Need a break from screens? Forget worrying about downloading shows or using spotty inflight Wi-Fi and spring for one of these new books to read instead.
New Books to Download
Here are the hottest new titles to find at the airport bookstore—or on Amazon—this summer.
The Outsider, Stephen King
The newest horror novel by It and The Shining author Stephen King, The Outsider quickly became a bestseller after its release in May. It’s less supernatural and more crime oriented, though, making The Outsider one of the best new books to read if you’re a crime story addict.
What People Are Saying: “As with most of King’s work, The Outsider is at its heart an exploration of good and evil; except this time, skepticism blurs the lines between the two. Terry Maitland is by all accounts a solid family man, a beloved Little League coach, and, quite suddenly, the main suspect in the horrific mutilation and murder of a young boy.” –The Washington Post
The Summer Sail: A Novel, Wendy Francis
Cruise lover? Mentally hop a ship to Bermuda with The Summer Sail, which reunites three college roommates on a vacation that, despite the escapist scenery, gets messy thanks to old rivalries and new secrets.
What People Are Saying: “As the balmy pink shores of Bermuda come into view, tensions simmer, and old jealousies flare, sending the temperature from soothing to scorching in this engrossing tale of three best friends on a vacation they won’t soon forget—but not for the reasons they expect.” –Goodreads
Calypso, David Sedaris
Another new big-name novel to hit stands this summer, Calypso is essayist David Sedaris’s newest laugh-inducing collection of insights, told through a family beach vacation.
What People Are Saying: “With this tenth book, Sedaris demonstrates yet again what makes him the best American humorist writing today: a remarkable ability to combine the personal with the political, the mundane with the profane, slime with sublime, and hilarity with heart.” –NPR
Ghosted, Rosie Walsh
A relationship tale for the modern age, Ghosted sees Sarah through seven days of falling in love followed by a mysterious disappearance of her love interest. This new book comes with a twist.
What People Are Saying: “Fast-paced, eerie, and surprisingly profound . . . Walsh pairs a plot worthy of Ruth Ware with a Bridget Jones–esque cast for a mystery that ends with fireworks.” —Martha Stewart Living
Need to Know: A Novel, Karen Cleveland
A new book to read if you’re seeking a thrilling C.I.A. spy story, Need to Know has been heralded as a page-turner since its release last year, and was recently re-released after being scooped up by Universal Pictures for a movie starring Charlize Theron.
What People Are Saying: “So timely . . . Think of the perfect mix of Homeland and The Americans … Need to Know needs to be read by all who relish spy novels. As entertaining as it is informative and as irresistible as it is impossible to put down.”—The Providence Journal
The Summer Wives: A Novel, Beatriz Williams
A new book that’s sure to be on airport bookstore shelves thanks to its bestselling author Beatriz Williams, The Summer Wives will take you back in time to a 1950s summer on a wealthy New England island where a murder interrupts the seasonal wedding revelry.
What People Are Saying: “This rich and romantic tale has twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your cabana chair. Just don’t forget the sunscreen.” –USA Today
The Incendiaries: A Novel, R. O. Kwon
Heading to an elite college and falling in love can be complicated, but a brand new book, The Incendiaries, takes it to a whole new level by throwing in a cult for good measure.
What People Are Saying: “Religion, politics, and love collide in this slim but powerful novel reminiscent of Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, with menace and mystery lurking in every corner.” –People Magazine
More from SmarterTravel:
- The Best Travel Books and Their Real Life Destinations
- 10 Best Books for Long Flights
- 8 Best Beach Reads for 2018
SmarterTravel Editor Shannon McMahon writes about all things travel, and is always looking for the best new books for the plane. Follow her on Instagram at @shanmcmahon.
We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
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