Summer Booklist 2024: Best New Books by D.C. Area Authors
As summer approaches, we turn our thoughts to beach reads and poolside companions. We’ve created our first summer reading list, sharing with you the best new books by D.C. area authors. When looking for the next great read, we value recommendations from real people, and especially from independent booksellers. These are thoughtful, dedicated readers who have a finger on the pulse of new stories and voices. This summer we reached out to bookstores in Northern Virginia and Maryland.
We also want to give you a glimpse of each store’s individuality. These stores give great recommendations because they all have their own particular vibe, when it comes to their space, their programming, staff, and philosophy. Like a good book, each has its own distinct, quirky voice.
Our 2024 Summer Booklist highlights new reads for the whole family, by D.C. area authors. Here are the 2024 summer picks from People’s Book, Bard’s Alley, Old Town Books, Scrawl Books, and our editors.
Virginia
Book Recommendations
When Jen Morrow opened Bard’s Alley in 2017, she wanted to create a space where young and old could gather to exchange ideas, receive personalized book recommendations, and discover new books and local authors. Bard is an allusion to Shakespeare but also the long tradition of poets as storytellers.. It’s a small, cozy space filled with over 5,000 titles. The store also hosts book clubs and author events. Recommendations: Staff favorites.
The Jinn Daughter by Rania Hanna
Adult Fiction
This fantasy debut is full of stunning prose and beautiful imagery, weaving together folklore, magic, and Middle Eastern mythology. This mother-daughter story follows a jinn who must save her daughter from being taken to the underworld, doing whatever is in her power to keep her safe. A powerful story of motherhood and loss.
The Weekend Retreat by Tara Laskowksi
Adult Fiction
A vaguely gothic thriller that will satiate your need for twisted family secrets and rising tensions in an enclosed "locked-room" mystery. The Weekend Retreat follows a wealthy family trapped in their vacation home during a storm, but the mind-bending secrets simmering below the surface are sure to keep you hooked and captivated.
Ánh's New Word by Hanh Bui (Illustrations by Bao Luu)
Picture book
Inspired by the author's own experiences, Ánh's New Word follows a child living in a Vietnamese refugee camp learning his first English words. An ode to teachers and finding comfort in where you are, this picture book is a wonderful take on finding your inner bravery and learning to use your voice.
Location: 110 Church St. NW, Vienna, VA 22180
Phone: (571) 459-2653
Website: www.bardsalley.com
Book Recommendations
Located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Old Town Books is a general interest bookshop focusing on building bookish community. A lifelong love of reading, writing, and music led owner, Ally Kirkpatrick, an Alexandria native to open Old Town Books in 2018. The store’s children’s and young teen section has expanded and will soon be a whole new bookshop, Old Town Books Junior, located next door to the main shop at 128 South Royal Street. Check out their many book clubs and author events. Recommendations: Staff favorites.
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
Adult Fiction
Ray McMillian is a Black classical musician on the rise—undeterred by the pressure and prejudice of the classical music world—when a shocking theft sends him on a desperate quest to recover his great-great-grandfather’s heirloom violin on the eve of the most prestigious musical competition in the world. This Northern Virginia author is affiliated with the Kennedy Center and local orchestras.
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
Adult Fiction
When a father goes missing, his family’s desperate search leads them to question everything they know about him and one another in this thrilling page-turner, a profoundly moving portrait of a family in crisis from the award-winning author of Miracle Creek. Read our past review of this novel here.
Medusa by Katherine Marsh
Middle-grade fiction
From National Book Award finalist Katherine Marsh: Percy Jackson meets Wednesday Addams in this fantastical adventure about Ava, who attends a boarding school for the descendants of Greek monsters and uncovers a terrible secret that could change the world forever.
Location: 130 S. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 647-9749
Email: hello@oldtownbooks.com
Website: www.oldtownbooks.com
Book Recommendations
Scrawl Books offers a thoughtful and relevant selection of new books for children, teens, and adults in a welcoming space where people can browse, gather, and explore new ideas. They support local literacy efforts and freedom of speech and strive to reflect and contribute to the diversity of Reston, Herndon, and the surrounding area. Owner Rachel Wood, who opened the store in 2015, is a former librarian and Reston resident with over 20 years of experience connecting books with people. The store also hosts book and community events. All recommendations are from Leah Grover, Communication and Events Manager.
The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky
Adult Fiction
Game shows, grief, and gays (affectionate)—oh my! THE (FAKE) DATING GAME is everything: heartbreaking, hopeful, hilarious, and heartwarming!
The Exvangelicals by Sarah McCammon
Adult Nonfiction
The Exvangelicals is a searing look at the harms perpetuated by the white evangelical church, yet it's written with such genuine care. This book is important to read for everyone, whether you're new to evangelical culture, a former churchgoer questioning your beliefs, or a current member trying to understand and re-examine assumptions about why people leave the evangelical church.
The Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood
Young Adult Fiction
Vampires are BACK, baby, and we have Lauren Blackwood to thank! The Dangerous Ones is so much more than a vampire enemies-to-lovers romantasy. This book is equally dark and fun, full of joy and hideous pain, a fantasy laced with reality, both historical (the Civil War) and contemporary (the experience of being Black in a world built by and for white people). But what elevates it from a great read to a necessary one is how Blackwood takes the reader on a journey of learning to trust, love, and see past what someone is to who they are.
Any Way You Look by Maleeha Siddiqui
Middle-grade fiction
Maleeha Siddiqui has given us yet another absolute stunner! Any Way You Look artfully addresses sexual harassment in an age-appropriate way, making it timely and necessary—whether you know what it means to be hijabi or not. This book gave me insight into the unique struggles of being a young Muslim woman while remaining infinitely relatable.
Location: 11911 Freedom Dr., Reston VA 20190
Phone: 703-966-2111
Email: info@scrawlbooks.com
Website: https://www.scrawlbooks.com
Maryland
Book Recommendations
People’s Book opened in 2023 and is the newest addition to the D.C. indie bookstore scene. Owner Megan Bormet is a mom and former educator, and the store has a real family focus. When she moved to Takoma Park, she was looking forward to spending a lot of time in her local bookstore. There wasn’t one, so she opened and her own. The store hosts a free story time for kids every Sunday morning, along with many other events, book clubs, and workshops for kids and adults. They have 13,000 new books and gifts on sale, as well as comfy chairs where you can sit and read, or sip a cup of coffee. All books are recommended by owner Megan Bormet.
Like So by Ruth Forman (Illustrations by Raissa Figueroa)
Picture book
A lyrical and vibrant picture book honoring the love and bond between family and child, even in complicated times. This simple, affirming, and comforting read-aloud book shows how every family's love is natural and connected to the world around us.
Eyes That Weave the Wonders of the World by Joanna Ho and Liz Kleinrock (Illustrations by Dung Ho)
Picture book
This is a powerful companion picture book about adoption and family. A young girl who is a transracial adoptee learns to love her Asian eyes and finds familial connection and meaning through them even though they look different from her.
Building a Beak by Becca McMurdie (Illustrations by Diana Hernández)
Picture book
In the wild, Grecia the toucan loved to soar from branch to branch and sing until she was injured. Animal rescuers examined Grecia and found she needed a new beak to survive. Grecia's determination to live drove their search for a creative solution--an innovative 3D-printed beak.
Location: 7014-A Westmoreland Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912
Phone: (240) 641-8979
Email: info@peoplesbooktakoma.com
Website: www.peoplesbooktakoma.com
DCTRENDING
Book Recommendations
Our primary objective is to shed light on the many talented authors in the D.C. area, particularly those whose work explores themes of cultural awareness, social change, and social justice. The following recommendations are from our Local Authors Editor, Norah Vawter.
The House of Plain Truth by Donna Hemans
Adult Fiction
The third novel by Jamaican-born Hemans follows a woman who left her country decades ago to pursue the dream of success abroad. Through the microcosm of Pearline’s family, we see the legacy of migration, slavery, and colonialism affecting Jamaica, as well as the fascinating family secrets and subtly crafted characters. Read our past nterview with the author.
Two Novembers by Liza Achilles
Adult poetry
A beautifully written and accessible collection of poetry. Upon suffering a computer overuse injury and seeking treatment, Liza Achilles fell in love with her physical therapist. As her arms healed, she began writing Shakespearean sonnets addressed to him. Two Novembers is a sonnet sequence that carries the beauty and drama of an ancient poetic style into the twenty-first century. Look out for our upcoming interview with the author!
The Star and the Strange Moon by Constance Sayers
This author always delights me with her mix of fantasy and grounded, realistic relationships and character development. From the author of A Witch in Time comes a haunting tale of ambition, obsession, and the eternal mystery and magic of film. In 1968, an actress disappears mysteriously and is captured in a horror film. In 2007, a film student becomes obsessed with discovering the truth of what happened.
Norah Vawter is DCTRENDING’s Local Authors Editor, a freelance writer/editor, and a novelist. She is represented by Victress Literary and has an M.F.A. in creative writing from George Mason University. She lives with her family in Northern Virginia. Follow Norah on Instagram and Twitter @norahvawter, where she shares words and works of D.C. area writers every Friday.