Summer is here, and it’s hard to believe we’re already halfway into 2025. It has been a phenomenal year for local authors at Word After Word Books, so we wanted to highlight our very own homegrown writers for your summer reading enjoyment. Whether you’re a beach-reader craving a bubbly romance or a gripping thriller to transport you, or a nonfiction reader who likes to learn even when school is out, we’ve got an array of recommendations for you. Here are a few:
Saltwater by Katy Hays
New York Times Bestselling author of The Cloisters (a Word After Word Books staff favorite) is back with Saltwater, a twisty thriller set in coastal Italy. The novel weaves together the past and present of an opulent old-money family: the mysterious death of Sarah Lindgate in Capri in 1992, and, 30 years later, her daughter Helen trying to escape the oppressive patriarchs of her family. Hays has a talent for transporting her readers — her vivid descriptions of Capri will bring you to its cliffs and azure waters right alongside her characters. Saltwater is perfect for fans of HBO’s White Lotus and Succession (aka those who revel, from a safe distance, in the unfolding problems of the ostentatiously wealthy).
The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis
The latest book by local romance author and New York Times Bestseller Jill Shalvis is the perfect read for a day at the lake. When Lexi returns home after years away, she unexpectedly encounters her past in the form of her old nemesis/crush, the infuriatingly gorgeous Heath Bowman. Although she’s tempted to leave immediately, Lexi is home to honor her late mother’s wish; exactly 1 year after her mother’s passing, Lexi is meant to make amends with people her mother wronged, and her stepsister is determined to make her see this through. The Love Fix takes its characters and readers through complex emotions of forgiveness, acceptance, family relationships, and, of course, love. Set in Sunset Cove (a fictionalized town on Lake Tahoe), there’s fun, laughter, and nostalgia to be found.
Snow Fleas and Chickadees: Everyday Observations in the Sierra by Eve Quesnel, illustrated
by Anne Chadwick
Whether you’ve lived in Truckee for three decades or you’re just visiting, you’ve got something to learn from Eve Quesnel’s lovely collection of short nature essays. Quesnel invites readers to stroll with her on her morning coffee walks in the Sierra Nevada and notice the little things that make this place special. She covers everything from birds to bears, trees to plants, to oft-overlooked and underappreciated wonders like algae, spider webs, and mushrooms. Written with the eloquence of a writer and the research of a scientist, this collection guarantees you’ll have all sorts of fun facts to wow your friends on your next group hike.
The Darling of the Black Rock Desert by Laura Newman
In this collection of three novellas, Newman takes her readers on a wild ride through the 20th-century American West: first, 100 miles north of Reno to Black Rock Desert in the 1960s, then Los Angeles in the 1980s, and finally to Death Valley over a span of decades toward the end of the century. Newman was deeply inspired by her time in the Black Rock Desert, when the playa cemented itself in her heart as a place she knew she wanted to write about. Full of quirky characters and irresistible family connections, these stories are bittersweet in the best way. Close to home yet far different from the places we know today, you’ll be immersed in each novella.
Fire and Forgiveness: The Cindy Ames Story by Andrea Neptune
In this biography, Sierra College professor Andrea Neptune captures the traumatic but ultimately inspirational journey of the courageously compassionate Cindy Ames. In 1982, Cindy was an ER nurse at Tahoe Forest Hospital when she and her young son escaped a housefire through the third-story window of their home near Donner Lake. The book reads like a thriller: How did the fire start? Was there foul play? Discover how, against the odds, Cindy overcomes her injuries with the support of family and caregivers. A must-read for anyone in the medical profession, Fire and Forgiveness is a story of determination that will touch the hearts of any reader.
Pale Flesh of Wood by
Elizabeth A. Tucker
Sixth-generation Californian Elizabeth Tucker blends historical fiction and multigenerational drama in her debut novel, The Pale Flesh of Wood. Charles Hawkins returns home to Northern California from WWII and takes his own life. We then follow three generations of Hawkins women — his daughter, Laya; his wife, Louise; and his mother, Caroline — as they navigate their grief, grapple with their own demons, and attempt to salvage the remains of their family. Tucker is also a poet and playwright, and the blend of her skills shines in her fiction; her prose is lyrical with poetic cadence and her dialogue is quick, textured, and portrays depth-of-character with the sensibility of a playwright.
For Kids
The Very Wise Lake by Leah Vis
After accidentally ruining her neighbor’s newly woven basket, Loda learns the values of honesty and communication from Lake Tahoe and the animals around it. Illustrated characters are incorporated into stunning photos of the lake to tell this story about owning up to your mistakes. The blend of storytelling with histories of the lake and its native people will inspire young readers to be pure and deep, just like the waters of Tahoe. The Very Wise Lake is a beautiful picture book for families hoping to learn more about Tahoe or just looking for a good story to enjoy together.
~ Word After Word Books, your local Truckee/Tahoe bookshop, is excited to share its favorite book recommendations. Located in historic downtown Truckee, it offers a handpicked selection of books with an emphasis on local interests. It carries a range of indie bestsellers in fiction and non-fiction, and the Kids’ Room is amazing. It’s also home to Truckee’s vinyl record store, Rock Cellar Records. Learn more at wordafterwordbooks.com.
