The Slip

By Lucas Schaefer 

As one of the most buzzed-about books on our list, The Slip has been described as nothing short of a literary masterpiece from debut author Lucas Schaefer. Much of this all-encompassing novel centers around Austin and a fictional gym called Terry Tucker’s Boxing Gym, but there’s no way to simplify this beautifully layered epic with its a web of characters, including Nathaniel, a troubled teenager who takes up boxing under the tutelage of a Haitian-born boxer named David, and Charles, a teenager who goes by “X” and is grappling with gender and sexual identity.

The plot deepens when Nathaniel goes missing, and more than a decade passes before his uncle Bob receives a tip that sends him into investigating the youth’s disappearance. With its narrative structure and exploration of themes like identity and community, The Slip is an addicting and audacious page-turner that stays with you long after you’ve finished it. 

The Gunfighters

By Bryan Burrough 

Hollywood’s fascination with Westerns and legendary gunfighters is renowned, but our culture’s interest in this subject has deep roots in reality. In his newest book, Texas Monthly‘s editor at large Bryan Burrough explores Texas’ history in the “gunfighter era.” This violent and transformative period took place during the last three decades of the 1800s and experienced the highest murder rate per capita in American history. Colliding influences like the collapse of the Confederacy, the cattle business boom, and Southern dueling culture are all at play in The Gunfighters: How Texas Made the West Wild, and Burrough weaves together the meticulous research, compelling narratives, and sharp analysis to shed new light on this intriguing and incredibly bloody chapter in Texas history. 

My Mexican Favorites

By Zachary Rodriguez 

Austin-based author and culinary personality Zachary Rodriguez’s debut cookbook My Mexican Favorites not only features fun and flavorful dishes perfect for summertime, such as tequila lime steak quesadillas and chicken flautas, but also personal stories and detailed explanations that make this book a treasure trove of culinary wisdom and inspiration you’ll reach for again and again. This easy-to-digest cookbook features 60 recipes that blend timeless tradition with modern twists, and the delicious, decadent results are perfect for beginner chefs and vaunted home cooks alike. 

How Freaking Romantic

By Emily Harding 

On Sale: July 1 

Romance novels have surged in popularity thanks to platforms like BookTok (see East Texas writer Colleen Hoover). Dallas author Emily Harding’s new book How Freaking Romantic is a brilliant contribution to the growing genre. Lawyer Beatrice is forced to choose a side in her two dearest friends’ divorce, and meets the opposing counsel, Nathan, whom Beatrice immediately loathes. After Nathan unexpectedly becomes a colleague, Beatrice finds her interactions with him evolving from obvious disdain to a spark of undeniable attraction, forcing Beatrice to confront her own vulnerabilities and preconceptions. Heading to the Texas coast? This is a perfect beach read.    

Party of Liars

By Kelsey Cox 

On Sale: July 1 

A murder mystery that takes place in the midst of a sweet 16 party in the Texas Hill Country? Sign us up! Author Kelsey Cox delivers a mesmerizing debut novel that will have you eagerly unraveling the mystery of a body that falls from the balcony of a cliffside mansion— once thought haunted. Party of Liars is a true whodunit in its brilliant setup and delivery, and Cox has cemented herself as an author to watch in the thriller genre with a novel that navigates multiple points of views, secrets, lies, twists, and a complicated web of relationships and motives. 

Where You’re Planted

By Melanie Sweeney

On Sale: July 8

The Houston-based author’s debut frenemies-to-lovers novel, Take Me Home, came out last year to great acclaim, and this summer she’s back with a spicy, dual-point of view slow-burn that sees a librarian and a gardener transform from adversaries to lovers in the aftermath of a Houston hurricane. Sweeney’s sophomore novel Where You’re Planted will have you swooning, fanning yourself, and rooting for Tansy, a buttoned-up librarian, and Jack, a jaded-but-lovable gardener as they navigate working alongside one another, and naturally, falling crazy in love. And let’s just say the spice is spicy. This literary rom-com is a testament to the power of recovery and rebuilding in far more ways than one.

We Match!

By Chris Barton, Illustrated by Sharon Glick

On Sale: July 15

Texas may be known for its illustrious literary figures like McCarthy and McMurtry, but the state is home to acclaimed children’s book authors as well, including Chris Barton. The Austin-based writer is known for works like Shark vs. Train, and his newest title is both a delight to read and a sight to behold with beautiful illustrations by Sharon Glick. We Match! takes readers on an adventurous day at the dog park, where a pack of adorable and engaging pups discover what they have in common through mixing and matching, such as comparing and contrasting their love for balls, chasing squirrels, and unique food preferences. By the end, these canines might just discover they have far more in common than they thought. The comic-style book is also a great introduction to math concepts and peer empathy for ages 4-8. 

Dwelling

By Emily Hunt Kivel

On Sale: Aug. 5

Dwelling takes readers on a trek from New York to Texas—much like Kivel who arrived in Austin in 2020—in which main character Evie ventures to find a distant cousin in the mysterious, sweltering fictional town of Gulluck. Kivel’s debut novel and surrealist fairy tale sees Evie evicted from her New York home, encounter magical beings, set out to rescue an institutionalized sister, become a shoemaker, and naturally, live in a giant cowboy boot. With plenty of levity at the surface, the depth of Kivel’s novel can be found in its ability to confront subjects like housing crises, wealth disparity, mental health, and other modern-day issues with unflinching grace and tenderness.

The Barefoot Followers of Sweet Potato Grace

By Megan Okonsky

On Sale: Aug. 19

Austin author Okonsky emerges from her work as a ghostwriter to produce a debut novel that proves her own voice is worthy of the spotlight. The Barefoot Followers of Sweet Potato Grace takes you to the fictional town of Tombstone, Texas, where Pinky Elizabeth Swear is eulogizing her rescue cat, Sweet Potato Grace. In the middle of her speech, which Pinky planned to use to come out of the closet, a pack of barefoot strangers shows up and disrupts the occasion. What ensues is a moving journey of self-reflection and discovery and a head-scratching mystery of just who these shoeless newcomers truly are.  

Narrow the Road

By James Wade

On Sale: Aug. 26

Narrow The Road is a moving coming-of-age story from that takes readers on a journey through East Texas and the wild and wondrous Big Thicket. Charged with running a failing farm and caring for his ill mother, William Carter goes on a journey to find his missing father and bring him home. What he encounters on this life-altering trek, along with best friend Ollie, is something he never anticipated: a cast of eccentric and dangerous characters and uncharted Texas territory. This moving odyssey is a testament to the power of resilience, friendship, and the unyielding spirit of those who refuse to give up in the face of unimaginable circumstances.