Unboxing My Latest Book Haul
Book Mail: A Roundup of the Book Mail I Received Last Week
Early June has that sparkling, just-school’s-out kind of magic, and this week’s book mail made it feel even sweeter. My TBR pile has grown into a cheerful little tower of possibility, thanks to a sunny book haul packed with new book releases that seem made for iced coffee, open windows, and afternoons that stretch on forever. Each package arrived with thoughtful book recommendations, like friendly whispers from fellow readers who know exactly which stories belong in summer. And as I stack them beside my chair, I can’t help but think that somewhere in this pile are the best books of 2026—the kind that turn an ordinary season into one you never quite forget.
Where to Buy These Books:
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:
Grandma Loves Her Little Ones by Sandra Magsamen — A sweet and sentimental board book celebrating the unconditional love shared between grandmothers and their grandchildren.
Auntie Loves Little One by Sandra Magsamen — A heartfelt board book filled with rhyming adventures and loving reminders of the special bond between aunties and little ones.
The New Norm by Matthew J. Gilbert — A funny and relatable middle grade novel about internet fame, middle school chaos, and surviving life both online and off.
The New Norm: Pranks and Prejudice by Matthew J. Gilbert — Norm and his friends discover that viral pranks can spiral wildly out of control in this hilarious middle school sequel.
Strange Familiars by Keshe Chow — A whimsical dark academia romantasy where rival magical veterinary students must save London from dangerous magical surges—and their growing feelings for each other.
All You Need is Flights by Jen Ruiz — A heartfelt solo travel memoir about heartbreak, healing, and rediscovering yourself through adventure around the world.
Soccer Smarter For Kids by Andrew Latham — A motivating guide packed with advanced soccer drills, strategies, and leadership tips for young athletes ready to level up their game.
The Twin Stars and the Soccer Superstar by Kristine Rudolph — A heartfelt middle grade mystery about grief, soccer, and a girl determined to solve the disappearance of her town’s star player.
Lake Life by Tanya Boteju — A tender queer YA romance where fake dating, summer protests, and unresolved feelings complicate life at the lake.
A Botanist's Guide to Tradition and Treachery by Kate Khavari — Historical mystery and adventure collide when scientist Saffron Everleigh becomes the prime suspect aboard a dangerous research expedition.
I Turned My Mom into a Unicorn by Brenda Li — A laugh-out-loud picture book where one little giraffe learns that turning your mom into a unicorn may not be as magical as it sounds.
Two Lives with You by Lauren Ho — An emotional and bittersweet romance about a married couple who are granted the chance to see what life would have looked like had they never met.
Queer Saints by Antonio Pagliarulo — A fascinating blend of queer history, spirituality, and folk magic celebrating extraordinary LGBTQ+ figures through a mystical lens.
Dawn Before Darkness by Liz Lazarus — A chilling psychological thriller inspired by true events about stalking, manipulation, and one woman’s fight to protect her family.
The Final Chapter by C.B. Everett — A twisty literary thriller where a missing author’s final manuscript may contain the key to solving his disappearance.
Reap and Sow by Charlotte B. Plumb — A gothic slow-burn romantasy about dark bargains, demons, and forbidden love in a city fueled by desperate magic.
The Kotler Legacy by Philip Kotler — A thought-provoking collection of writings from the “Father of Modern Marketing” exploring ethics, sustainability, and the future of business leadership.
Prince of Swords by Elise Kova — Tarot magic, forbidden romance, and dangerous secrets collide in this sweeping fantasy sequel set at Arcana Academy.
The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang — A richly imaginative literary debut about grief, connection, and a mysterious glowing jellyfish haunting a remote island.
Feast by Catherine Kurtz — A lush historical fantasy following a gifted poison taster navigating danger, prejudice, and intrigue in nineteenth-century France.
The Maidenheads by Benny B. Peterson — A tender and electric novel about queer first love, indie music, and rediscovering your voice after heartbreak.
Phonics Makes Readers: Kindergarten Phonics Games — A colorful activity book packed with phonics games and puzzles designed to make early reading skills fun and engaging.
Cece's Sour-Sweet Journey to Medical School by Candicee Childs — An inspiring story about perseverance, mentorship, and chasing big dreams even after setbacks.
The Four Selves Oracle — A beautifully designed oracle deck and guidebook exploring self-discovery, healing, and the balance between light and shadow.
Calypso's Odyssey by Anna Ellison — A romantic reimagining of the myth of Calypso and Odysseus filled with longing, shipwrecks, and impossible choices.
Too Cold for Comfort by Nisha J. Tuli — Sparks fly between a free-spirited photographer and a grumpy lodge owner stranded together in the Arctic wilderness.
Kiss, Marry, Kill by Cara Tanamachi — A witty romantic thriller where a true crime podcaster suspects one of the men she’s dating may also be a serial killer.
The Cozy Nook Bookshop by Jeannie Chin — A charming small-town romance where a bookseller starting over collides with a grumpy forest ranger who may just be her perfect match.
By the Bootstraps by Alexa Martin — A swoony cowboy romance about grief, fresh starts, and discovering that real-life love can outshine fantasy.
Murder Most Delicious by Danielle Postel-Vinay — A deliciously atmospheric Paris-set mystery filled with wine, pastries, romance, and murder.
Out of Her League by Ava Rani — A sparkling fake-dating romance set against glamorous Paris weddings and second chances at love.
The Cherry Blossom Boathouse by Laura Bloom — A cozy romance about a woman rebuilding her life, a rundown boathouse bookstore, and an irresistible grumpy neighbor.
The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay — A heartfelt beach romance where two reluctant co-owners repair both a seaside cottage and their guarded hearts.
The House of Now and Then by Edward Underhill — A magical and emotional story about a trans man finding healing, connection, and unexpected romance during one transformative summer.
Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel by Arushi Avachat — A charming YA romance about driving lessons, family expectations, and falling for the boy next door.
What Gentlemen Do by Todd Babiak — A sharp and thoughtful coming-of-age novel about masculinity, online culture, and a young man trying to rebuild his sense of truth.
False Prophet by Afsheen Farhadi — A layered literary novel about grief, lies, and the dangerous allure of reinvention inspired by the Jonestown cult.
Spellstruck by Martha Waters — A magical enemies-to-lovers rom-com set in an alternate 1920s London filled with enchanted cocktails and forbidden chemistry.
The Long Con by Jenna Voris — A glamorous heist thriller where rival conwomen are forced to team up at a luxury Miami resort.
It Came from Neverland by Cynthia Pelayo — A dark horror retelling that blends Peter Pan with Stephen King-style terror during World War I London.
This is a Lie by Cleo Ballard — A suspenseful AI thriller where a woman’s truth-detecting program evolves into something dangerously uncontrollable.
Lost in France by Claire Ross Dunn — A warm and witty novel about reinvention, family, and unexpected romance after buying a one-euro house in France.
The Door in Penrose Forest by Sean David Robinson — A haunting speculative mystery about vanished staircases, missing people, and long-buried family secrets.
The Girl on the Beach by Carol Snow — A gripping emotional mystery about a missing child, lingering guilt, and the possibility that the truth was never fully known.
Every Hunter is Hunted by Barry Lyga — A dark and intense thriller following the son of serial killers as he’s pulled back into the hunt for a brutal murderer.
