More than 40 summer book recommendations from Raleigh booksellers, interviews with three North Carolina authors, and the best local spots to read them.
by Kendall Campos, Bailey Garrison, Ayn-Monique Klahre & Luca Muehlbauer
photograph by Joshua Steadman
Many of us start summer with good intentions of reading more — but it’s not uncommon to wake up in August and realize you haven’t gotten through a single book. That’s OK: there’s still time! Over the following pages, we’ve gathered more than 40 recommendations for great reads from local booksellers, and we also spoke to three North Carolina authors about their recent debuts. All of this should get you pumped for your next book to read on vacation. And if you don’t have a trip planned? No problem. We’ve got a list of great local spots to settle in with a coffee or beverage and disconnect while you dive in. Read on!
Three Debut North Carolina Authors
We sat down with three North Carolina natives who have books debuting this year. Check out their full interviews to learn about their writing processes, journeys to being published and the NC roots that inspired them. Port Anna by Libby Buck is a novel that transports the reader to the harsh, magical coasts of Maine. Service Ready by Molly Irani is a memoir and survival guide that traces the origins of this restaurateur’s award-winning restaurant group. Murder Bites by Mimi Montgomery is a cozy murder mystery featuring designer dogs, Botox and zany celebrations in a small Southern town.
Book Recommendations from Raleigh Booksellers
Our local independent booksellers love sharing their recommendations and have a wide range of books for all readers. Beach reads, history, fantasy, poetry, classics and everything in between… Read on to fill your summer TBR.
So & So Books co-owner Chris Tonelli shares niche current reads and longtime favorites.
Enoch Marchant recommends Southern fiction and thought-provoking stories from Nice Price Books & Records.
Ginger Kauts of Quail Ridge Books has the perfect list for readers of all genres, including murder mystery, fantasy and history.
Owner of Cary’s brand-new bookstore, Juliet Books & Beautiful Things, Marcie Montague talks about the latest books she couldn’t put down.
Hannah Brunswick, co-owner of Blackbird Books & Coffee, recommends poetry, thrillers and thought-provoking reads from minority authors.
The founder and creative director of Liberation Station, North Carolina’s first Black-owned children’s bookstore, Victoria Scott-Miller recommends her favorite stories by and about Black women.
Colleen Gross and the bookselling team at Dog-Eared Books share their go-to beach reads, classics and North Carolina authors.
Susannah Baird of Bright Side Books & Wine recommends her favorite love stories, from wholesome romances to sweeping fantasy epics.
Best Raleigh Spots to Read a Book
And when you have your next summer read in hand, we’ve collected a list of the best best wine shops, bars and cafes in Raleigh that are book-friendly, perfect for a solo reading date or your book club’s next meeting. Check out the full list here, and happy reading!
The linked articles were first published in the August 2026 issue of WALTER Magazine.
