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June 2026 Celebrity Book Club Picks · The Read Carpet Report

• In-person participant 1: Welcome to the Red Carpet Report, your backstage pass for celebrity book hubs, book adaptations, and new book releases. I'm Jackie. And I'm Kirsty. And we're your hosts. Kirsten Baritz: Welcome to the Red Carpet Report, your backstage past for celebrity book clubs, book adaptations, and new book releases. I'm Jackie. And I'm Kirsten. And we're your hosts. This week is a pick party, and we love a pick party over here. We are talking about the June 2026 Celebrity Book Club picks, and we're also gonna be diving into former celebrity book club authors who have new books coming out this month. In-person participant 1: This week is a pick party, and we love a pick party over here. ⁓ are talking about the June twenty twenty sixth Celebrity Book Club picks, and we're also gonna be diving into former celebrity book club authors who have new ⁓ coming out this month. I don't understand it's June. I know, and this is our space. Kirsten Baritz: I know. And this is our sixth episode of pick partying. I I don't know how that happened. Right? Yay! We did it. We made it. In-person participant 1: I don't know how that happened. Yay! Kirsten Baritz: Before we get into the pick parties though, we have to do the red carpet rundown. It's gonna be a fast one this week, though, because there's really only one that I'm super excited about. What's the first one? In-person participant 1: It's gonna be a fast one this week though, because there's really only one that I'm super excited about. What's the first one? Well, I wanna talk about the second one. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: Let's just rip the band-aid off. The first one is Cape Fear. It comes out on June 5th. I'm not watching it. Amy Adams is starring in it. I don't do I don't do this movie. So but it is there and it is an adaptation. But the one that we're so excited about is Every Summer After by Carly Fortune. I cannot wait for this one. In-person participant 1: But the one that we're so excited about is Every Summer After by Carly Fortune. I cannot wait for this one. Kirsten Baritz: This one comes out June 10th on Amazon Prime. Amazon Prime is in their prime. See what I did there? With book adaptations. Yes. Coming right off of the deal. They were like, you know what? We hear you with your off-campus obsession. You need something new. Let us just drop your newest summer romance right into the mix. And it's a Carly Fortune, and it's gonna be incredible. In-person participant 1: See what did there? With book adaptations. Yes. Coming right off of the deal. They were like, you know what? We hear you with your off-campus obsession. You need something new. Let us just drop your new summer romance right into the mix. And it's a Carly Fortune. And it's gonna be incredible. I'm wondering if they filmed it in Canada. I'm sure they did. You know, they filmed everything fun fact, actually, I just found out. Kirsten Baritz: I'm sure they did. You know, they film everything in Canada. In-person participant 1: That Little House on the Prairie is filmed in Canada. Kirsten Baritz: Yeah, they call Vancouver like the second Hollywood. But this one is actually filmed in Winnipeg. ⁓ okay. Okay. Winnipeg, Manitoba, which ⁓ us Canadians finally call Winterpeg because it is cold there. ⁓ can't wait to see that. But that has nothing to do with Every Summer After, is the perfect summer watch for television. It is this a show or a movie? In-person participant 1: But this one is actually filmed in Winnipeg. Yeah. Which is Winnipeg, Manitoba, which ⁓ us Canadians finally call Winterpeg because it is cold there. I can't wait to see that. But that has nothing to do with Every Summer After is the perfect summer watch for television. It is this a show or a movie? Kirsten Baritz: It is a TV series. And as we know, this is one of three of her, I think five books that have been set at Barry's Bay. But I have a feeling that if this takes off, not only are we gonna get the first two, but I think her other two could easily be adapted and moved over to Barry's Bay. So we could be seeing the start of another major book adaptation franchise along the lines of like a steamier sweet magnolias almost. In-person participant 1: I have goosebumps because so looking forward to this. Her books ⁓ speak to me of descriptions of like being at the lake is really ⁓ how I up because didn't have the shore, ⁓ right? So we have lake houses because there's absolutely gorgeous, pristine. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: have goosebumps because I'm so looking forward to Her books ⁓ speak to me because of her descriptions of like being at the lake is really ⁓ how I grew because didn't have the shore. Right. So we have lake houses because there's ⁓ absolutely pristine ⁓ In-person participant 1: lakes in Canada and so this is what speaks to me. Kirsten Baritz: lakes in Canada and so this is what speaks to me. love her romances because they feel so genuine. They feel so real. They really give you those butterflies. They feel earned. You're not rushing in, you're not, you know, waiting for the moment. There's like little moments throughout where you just get ⁓ that tension. Yeah. I can't wait to see this adapted. Eight episodes. ⁓ Yes. In-person participant 1: Yeah. Yes, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm so excited. Kirsten Baritz: Well, this is a very ⁓ In-person participant 1: Well, this is very heavy episode. So we didn't Kirsten Baritz: Heavy episode. So we didn't have that many for red carpet rundown, but we have a lot of books to discuss for the main segment, the pick party. So I think we should probably just jump right into it. Yes, because we have so many books from previous celebrity authors this month. So off we have the Reese Pick. In-person participant 1: Я Yes, because we have so many books from previous celebrity authors this month. Kirsten Baritz: A pair of aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. this a previous celebrity book club pick for ⁓ the personal librarian, right? Right. They were a combo duo team. they got the GMA pick for that one. Yep. Right. And so ⁓ this we have read it. It looks like it's going to be fantastic. So ⁓ you're gonna have fill in the names for me. I like it when we play this game where I talk and In-person participant 1: this was a celebrity book club pick for ⁓ the personal librarian, right? Right. And so this, we have not read it. It looks like it's going to be fantastic. So you're gonna have to fill in the names for me. I like it when we play this game where I talk and you fill in the names. Okay. Okay. So we have a woman. Even is Carter. And she was the first black DA for the city of New York. And Kirsten Baritz: fill in the names. Okay. Okay. So we have a woman. Eunice Carter. And she was the first black DA for the city of New York. And She wants to take down Lucky Luciano. In-person participant 1: wants to take down Lucky Lucia who is the mob boss. ⁓ ⁓ in order to do so, she needs help from ⁓ Gather. Who is, I think she's a a madam. Yes, she's ⁓ black. Fantastic. Kirsten Baritz: Polly Adler, who is, I think she's a madam. Yes, she's a brothel owner. Fantastic. I love this writing duo. ⁓ They are a white woman and a black woman. And the characters that they do in these historical stories are each one one black woman, one white woman, and the way that they interacted. So there's another book they had, First Ladies, and it was about a civil rights activist and Eleanor Roosevelt. And I I just love this duo. I love the stories they tell. I am very much looking forward to this, and I thought we were gonna get a little preview of this, and we got to play a sample, but they didn't let us have the full book yet, so I'm very upset. But this is really high on my most anticipated for the full year. So I'm glad this was chosen. Yeah, I love Marie Benedict and ⁓ I love the personal librarian. So I feel like it is just such a good way to tell a story when you have two brilliant storytellers and In-person participant 1: I know, I know. Yeah, I love Marie Benedict and ⁓ I love the personal librarian. So I feel like it is just such a good way to tell a story when you have two brilliant storytellers and they can make it seamless and it feels so much more real. Kirsten Baritz: They can make it seamless and it feels so much more real. Mm-hmm. And they both are real dynamite writers in the historical fiction space. They do these historical biographical fiction novels very, very well. And when they're together, it's like unstoppable. I am not surprised this was a pick. I am I'm delighted by this one. In-person participant 1: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, and I hope they continue. This is a brilliant writing, Joe. Kirsten Baritz: Yeah, and I hope they continue. This is a brilliant writing, Joel. Agreed. Now the GMA pick, you happen to have read. I am ⁓ In-person participant 1: You happen to have read. I am so excited that they picked this book. I've spoken about this. It's Dolly All the Time by Annabelle Monaghan. And it was last week. It was. And so I'm not gonna go into too much detail about it. this was my of all her books that she's written. she writes such and we do have an entire list of every one of the books that she's Kirsten Baritz: It was the bookmark last week. It was. And so I'm not gonna go into too much detail about it. was my favorite of all her books that she's written. she such and and we do have an entire list of every one of the books that she's ⁓ that read ⁓ and on the website. In-person participant 1: That she's read and ranked on on the website. So GMA did something different this month. So there's controversy because usually we have the sticker on the front. This time they decided to put the sticker on the spine as well. Kirsten Baritz: So GMA did something different this month. So there's controversy because usually we have the sticker on the front. This time they decided to put the sticker on the spine as well. And people are up in arms. Now, a lot of people, in fairness, don't care about celebrity book clubs. And those people get annoyed that those celebrity book club stickers aren't in back stickers that they're permanently on the cover. That really bothers them. ⁓ and so they've taken it to another extreme because when you line up all of her books and they're all the same height and the all the covers look so nice together, this circle is in the middle of the spine, which we've never seen on any celebrity book club pick. And it's right there in the middle, and people are pissed. In-person participant 1: Yes. Celebrity book. No. And it's right there in the middle and people are pissed. I mean, I can I can kind of see it. I mean, I have all all of my books. and I have them all lined up. Mine is advanced reader copy, so it doesn't have that. ⁓ you left out. I know. I feel like I did. I feel like it would get in the way and ruin the aesthetic of my bookshelf. Kirsten Baritz: ⁓ I have them lined up. Mine is an advanced reader copy, so it doesn't have that. ⁓ you locked out. I know. I know I did. I feel like it would get in the way and ruin the aesthetic of my bookshelf. Yeah, I think it's ⁓ I think it's pretty ballsy move. I ⁓ I don't think like this choice. Do you think that they're gonna keep doing it? And do you think that other book clubs are gonna follow suit? In-person participant 1: Do you think that they're gonna k keep doing it? And do you think that other book clubs are gonna follow suit? Kirsten Baritz: Given the backlash that we are seeing online, I'm thinking no. The thing about book collectors that I think non-book collectors don't really understand, like there's a lot of people that are devout readers who read a book and they consume it and they don't care if it's this, that, or the other. Right. But there's a subset of readers that are purists that want, they want if the series started this way, they want all the covers in the series to be the same way, they want all the heights to be the same way because they shelved them. In-person participant 1: Mm-hmm. Who read a book and they consume it and they don't care if it's this, that, or the other. Right. But there's a subset of readers that are purists that want they want if the series started the way they want all the covers in the series to be the same way. They want all the hypes to be the same way because they shelve them, they fold them on their bookcase together. And Kirsten Baritz: They photograph them, they put them on their bookcase together. And understand somebody would be upset about that. I I would I think be one of those people that would be annoyed by the sticker on the spine. I think I am also. Yeah. I just I don't think it needs to be there. I mean In-person participant 1: Think I am also. Yeah. I just I don't think to be there. I mean, I will even have multiple copies of some of my favorite books so I can have the different spines and the different books and the different editions just because I love the book and it makes me happy. Call me crazy. It would ruin it to have something that doesn't. match at all with the with the spine. If they wanted to like print it, like a GMA pick on the spine, that's that's one thing because they could somehow make it match, but putting the sticker on completely changes the entire aesthetic of the book. Kirsten Baritz: completely changes the entire aesthetic of the book. Although I do wonder from a bookseller point of view, because we just came at it from the reader point of view, the collector, from a bookseller point of view, If you've got a whole line of Annabelle Monaghan books ⁓ and you're like, I want to read the GMA one, ⁓ that can see from the spine. And if you are ⁓ In-person participant 1: And you're like, I wanna read the GNA one. Right. Right from the spine. Yeah. You are only choosing Kirsten Baritz: only choosing books. Like if we're finding that, which we do, that Celebrity Book Club picks, tend to be higher on the bestseller list. Then maybe that call out, you know, it's it's on a table when it first releases, but after that it gets shelves and you're only seeing the spine in the bookstore. And so maybe this is a little trial to see how it sells over time. In-person participant 1: then maybe that call out, you know, it's it's on a table when it releases. Yeah. That's a really good point. I I I didn't think about that. I think that's a really, really good point. So I guess we'll find out. Yeah. Kirsten Baritz: I guess we'll find out. Yeah. I would love the marketing person who made this decision to come on and tell us why they made that decision. That would be amazing. If this reaches the marketing gods, please tell us why. Why'd you do it? And if you want to come on the podcast, we can do that too. Yeah. 100%. Pop on market. In-person participant 1: That would be amazing. And if you wanna come on the podcast, we can do that too. A hundred percent. We can make that work. Okay, the next is the Jenna pick and you've read this one. I did. It's the child. Kirsten Baritz: Okay, the next is the Jenna pick, and you've read this one. I did. It's The Children by Melissa Albert. Now you've read her before The Hazelwood. Yes. She it's a darker fantasy. It is a fantasy, which let's back up to that. It is a fantasy chosen by Jenna, okay? That doesn't happen. That Kirsten read. That I read. This is because I didn't really think it was gonna be. I didn't really think it was gonna be a fantasy, and it's not. In-person participant 1: Yes. She ⁓ it's a Which let's back up to that. It is a fantasy chosen by J, okay? That doesn't happen. That Kirsten red. Twilight Zone Kirsten Baritz: It's hard to classify it because the whole time you're kind of like, is this a fantasy? Is this not a fantasy? And so it's a fantasy because if you're going in with the idea that it could be a fantasy, then you have to like fantasy. Right. Even if it doesn't end up being, obviously there's a sort of question and you're not gonna enjoy it if you don't. Right. So I went into it and here's the premise, essentially. In-person participant 1: Then it's a fantasy because if you're going in with the idea that it could be a fantasy, then you have to like fantasy, even if it doesn't end up being, obviously there's some sort of question and you're not gonna enjoy it if you don't like fantasies. Kirsten Baritz: Edith is a J.K. Rowling-esque author. She has written a series of highly successful children's middle-grade fiction, like a Harry Potter with a magical element. Books about books. Yes. And in her stories, she has woven in her two children, ⁓ Ginevra and Ennis. Okay. inspired by their isolated life. In-person participant 1: And in her stories, she has woven in her two children, ⁓ Ginevra and Ennis. Okay. they're inspired by their isolated life in a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Sounds delightful. I know. the word I ⁓ would use. Kirsten Baritz: In a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Sounds delightful. ⁓ is dark and creepy. So delightful is not the word I would use to describe this. But In-person participant 1: Total sarcasm. I can you imagine? It's like, okay, I'm gonna put you, I'm gonna isolate you. And not only that, then I'm gonna write a book about you so that everybody can read about your creepy, isolated life. Well, and so the way that she writes. Kirsten Baritz: Well and so the way that she writes about this book is like very idyllic. It's like magic treehouse. It's it's like, you know, things happen but it resolves nicely and blah blah blah blah. And so the whole world is enraptured by not only the children, but the novels. And now Ginevra is older. She her parents, this is not a spoiler, but In-person participant 1: But the novels. And now Ginevra is older. She, her parents, this is not a spoiler, but Kirsten Baritz: parents died when she was younger in a fire. ⁓ ⁓ that point, she's been estranged from her brother, Ennis. Now she's an adult. She's kind of grappling with the legacy of her mother. And it turns out that her brother, who she has now talked to, is now opening up an art installation called The Mother. And it's probably gonna be about her past. And ⁓ she's kind of trying to wrap around her head what she now is viewing as an adult. To what happened to her when she was younger, because she was very young when she was in this. And so her memories are a little unreliable. It's a dual timeline. We're going back and forth. they're living, they're children, they're from other people. Their parents are like throwing parties and just like there's this creepy vibe of like things were maybe not all right at the farmhouse. Got it. And she's only now kind of coming to terms with that as an adult. In-person participant 1: Got it, and so they're living, they're children, they're isolated from other people. Their parents are like throwing parties, and just like there's this creepy vibe. Things were maybe not all right at the farmhouse. Got it. ⁓ And she's now kind of coming to terms with that as an adult. And there's this is there a magical element or not? Right. And how much of this is in her head because of the kinds of stories her mom wrote. So it is ⁓ very different than Kirsten Baritz: there's this whole is there a magical element or not? Right. And how much of this is in her head because of the kinds of stories her moms wrote. So it is ⁓ different than anything I've ever read. I enjoy it. I was creeped out at times by it. So Okay. I couldn't read it at night. Okay. Cause you don't generally do stuff that's too scary or no. But but you did like it. So I did. ⁓ In-person participant 1: did enjoy it. I was creeped by it. So Okay. And you don't okay. 'Cause you don't generally do stuff that's too scary or hor but but you did like it. So even if you don't like scary hor this this might be a really fun, interesting pick for you. Kirsten Baritz: Yeah, and it was it was about art and it was about writing and it was about all these different things that I found really interesting in a strange family and going back on memories and there were some really I can totally see why it was a book club pick because a lot of fantasy is not, because there isn't a lot to talk about and there is, there's like trauma to unpack here. Yes. So I get it as a pick. In-person participant 1: Okay. Yeah. Yes. Yes. So I get it as a pick. I love that. I think I would love this one. we not know ⁓ the ⁓ pick. don't. ⁓ we're filming this like two days beforehand. So unfortunately we don't know that. Reese ⁓ doesn't ⁓ this Right? For for the Y for the for the YA, for the sunny for the sunny reads, yep. Kirsten Baritz: The GMA pick. We don't. ⁓ we're filming this like two days beforehand. So unfortunately we don't know that. Reese doesn't have a pick this month. And the Y for the for the YA. Right. For the YA Sunny. Reese. Yeah. ⁓ And don't know Oprah because Oprah's Oprah and we never know when it's coming. I mean, she could announce it in two weeks. So In-person participant 1: Right. I mean, she could announce it in two weeks. So but we will post it as soon as she announces. Kirsten Baritz: It as soon as she announces. and I will say that we have pre-recorded the rest of the episodes for this month because of our kids or we each have at different schools ⁓ an eighth grader that a graduation and all the various events that go along with it. There are vacations coming up. We got to get our kids off to summer camp. So our June episodes are pre-recorded. So if it does come out we may not actually talk about it until July here on the pod. But we will be talking about it on Instagram. So make sure that you're following us there if you want us to, you know, kind of spoil the news. now we have a of authors that have books coming out who were not chosen for ⁓ picks that we know ⁓ for Celebrity Book Club, they were previous picks in the past. In-person participant 1: Here on the pod, but we will be talking about it on Instagram. So make sure that you're following us on the now we have ton authors that have books coming out who were not chosen for ⁓ picks ⁓ that we know yet celebrity book club, but they were previous picks in the past. Kirsten Baritz: I know it's like who do we want to start with? There's actually a lot of Reese, a lot of GMA. Yes. I'm not seeing a lot of Jenna. In fact, I don't see any Jenna on this. ⁓ There's a lot. And some of them were chosen by both. Yes, that's true. Yeah. So ⁓ okay, so the first one is a you Christy Greenwood. I knew you were gonna start with that. ⁓ In-person participant 1: Yes. ⁓ there there's a And some of them were chosen by both. Yes, that's true. ⁓ Yeah, so ⁓ Christy Green you were gonna start with that one. Kirsten Baritz: Her new book is In-person participant 1: Romantic Hero, and it is coming out, I think, on the 16th. It is so cute. ⁓ It is about a woman. ⁓ She ⁓ is a romance writer. She's been this She's to finish the series. She just broke up with her boyfriend. She has major Writer's block, and she accidentally somehow summons the villain from her books, who's like now on her couch and they don't know how to get him back to like his made up world. And they figured that the only way that they can do that is by finishing the books. So it's adorable. ⁓ wrote Love of My Afterlife with which was a GMA pick. And that was one of my favorite, favorite books of all last year. if haven't checked that one out, I'm sure you can get it at the library. And both are good picks. Kirsten Baritz: If you haven't checked that one out, I'm sure you can get it at the library. both are such good picks. There are, I'm looking through this, a lot of romances. So another one that's coming out ⁓ is Tia ⁓ The Missed Connection, which is ⁓ a romance that starts on a plane. Yes. ⁓ she ⁓ is a pick. In-person participant 1: Tia Williams. ⁓ yeah. Yes. ⁓ she is Kirsten Baritz: So, which I just realized. So obviously Seven Days in June. Right. That was Reese. Her YA book, Audra and Bash, was a GMA YA pick. ⁓ I didn't know. Yeah. I think, you know, love story on a sounds adorable for the summertime. And the covers like really kind of almost retro in feeling. It just it looks really cool. It reminds me of the ⁓ Nancy Drew high school. ⁓ really? ⁓ In-person participant 1: So which I just realized. So obviously seven days in June. Right. That was Reese. GMAY. Yeah. ⁓ I love that. Nancy Drew High School. ⁓ really? Yeah, like there's a Kirsten Baritz: Yeah, like there's a scene, but then there's like a head in the middle. I don't know. I just the cover is just very fun. here's one that I feel guilty saying that I haven't read yet because they sent me a physical and it's right there on the side of the desk. Land by Maggie O'Farrell. ⁓ exciting. ⁓ She was the Reese pick, obviously, for marriage ⁓ and this one is ⁓ all about a historical event that happened in ⁓ In-person participant 1: ⁓ Land by Maggie O'Farrell. ⁓ exciting. She was the Kirsten Baritz: such phenomenal writer. She's really just great. Yes. And we've read a few books sat in Ireland recently. I know. I know. It's like the new hotspot. I know. Who knew? ⁓ Well, I excited for this one. As we know, she won ⁓ Hamnet, obviously, was like a major ⁓ contender in award season. her writing is just fantastic. So this is gonna be a great book, but I think it's gonna be a heavy book. And I think I've been so. ⁓ In-person participant 1: Really just great. Yes. And we've read a few books set in Ireland recently. I know. I know. It's like the new hotspot. I know. Who knew? Well, I am excited for this one. As we know, she won ⁓ Hamlet, with a major ⁓ content. This is gonna be a great book. I think it is a heavy and I think I think so too. Trying to work my way into Kirsten Baritz: trying to work my way into that kind of a heavy book. And that's just my head. As previously mentioned of all the things that are going down this month, I can't do heavy fiction at the moment. In-person participant 1: Yeah. I can't do heavy fiction. Right. And even if we love it, it sounds like it probably won't end up on beach reads just because of the nature of the book, not because of how much we love it. Totally. Kirsten Baritz: bee trees just because of the nature of Totally. In-person participant 1: Lisa Jewell has a new book coming out. could have been her. ⁓ I haven't read it yet. Love Lisa Jewel. fact, we have all of the Lisa Jewel books on on the website, ranked which ones ⁓ we like the best. ⁓ But she was a previous pick for GMA Family Upstairs. Right. Kirsten Baritz: Lisa Jewell has a new book coming out. It could have been her. ⁓ I haven't read it yet. Love Lisa Jewel. In fact, we have ⁓ all of the Lisa Jewel on on the ranked which ones ⁓ we like the best. But she was a pick for GMA The Family Upstairs. Right. that's a thriller, which I think. might be the first thriller that we've talked about in a while, actually. I think so. I think this year at the beginning In-person participant 1: I think so. I think this year at the beginning of the year there were so many celebrity book club thrillers that were chosen, but before that, it was very unusual. Yeah. So ⁓ I this is gonna be great. Kirsten Baritz: that were chosen, but before that, it was very unusual. Yeah. So I think this is gonna be great. There's another thriller on my list here. ⁓ it was a former Reese pick, Steadman, who wrote Something in the Water. ⁓ That was really like when thrillers went super mainstream. It was what was that, eighteen, I think, right around there, twenty nineteen, where it was like Something in the Water, the wife between us, there were some killer thrillers. In-person participant 1: ⁓ yeah. Yes, yes. Yes. That was the year of thrillers. Kirsten Baritz: That was an unbelievable year for thrillers. ⁓ and she has a new one out in nine lives. Okay. I think that's gonna be fantastic. I'm so happy. I I feel like we might be back into twenty nine. In-person participant 1: She hasn't even won out nine lines. Okay. I think that's gonna be fantastic. I'm so happy. I I feel like we might be back into twenty nineteen territory with thrillers this year. Kirsten Baritz: ⁓ yeah, I actually think you're right. had a five year hiatus. And our we recently released our best of the year picks ⁓ so for every category. and some of them are very small. You know, there's one or two books on it, but the thriller list is extensive so far this year for the best of. And those are our books that are four and a half or five stars. We are very tough graders when it comes to fiction. as previously mentioned, we've read In-person participant 1: had a five year hiatus, but we're back. Mm-hmm. as ⁓ we've read 170, I think at this point. It'll probably by the time this episode comes out, we'll get like Kirsten Baritz: A hundred and sixty seven, I think, at this point. ⁓ it'll probably by the time this episode comes out, we'll be at like a hundred and seventy-five because that's how many we read in a given ⁓ week. you know, the thrillers ⁓ really ⁓ took took this Yes. We have a lot of thrillers, a lot of mystery, a lot of fiction. There's always a lot of really good fiction. ⁓ n a few good romances. but ⁓ In-person participant 1: Yes. Yeah, the romances are starting to pick up. Interestingly, the beginning part of the year, usually we start to see really good romances starting April, May. And I feel like this year it's really been later May and June, where we're starting to see most of the romances coming out. Kirsten Baritz: Interestingly, the beginning part of the year, usually we start to see really good romances starting April, May, and I feel like this year it's really been later May and June when we're starting to see most of the romances coming out. I agree with that. ⁓ speaking of a June romance, ⁓ Romantics, GMA Pick, Ashley Postin's got a new one coming out too. Yeah. In-person participant 1: Yes, I I actually just started this one and I'm loving it. It's someday garden. ⁓ seems to be ⁓ It is about a gardener in ⁓ very ⁓ garden has started to go downhill, and ⁓ she there as the head gardener just for the summer, and she meets a man and ⁓ She's very confused because she meets him. It's through like a secret door and then he's not there. So it it gives me a lot of secret garden feels, but if it was a romance. you go wrong with Ashley Postin books. I'm obsessed with her also. Yes. ⁓ Yes. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: And then he's not there, so it it gives me a lot of secret garden feels. But if it was a romance, you cannot go wrong with Ashley Postin books. ⁓ I'm obsessed with her. That's another one that have ranked and in order and all of that on the website because I think you've read all them because they have a little bit of that magical realism element to it. ⁓ In-person participant 1: They do, they do, and they're just delightful and feel good. And I I love reading a romance where you're not having that negativity. It's just an uplifting sweet story. Kirsten Baritz: Reading romance where you're not having that negativity. It's just an uplifting sweet story. final two here, I've saved the for last. I know which ones you're gonna my one of my most anticipated books of the entire year is The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson. I loved ⁓ In-person participant 1: I n I know which ones you're gonna say. Pineapple Street. Thank you. I was like, What was it? It was the GMA? Kirsten Baritz: Pineapple Street. Thank you. I was like, what was it? It was the GMA pick. I'm picturing the cover. I'm totally blanking. I loved Pineapple Street. I loved Pineapple Street. It was a fabulous cover. It was a family saga. I love a family saga. It was about, you know, an a new woman who marries into a family. and this one, okay. Prepare yourself. It's about a beached town. There's a close click of friends. One girl moves in, she marries. In-person participant 1: Юла Пінапл стріт Палстріталась а фаблос ковер. Kirsten Baritz: ⁓ one of the the friends she's now in the friend circle she finds out that the man that she loves is like has gotten a different woman pregnant and so she's like ha I'm gonna blow everybody's life up and she starts telling everybody secrets so yes yes I just think it's gonna be so good the cover is absolutely gorgeous it screams beach read season it's a woman from the back in a bathing suit on the beach in a beach chair it In-person participant 1: So she's like, ha! I'm gonna blow everybody's life up. And she starts telling everybody secrets. So I just think it's gonna be so good. The cover is absolutely gorgeous. It screams beach read season. Yes. It's a woman from the back in a bathing suit on the beach in a beach chair. I literally just downloaded it yesterday. It comes out at the very end of this month, but I am starting it. They gave me access yesterday, I'm starting it tonight. Kirsten Baritz: I literally just downloaded it yesterday. It comes out at the very end of this month, but I am starting it. They gave me access yesterday I'm starting it tonight. So I I this is one of my most anticipated for the entire year. You've been talking about this one for ages. So ⁓ I begging for this one. In-person participant 1: This is one of my most year. You've been talking about this one for ages, so we'll be hearing all about it. the last one. Okay, she is an icon. Kirsten Baritz: Okay, she is an icon. ⁓ yeah. ⁓ yeah. Wait, ⁓ former Reese Pick twice for Tom Lake and Story of a Happy Marriage. Jenna pick for the Dutch House. Who are we talking about, Jackie? In-person participant 1: Wait, ⁓ former Reese pick twice for Tom Lake and Story of the House. Jenna picked for the Dutch House. Who are we talking about, Jess? We are talking about Anne Patchett. Kirsten Baritz: Yes we are. Whistler. In-person participant 1: I mean, let's just be honest. I don't think she can do any wrong Kirsten Baritz: ⁓ I agree. ⁓ you know, our favorite owner of ⁓ Main Point Books, which is our local bookstore around here, said it was fantastic. She's already read it. We both have downloaded. We haven't had a chance to read it yet. I think it's gonna be like she's an autobi. She's an you gotta just Yes. You gotta read her books. She's a phenomenal writer. ⁓ I am convinced that your first Ann Patchett book was. It's your favorite. Yes. What was your first one? Belcanto. ⁓ Mine was Commonwealth. In-person participant 1: She's an autobique. She's an auto you gotta It's your favorite. Yes. What was your first one? Bel Canto. Mine was common law. I loved Bel Canto so much. I think that's the thing. And it doesn't matter which book you've read. Whatever is your first, that's your favorite. It is your favorite. Kirsten Baritz: I loved Commonwealth. I think that's the thing. And it doesn't matter which book you've read. No. Whatever is your first, that's your favorite. It is your favorite because you're like, ⁓ my God, I didn't know this level of storytelling, writing could be done. Her books are never a million pages. They are they are a study and restraint in getting your plot in and doing it in a way that evokes emotion and doing it succinctly. Like she just crushes it. In-person participant 1: They are a study and restraint in getting your plot in and doing it in a way that makes emotion and doing it succinctly. Like she just Well, I mean she had Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep. I mean, if you are getting the absolute greats to narrate your books, you know that you are killing it. Like zero edits. No, no. Kirsten Baritz: Meryl Streep, I mean if you are getting the absolute greats to narrate your books. You know that you are killing it. You ⁓ absolutely like zero edits. No, no. Tom Hanks reading the Dodge House. Iconic. Meryl Streep with Tom Lake. Right. Talk Meryl Streep, one of the best actresses ever talking about what it was like to be in Summerstock in like that's what the story's about. Are you kidding me? Right. This is iconic level narration. In-person participant 1: Meryl Streep? Right. Right. Meryl Streep, one of the best actresses ever on the planet ever. What it was like to be in Summerstock in like that's what the story's about. Are you kidding me? Right. You know what I wonder? And I bet you she doesn't she's one of the ones that doesn't need an editor. not. And you know she owns her own books basically. Yes, ⁓ my Parnassus books. Kirsten Baritz: Probably not. And you know she owns her own bookstore. Yes, ⁓ Pronastas books. She is royalty in the book world. And so this is like the most anticipated on everyone's list. This is gonna skyrocket on the New York Times bestseller. Just Right. It's happening. And for good reason. Absolutely. It In-person participant 1: This is like the most anticipated one. Everyone's like, this is gonna skyrocket on the New York Times bestseller. Just Right and And for good reason. I mean it doesn't Kirsten Baritz: Do want to know who the narrator is for this one? I do. Anne Patchett. ⁓ my god. She's doing it herself. Yes. ⁓ a woman and her husband are walking through the Met ⁓ and someone follows her. In-person participant 1: Do you to know who the narrator is for this one? I do. And Patchet. ⁓ my god. She's doing it herself. Yes! Kirsten Baritz: And she like turns around and it is her former stepdad from when she was nine for like a brief period of time. Yes, now I remember. And apparently it's about like the their their meeting, their time together was very profound. It had an impact on both of them. And so it's about choices that were made and choices that were made for them ⁓ their reconnection. sounds so good. ⁓ I don't know what the horse has to with anything, but I guess we're gonna find out. In-person participant 1: And someone follows her and she like turns around and it is her former step perhaps when she was nine for like a brief period of time. Yes, now I remember ⁓ It sounds so good. I don't know what the horse has to do with anything, but I can't find out. now we the bookmark, and once again, Kirsten has props. Kirsten Baritz: my pick is Alan Ops Out. It was sent my way by Little Brown and Co. And I just, ⁓ it not really on my radar. but the cover and the description had me like, huh, okay. Kind of sounds a little gunkle-esque. ⁓ Alan is a very successful advertising executive. He owns his own firm and he's going after the dairy industry. He wants to like, you remember you got milk? You remember those amazing campaigns? He wants to bring like, he wants to make milk popular again. There's all these In-person participant 1: Description had me like, huh, okay. Kind of sounds a little gongles-esque. ⁓ Alan is ⁓ a very successful advertising executive. He owns his own firm and he's going after the dairy industry. Okay. Remember you got milk? You remember those amazing campaigns? He wants to it make milk popular again. There's all these nut milks out there. Kirsten Baritz: Nut milk's out there. He needs to like help the dairy industry. He loses the account in sort of a very iconic, crazy, life-changing way. And he's like, you know what? Consumerism is over. I'm out. I'm gonna move into the playhouse. He's got like a Connecticut mansion by the sound. And he's like, I'm gonna move into the playhouse in the back and live off the land and not come in. He's like, I'm done with consumerism. Meanwhile, his wife, okay. ⁓ Is trying to get into the Queen Ants, which is like the social elite of like think the D A R. Okay. She's got these pop-up events where she has to like all of a sudden do flower making. She's gotta throw like an over-the-top party. And her husband is out here barefoot, like like a grizzly bear, not shaving, bathing in the sound, totally throwing off her game as she's the biggest overconsumer on the planet. All we're talking about is like. In-person participant 1: Meanwhile, his wife, okay, is trying to get into the Queen Anne's, which like the social elite of like think the D A R. Okay. She's got these pop-up events where she has to like all of a sudden do flower making. She's gotta throw like an over-the-top party. And her husband is out here barefoot, like like a grizzly bear, not shaded, bathing in the sound, totally throwing off her game because she's the biggest overconsumer on the Kirsten Baritz: All the boxes that are brought in, he's becoming friends with like the UPS driver. It is outrageous. There are two daughters. Their daughters, one is like a drama major and she's causing drama. The other can maybe talk to animals. ⁓ don't even know. ⁓ hilarious. They end up with a pet lobster. I it sounds like it shouldn't work. I was so thoroughly entertained by this story. ⁓ In-person participant 1: It sounds like it shouldn't work. I was so thoroughly entertained by this story. This sounds amazing. It's like I love, love, love a quirky book. This sounds fantastic. Kirsten Baritz: Quirky book. This sale was fantastic. It was the family dynamic was hilarious. It's set in the summertime. I mean, it's all like around Memorial Day to 4th of July. Okay, so it's totally, you should read it in the summertime. It's just, it's so funny. And there's these chapters in the middle. Okay, I gotta find them, that are like the group thread from the Facebook page, and it's everyone like complaining about like In-person participant 1: that are like the group read from the Facebook page and it's everyone like complaining. Kirsten Baritz: You know, did you register your Fourth of July Memorial Day decorations? It's such a fun romp read. That is so much fun. It's totally different than anything you've read before. Very unique, and I absolutely love it. So thank you, Little Brown, for sending it my way. I love Little Brown. I know. Sally puts the best things on my radar. Sounds fantastic. I always love it when we are alerted to some of the books. In-person participant 1: You know, did you register your fourth of July Memorial State? ⁓ my goodness. It's such a fun rom read. That is so much fun. ⁓ I love little brown. That's fantastic. I always love it when we are alerted to some of the books that might not necessarily be like the big books, but are fantastic. This one came with Kirsten Baritz: That might not necessarily be like the big books, but are fantastic. This one came with little mini sample of perfume. They sent me an influencer box. ⁓ Came a some sample of perfume called Touch Grass, which is ⁓ so appropriate this. It came with I was just showing Jackie, they sent us a guide that came with like recipes for how to make the deviled eggs, because heaven forbid you don't put a little garnish on your deviled eggs, okay? In-person participant 1: All about that playlist. Kirsten Baritz: And there's a playlist. I mean, they really, they really crushed this entire reading experience for me. but I got it on a Friday and I'm already done it. ⁓ finished it in one day. So it's a it's a good one. That is so much fun. So ⁓ In-person participant 1: It's a it's a good one. That is so much our question for you ⁓ is, and can just leave it in the comments. ⁓ what beach are you looking forward to reading over the next few weeks? Are there any of the books from the celebrity book clubs authors that are coming out that you're looking forward to reading? We just want to know what's on your radar, so you can leave it in the comments. And next week. Kirsten Baritz: Question for you is, and you can just leave it in the comments. what beach reads are you looking forward to reading over the next few weeks? Are there any of the books from the celebrity book clubs authors that are coming out that you're looking forward to reading? We just want to know what's on your radar, so you can leave it in the comments. ⁓ next week we will be back talking about ⁓ guide to the ultimate beach reads of 2026. Which is an amazing, amazing list. In-person participant 1: Which is an amazing, amazing list. Kirsten Baritz: like, follow and subscribe. We will see you next week. ⁓ In-person participant 1: See you next week. Happy reading.