Books Around the Block

Chapter 60: Beach Read Books You Need This Summer

This week on Books Around the Block, we’re diving into the ultimate beach reads for summer. Each host brings two must-read books perfect for vacation reading, lazy pool days, and long afternoons in the sand.  From addictive thrillers that will keep you turning pages til you're sunburned to swoony romances that belong in your beach bag, we’re sharing the best summer books to pack for your next getaway. If you’re searching for the best beach reads of 2026 or books that feel like a day at the beach, this episode is packed with reading recommendations for summer readers! The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-burning-side-a-novel-sarah-damoff/d0691f2864d3c997?ean=9781668085011&next=t] Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke [https://bookshop.org/p/books/yesteryear-a-novel-caro-claire-burke/3633cf5fc7b2b2b1?ean=9780593804216&next=t] Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan [https://bookshop.org/p/books/dolly-all-the-time-annabel-monaghan/dcf2cdd749f867de?ean=9798217185054&next=t] The Friends We Keep by Jane Green [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-friends-we-keep-jane-green/9438517a0489c69f?ean=9780399583360&next=t] Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan [https://bookshop.org/p/books/same-time-next-summer-annabel-monaghan/9fefaf88c40e3854?ean=9780593544969&next=t] The Shippers by Katherine Center [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-shippers-a-novel-katherine-center/36817d70eab372f9?ean=9781250408051&next=t] Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey [https://bookshop.org/p/books/slightly-south-of-simple-a-novel-kristy-woodson-harvey/270019ca11ec4250?ean=9781501158056&next=t] On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves [https://bookshop.org/p/books/on-the-island-a-novel-tracey-garvis-graves/9e4243f813acdee3?ean=9780142196724&next=t] We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter [https://bookshop.org/p/books/we-are-all-guilty-here-a-novel-karin-slaughter/58955ffe831f3e92?ean=9780063336773&next=t]

Chapter 59: Our Auto-Buy Authors (The Writers We Read No Matter What)

In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re talking all about our ultimate auto-buy authors: the writers whose books we order instantly, recommend nonstop, and trust every single time. Each host brings one beloved author to the table and shares what makes them impossible to resist, from unforgettable storytelling to twisty plots and characters we can’t stop thinking about. If you love book recommendations and discovering authors worth obsessing over, this episode is for you. We also chat about our favorite books from these authors and what keeps us coming back for every release. Perfect for readers looking for their next favorite author. The Social Climber by Amanda Pellegrino [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-social-climber-amanda-pellegrino/f0366e93e83c64f9?ean=9780778387022&next=t] The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-lion-women-of-tehran-marjan-kamali/73083b17a21a5f64?ean=9781668036594&next=t] Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell [https://bookshop.org/p/books/don-t-let-him-in-a-novel-lisa-jewell/1f52a912683bb541?ean=9781668033876&next=t] It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell [https://bookshop.org/p/books/it-could-have-been-her-a-novel-lisa-jewell/e5cd476e9b239c69?ean=9781668033906&next=t] Broken Girls by Simone St. James [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-broken-girls-simone-st-james/0bb9edd117081d98?ean=9780451489388&next=t] The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-book-of-cold-cases-simone-st-james/58ccc089bc02f345?ean=9780440000235&next=t] What Does It Feel Like by Sophie Kinsella [https://bookshop.org/p/books/what-does-it-feel-like-sophie-kinsella/67092a05212fed90?ean=9780593977569&next=t] The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo-a-novel-taylor-jenkins-reid/2e0b947a9c601031?ean=9781501161933&next=t] Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid [https://bookshop.org/p/books/daisy-jones-the-six-taylor-jenkins-reid/550ab47ceb074e86?ean=9781524798642&next=t] One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid [https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-true-loves-taylor-jenkins-reid/a1f60a5f8ffaa898?ean=9781476776903&next=t] Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid [https://bookshop.org/p/books/untitled-8715/72852333144840f3?ean=9780593158715&next=t] Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke [https://bookshop.org/p/books/yesteryear-a-novel-caro-claire-burke/3633cf5fc7b2b2b1?ean=9780593804216&next=t]

Chapter 58: April Monthly Reading Wrap-Up & Our May TBR

In this monthly reading wrap-up episode of Books Around the Block, we’re sharing our best and worst books of the month of April… the ones we loved, the ones we didn’t, and the ones we cannot stop thinking about. We break down everything we read in April with honest, unfiltered reviews, from standout 5-star favorites to the biggest disappointments. If you’re looking for real opinions before adding books to your TBR, this episode is packed with must-read recommendations and a few you might want to skip. We also share two books we’re planning to read in May, giving you a preview of our upcoming TBR. The Anniversary by Alex Finlay [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-anniversary-a-thriller-alex-finlay/f01a2acc0e489876?ean=9781250360755&next=t] First by Ali Hazelwood The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali  [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-lion-women-of-tehran-marjan-kamali/73083b17a21a5f64?ean=9781668036594&next=t] Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke [https://bookshop.org/p/books/yesteryear-a-novel-caro-claire-burke/3633cf5fc7b2b2b1?ean=9780593804216&next=t] The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-night-we-met-standard-edition-abby-jimenez/a4f0146afbb5b99d?ean=9781538780794&next=t] Told You So by Mayci Neeley [https://bookshop.org/p/books/told-you-so-mayci-neeley/9cfb775a1e113a92?ean=9781668099926&next=t] Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister [https://bookshop.org/p/books/caller-unknown-a-novel-gillian-mcallister/e5c2ebf86a79c1e6?ean=9780063338470&next=t] So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder [https://bookshop.org/p/books/so-old-so-young-a-novel-grant-ginder/21da83abf286b9ab?ean=9781668051771&next=t] Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry [https://bookshop.org/p/books/rites-of-the-starling-a-slow-burn-epic-romantic-fantasy-devney-perry/ec3a36ecee82ab32?ean=9781682816752&next=t] The Summer of Second Chances by K.L. Walther [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-summer-of-second-chances-deluxe-edition-k-l-walther/8aa36eb5d69c3ce5?ean=9781464219177&next=t] Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth [https://bookshop.org/p/books/mad-mabel-a-novel-sally-hepworth/185634013e864e22?ean=9781250284549&next=t] Fever Dream by Elsie Silver [https://bookshop.org/p/books/fever-dream-a-novel-elsie-silver/4cf5966b12855f12?ean=9781668099575&next=t] One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware [https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-perfect-couple-ruth-ware/f62dc6da3b11e583?ean=9781668025604&next=t] Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick [https://bookshop.org/p/books/phoebe-berman-s-gonna-lose-it-a-novel-brooke-averick/c15fb9bb8cb2a111?ean=9798217088263&next=t] The Shippers by Katherine Center [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-shippers-a-novel-katherine-center/36817d70eab372f9?ean=9781250408051&next=t]

Chapter 57: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Book Club

This week on Books Around the Block, we’re discussing Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. We start with our Read, Watch, Obsessed catch-up, sharing what we’ve been loving lately, before getting into our discussion of this beloved book club pick.  After the 16-minute mark, we shift into a full spoiler discussion, breaking down the characters, relationships, and everything that worked (and didn’t) for us. We also talk about the upcoming Netflix adaptation releasing May 8, 2026, including our thoughts on the cast (Sally Field is a QUEEN). If you’ve read this charming pick, listen now!

Chapter 56: Top Authors Most Popular Books vs Our Favorites

In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re diving into the most popular books by bestselling authors and asking the big question: are the most read titles actually their best? Each of us picked a favorite author and compared their most popular book with the book we think deserves the real spotlight. From viral BookTok hits to underrated backlist gems, we’re sharing our honest takes on what you should read next. If you’ve ever searched for: *  best books by your favorite authors  *  most popular books vs underrated books  *  what to read after a bestselling novel  this episode is for you. -- Told You So by Mayci Neeley [https://bookshop.org/p/books/told-you-so-mayci-neeley/9cfb775a1e113a92?ean=9781668099926&next=t] Lost and Found by Tarah DeWitt [https://bookshop.org/p/books/lost-and-found-a-spunes-novel-tarah-dewitt/900a96af4f92bc56?ean=9781250329462&next=t] Into The Blue by Emma Brodie [https://bookshop.org/p/books/into-the-blue-a-novel-emma-brodie/901655fc23314308?ean=9798217093700&next=t] Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt [https://bookshop.org/p/books/remarkably-bright-creatures-a-novel-shelby-van-pelt/80d8bf54665f88a8?ean=9780063204164&next=t] None of This is True by Lisa Jewell [https://bookshop.org/p/books/none-of-this-is-true-a-novel-lisa-jewell/6698d6b757aef3a7?ean=9781982179014&next=t] Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell [https://bookshop.org/p/books/then-she-was-gone-lisa-jewell/9d81c59930283720?ean=9781501154652&next=t] Watching You by Lisa Jewell [https://bookshop.org/p/books/watching-you-a-novel-lisa-jewell/89bcf565cfe223e7?ean=9781501190087&next=t] The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-love-hypothesis-ali-hazelwood/0186b3d38ae2e7ab?ean=9780593336823&next=t] Bride by Ali Hazelwood [https://bookshop.org/p/books/bride-ali-hazelwood/933284f46ff9100e?ean=9780593550403&next=t] Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros [https://bookshop.org/p/books/fourth-wing-rebecca-yarros/7c9996d919c6b19a?ean=9781649377371&next=t] The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-last-letter-rebecca-yarros/32df8e2e6fce4993?ean=9781640635333&next=t] The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-things-we-leave-unfinished-rebecca-yarros/14643736?ean=9781682815663&next=t]