Spring and summer are perfect seasons for rediscovering the pleasure of reading – whether it’s a quiet morning on the porch, a long afternoon at the beach, or a few peaceful minutes before bed. Beyond simple enjoyment, reading offers real benefits. Studies show it strengthens brain health, sharpens memory, and can reduce stress levels by as much as 70% in just 10 minutes.

Books also allow us to step into someone else’s perspective. I may never be a Frenchman, but through reading, I can begin to understand how someone else sees the world. Stories build empathy, expand knowledge, and even help us live longer. Reading also brings people together – book clubs, shared recommendations, and conversations about favorite stories create connections that feel genuine and lasting. With spring and early summer bringing a fresh wave of new releases, here are a few wonderful titles worth adding to your reading list this season.

CHILDREN

Sit with a little one on your lap and enjoy some of these wonderful picture books for ages 0-100. Many readers still search for that favorite childhood story they loved years ago. My husband’s is The Monster at the End of This Book, which still makes readers laugh today. Sharing stories like these with the next generation is one of the great joys of reading.

You Stole My Name: Foods – A Rhyming Book of Foods & Animals That Sound Alike by Dennis McGregor
This hilarious book will have parents laughing and kids thinking. Why are pigs in a blanket called that? What about butterfly pasta, bear claws, or turtle brownies? Through playful rhymes and vibrant illustrations, animals are paired with the foods that share their names. Clever, silly, and surprisingly educational, it’s a delightful read-aloud for curious kids and their families.

The Dream Keeper by Anna Walker
This gorgeous picture book that fosters imagination and play is reminiscent of Where the Wild Things Are. It tells the story of a young girl who finds solace in her toys until a mysterious turtle appears and her dreams begin to blend with reality. It’s a beautiful story about courage, comfort, and the power of imagination at bedtime.

The One and Only Family by Katherine Applegate
Katherine Applegate returns to the world of The One and Only Ivan for one final adventure. Now living at a wildlife sanctuary with friends Ruby and Bob, Ivan adjusts to a new role as father to a pair of twins. As he navigates the challenges and joys of parenthood, he reflects on his own childhood and what it truly means to do the right thing. Written for readers ages 8-12 but perfect as a family read-aloud, it’s a heartfelt conclusion to a beloved series and also makes a thoughtful Father’s Day gift.

Dawn on the Coast: A Graphic Novel – The Baby-Sitters Club #19 Adapted by Arley Nopra
In this graphic novel adaptation originally written by Ann M. Martin, Dawn travels to California to visit her dad and brother and quickly falls back in love with the sunshine, beaches, and time with her best friend Sunny, who has even started her own babysitting club. But the longer she stays, the more she wonders if she might want to remain in California for good. Kids love these graphic novels, and many adults enjoy rediscovering stories they first read decades ago.

YOUNG ADULT

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen
North Carolina’s own Sarah Dessen returns with a heartfelt YA romance perfect for summer reading. Finley has always felt most comfortable following someone else’s lead – especially her charismatic boyfriend, Colin. But when a last-minute trip with her mother takes her to a long-forgotten family vacation house, everything begins to change. Surrounded by new relatives, unexpected friendships, and a charming guitarist named Ben, Finley begins to question the path she thought was already mapped out.

ADULT

Score by Kennedy Ryan
Did you know an internationally bestselling author calls Wake Forest home? Kennedy Ryan lives right here in our community, yet her books reach readers around the world. In Score, she delivers a powerful second-chance romance between an award-winning screenwriter and a world-class musician who reunite to work on a film about the Harlem Renaissance more than a decade after their devastating breakup.

James Wilson and the Forgotten Fight for a People’s Constitution by Jesse Wegman
As a young lawyer, James Wilson made a powerful case for American independence in an essay that helped inspire the famous words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” He wrote the first draft of the Constitution and later served as one of the first Supreme Court justices, championing the idea that political power comes from the people. Brilliant but controversial, his life ended in scandal and financial ruin, dying in the back room of a North Carolina tavern while hiding from creditors. His story reads almost like a novel.

London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe
In this gripping investigation, a young man plunges to his death from a balcony into the Thames. As his grieving parents search for answers, they uncover the secret life he had created, including a fictional identity as the son of a Russian oligarch, and a much larger story beneath the surface.

Black Freedom: A Visual History of Juneteenth and Emancipation Days by Blair L. M. Kelley
Black history is American history. This powerful visual history explores Juneteenth and other Emancipation Day traditions while honoring the people and events that shaped the long struggle for freedom and equality. Both educational and moving, it reminds readers that the story of democracy continues to evolve.

suThe Shippers by Katherine Center
Katherine Center delivers a funny, feel-good summer romance set on a destination wedding cruise. JoJo Burton arrives determined to finally solve her love life, but things get complicated when her childhood best friend – and former heartbreak – shows up unexpectedly as a fellow guest. As the pair team up for a little matchmaking adventure, old feelings resurface in charming ways. Center’s stories offer humor, warmth, and the kind of happy ending that feels comforting when you need it most.