiversity by Corinne Delporte — Introduces young readers to ecosystems, animals, and environmental wonder through interactive learning inspired by the beloved Little Prince universe.
The Alchemical Imagination by Eliza Swann — Reimagines ancient alchemy as a modern creative practice, blending history, philosophy, and artistic inspiration into an accessible guide for contemporary readers.
John B. Peoples by Michael Cowan — A gripping literary thriller about a man chasing justice, healing, and redemption after being cheated out of a life-changing lottery fortune.
Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen — A Gothic thriller set in an Austrian castle hotel where a woman revisits her cousin’s murder and uncovers chilling new secrets hidden within her family’s past.
Sinister by Veronica Lancet — A dark academia gothic romance where ritualistic murders and centuries-old secrets draw an outsider into the dangerous orbit of a town’s most untouchable golden boy.
I'll See You in My Dreams by Larkin McPhee — A moving memoir about sibling love, creativity, dreams, and resilience in the face of an ALS diagnosis.
An Old Man's Darling by Deborah K. Shepherd — A candid memoir that revisits an unconventional love story shaped by age differences, religion, feminism, and enduring devotion.
Concrete Botany by Joey Santore — A raw and thought-provoking exploration of ecological destruction, invasive species, and the surprising resilience of plants in a human-altered world.
The Last Best Quest Ever by F.T. Lukens — A cozy YA romantasy about a fraudulent teen hero forced into one final dangerous quest alongside her charming royal rival.
The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline — Reimagines the astonishing true story of the sisters who married conjoined twins Eng and Chang Bunker in nineteenth-century America.
A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys — A haunting Prohibition-era novel where a rebellious heiress uncovers disturbing secrets hidden inside an exclusive Detroit arts retreat.
The Big Mouse Party by Anastasia Temborska — A lively seek-and-find picture book filled with playful mice, colorful chaos, and interactive fun for young readers.
What's That For? by Vanessa Bergeron — Celebrates childhood curiosity through a young girl’s imaginative questions about the everyday objects around her.
Jia Has a Dog Problem by Stephanie Ellen Sy — A sweet and funny picture book about overcoming fears and discovering unexpected friendship between a girl and a timid dog.
The Elephant and the Piano by Colette Hiller — Tells the remarkable true story of how music transformed the lives of rescued elephants in a Thai sanctuary.
My First Milestones: Ready for Bed — A charming board book that gently guides little ones through bedtime routines with simple steps and cozy illustrations.
Before I Knew I Loved You by Toshikazu Kawaguchi — Continues the beloved Before the Coffee Gets Cold series with four emotional stories about regret, healing, and second chances through time travel.
Your Presence Is a Danger to Your Life by Samar Yazbek — Shares devastating yet deeply human firsthand accounts from Palestinians living through the aftermath of October 7, 2023.
Fate by Zeruya Shalev — A layered and emotional novel about buried family secrets, love, and the lingering consequences of Israel’s earliest years.
A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie — Brings Abigail Adams vividly to life as a fiercely intelligent woman shaping the future of a new nation behind the scenes.
Royal Summer by Kass Morgan — A charming royal romance about an aspiring writer whose Scottish summer internship unexpectedly leads her into the orbit of a rebellious prince.
Sparks Fly by Hazel Henry — A nostalgic summer YA romance filled with friendship, first love, and emotional complications by the lake.
Maggie's Big Break by Jennifer Dickinson — An inspiring middle grade novel about a theater-loving girl with a stutter finding the courage to chase her dreams.
Broken Truths by Alessandro Robecchi — Intertwines murder, filmmaking, and fascist history in a suspenseful literary thriller set in Milan.
My Brilliant AI Boyfriend by Stella Hayward — A witty romantic comedy where a scientist’s AI creation becomes unexpectedly—and inconveniently—human.
The Next Wife by Liz Lawler — A chilling domestic thriller about a newlywed woman who begins to suspect her perfect husband is hiding terrifying secrets.
The Last Days of Summer by Sarra Manning — A heartfelt enemies-to-lovers romcom about old grudges, fake dating, and second chances during one unforgettable seaside weekend.
The Phone Swap by Lia Louis — A modern romantic comedy where an accidental phone exchange sparks an unexpected connection between a scientist and a movie star.
The Wash-Ashores by Hannah McKinnon — A warm Cape Cod summer novel about family legacy, second chances, and saving a beloved seaside inn.
The Inklings Detective Agency by John R. Kelly — Imagines literary legends like Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Agatha Christie teaming up to solve murders in 1930s Oxford.
Missed Connections by Aimie K. Runyan — Follows a Michelin-obsessed restaurateur who gets the rare chance to revisit the pivotal choices that shaped her life.
Both Can Be True by Jessica Guerrieri — An emotionally layered novel about estranged sisters confronting addiction, trauma, motherhood, and the disappearance of a local woman.
Eyes, Knees, Boundaries, Please! by Dr. Krupa Bhojani Playforth — An empowering and age-appropriate picture book that teaches children about body safety, consent, and personal boundaries.