13 Books I’ve Loved + 6 June Adaptations I Can’t Wait to Watch
Fresh picks for your June TBR and watchlist—13 standout reads I loved that are coming out this month, plus 6 buzzworthy new book-to-screen adaptations.
Weekend Edition: Start your weekend with curated book lists, reading tips, and lifestyle inspiration delivered every Friday.
Start Your Weekend Right: 13 Books I’ve Read & Loved + 6 June Adaptations to Bookmark 📚
Hi Bookish Besties,
Summer reading season is in full swing—even though the official first day of summer isn’t until Friday, June 20th! If you haven’t already, be sure to grab your copy of The 2025 Summer Reading Guide—it’s packed with 45 standout books, fun extras, and plenty of ways to make this your best reading season yet.
And since today is the first Friday of June, I’m back with our monthly what to read and watch list. Let me tell you—June is an absolutely stellar month for new books. Narrowing today’s list down to just 13 titles was no easy task! But no worries—you’ll be getting even more summer book goodness soon. The Shortlist (my full list of books I read and loved while creating the Summer Reading Guide) plus a special round-up of books coming out in June and July will be hitting your inbox in Tuesday’s Journal newsletter—so stay tuned.
But first: here are 13 books and 6 adaptations absolutely worth bookmarking this month. Whether you’re ready to dive into a great read or cozy up with your watchlist, I’ve got you covered. Let’s go!
P.S. If you haven’t already, download your copy of The 2025 Summer Reading Guide:
13 Books I Read and Loved This June
From unputdownable mysteries to tender romances and inventive literary fiction, here are the standout books I devoured, coming out this month—each one perfect for adding to your summer TBR.
Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin
A son of a Black elite family spirals after tragedy and arrest, forcing him to confront privilege, grief and the messy intersections of wealth, identity, and self-destruction. Readers can expect a deep, introspective dive into how circumstances and choices shape us.
Kakigori Summer by Emily Itami
Three estranged sisters reunite in their rural hometown to shield their pop star sibling from scandal—only to confront shared grief and complicated pasts. This tender, bittersweet novel explores family dynamics, memory, and healing with wistful summer energy and vibrant sibling bonds.
The Catch by Yrsa Daley-Ward
When one sister believes she’s spotted their long-dead mother, a fraught reunion between estranged twins unravels. Told in shifting perspectives, this haunting, elegant debut explores trauma, sisterhood, and the slippery nature of memory and identity.
Hazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross
When a brave teenage girl rejects her principal’s proposition, her family is thrust into a storm of small-town scandal. This gripping, emotionally layered novel shows Hazel’s fight for justice and the resilience of a family navigating trauma, shame, and the power of community.
The Accidental Favorite by Fran Littlewood
A viral family moment—when a father saves one daughter but not the others—fractures three adult sisters and forces them to confront old wounds. Moving between perspectives and timelines, this warm, wise story celebrates sisterhood, forgiveness, and the complexities of family love.
A Promise to Arlette by Serena Burdick
Haunted by a wartime betrayal, a former French resistance fighter turned suburban American mom embarks on a cross-country journey to confront her past. Rich with historical intrigue and moral complexity, this novel explores guilt, courage, and the cost of survival. Click here to read an excerpt from A Promise to Arlette by Serena Burdick.
Fan Favorite by Adrienne Gunn
A reality TV superfan impulsively joins the cast of her ex’s dating show—and sparks fly with her and the reluctant showrunner. Full of humor, heart, and pop culture Easter eggs, this delightful rom-com captures one woman’s search for love, identity, and second chances.
Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
A burned-out songwriter and a former boy band bad boy form a psychic connection through a half-finished song. This whimsical, emotional romance beautifully blends magical realism, grief, and creative rebirth into a tender story of two artists finding their way back to love.
When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa
A flirty friends-to-lovers rom-com where one man-of-honor secretly tries to break up his best friend’s wedding—only to confront his own feelings. Filled with banter and heartfelt tension, this charming romance explores second chances, vulnerability, and the messy joy of falling in love.
Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong
A viral TV moment reunites a romance novelist with the NHL star who once humiliated her—now they must fake-date to salvage their public images. This delightful, fast-paced rom-com delivers smart humor, sizzling chemistry, and a deeply satisfying redemption arc for both characters.
Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman
When a widow unexpectedly wins the lottery, her dream cruise turns deadly after a dinner companion is murdered. Part cozy mystery, part jet-setting adventure, this charming tale celebrates late-in-life reinvention, friendship, and the thrill of an amateur sleuth outsmarting danger.
A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant
A richly layered cozy mystery follows a Jamaican woman in England who’s pulled back into community politics—and an old detective role—after a suspicious death dredges up secrets from decades past. Expect a warm, character-driven story full of heart, humor, and cultural depth, complete with mouth-watering recipes and a heroine you’ll absolutely root for.
The Möbius Book by Catherine Lacey
Blending memoir and fiction, this genre-defying novel follows two women—one grieving her failed marriage, one unnerved by a possible next-door murder. A haunting, lyrical meditation on loss, love, and the unknowable nature of memory, it lingers long after the final page.
6 Book Adaptations Worth Watching This June
While I haven’t watched these yet myself, I always keep a list of upcoming adaptations to explore. These six caught my eye this month—whether you’re in the mood for a sweeping period drama, a buzzy BookTok favorite, or a heart-pounding Marvel adventure.
The Life of Chuck
(In theaters June 6). Based on Stephen King’s novella from If It Bleeds, this adaptation tells the story of Charles Krantz in reverse—from the world unraveling at his death to the hopeful, haunting moments of his childhood. We’re told to expect a deeply personal, time-bending reflection on memory, life, and legacy.
The Survivors
(Streaming on Netflix June 6). Jane Harper’s atmospheric seaside thriller comes to life in this new limited series. After returning to his small hometown years after a tragic accident, Kieran Elliott is pulled into a present-day murder mystery. We are told to expect long-buried secrets surfacing in this broody, slow-burn whodunit set on Australia’s windswept coast.
How to Train Your Dragon
(In theaters June 11). A beloved middle-grade fantasy takes flight in this live-action adaptation of Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon. When awkward Viking teen Hiccup forms an unlikely bond with a feared Night Fury dragon, the two challenge everything their warring worlds believe. This one promises action, heart, and stunning visuals, perfect for the whole family.
The Buccaneers (Season 2)
(Streaming on Apple TV+ June 18). The glamorous American heiresses return! Building on Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel, season two of The Buccaneersfollows Nan, Jinny, Conchita, and Lizzy as they navigate scandal, romance, and power games in upper-crust British society. Expect lush settings and plenty of juicy drama.
We Were Liars
(Streaming on Prime Video June 18). Based on E. Lockhart’s BookTok-favorite novel, this buzzy adaptation follows Cadence Sinclair as she tries to piece together haunting memories of one fateful summer. We’re promised a twisty, emotional psychological thriller about privilege, love, and lies—perfect for binge-watching.
Ironheart
(Streaming on Disney+ June 24). Marvel’s next rising star gets her own series! Genius MIT inventor Riri Williams—first introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever—steps into her Ironheart armor to face new villains and challenges. With big tech, heart, and a coming-of-age vibe, this promises to be a must-watch for superhero fans.
More Summer Bookish Goodness to Explore
The 2025 Summer Reading Guide — From heart-pounding thrillers to eye-opening nonfiction, browse the lists.
The 2025 Minimalist Summer Reading List — Ten best books from the full summer guide.
2025 Summer Reading Challenge — Five fun prompts to keep your reading fresh and playful all season long.
Classic Books to Read in Summer — Timeless reads that feel especially magical in the summer months.
Seasonal Living Ideas for Summer — Embrace the season with joyful, mindful lifestyle ideas.
Ultimate Summer Bucket List — 50 fun, budget-friendly activities to try in 2025.
Literary Calendar
June is Pride Month, Audiobook Appreciation Month, National Caribbean American Heritage Month.
June 6th 1606: Pierre Corneille is born. Popular works include: Le Cid, Horace, Cinna, Polyeucte.
June 7th 1933: Max Eastman published “Bull in the Afternoon,” a retrospective article attacking Ernest Hemingway’s craft. This enraged Hemingway and eventually led to Hemingway slapping Eastman's face with a book when he saw him in the offices of Charles Scribner's Sons publishers.
June 10th: Ball Point Pen Day. Ballpoint Pen Day recognizes the practical writing utensil and commemorates the anniversary of the patent filing on June 10, 1943, by brothers Laszlo and Gyorgy Biro.
June 10th 1928: Maurice Sendak is born. Popular works include: Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen.
June 12th 1829: Johanna Spyri is born. Popular works include: Heidi.
June 12th 1929: Anne Frank is born. Popular works include: The Diary of a Young Girl.
June 12th 1932: Rona Jaffe is born. Popular works include: The Best of Everything, Mazes and Monsters.
June 13th 1865: William Butler Yeats is born. Popular works include: The Second Coming, Leda and the Swan, Easter 1916, These are the Clouds, An Irish Airman Foresees His Death, The Stolen Child, Sailing to Byzantium.
June 13th, 1888: Fernando Pessoa is born. Popular works include: As She Passes, At Times I Have, Crown Me with Roses, Hate You, Christ, I Do Not, I Am Tired, I Have a Terrible Cold, I Know, I Alone, If, After I Die.
June 13th 1893: Dorothy L. Sayers is born. Popular works include: Whose Body?, The Nine Tailors, Strong Poison, Murder Must Advertise, Have His Carcase, Gaudy Night, Busman's Honeymoon.
☀️ Final Thoughts
I hope something on today’s list finds its way onto your nightstand, library holds list, or streaming queue. And remember—this is just the beginning! More June and July book picks are coming in Tuesday’s Journal, so make sure you’re subscribed (and tell a bookish friend, too).
As always, if you loved this list, I’d be so grateful if you shared this email with a friend or fellow reader. Restacking also works too. Sharing helps keep the Weekend Edition free, and it helps me keep curating these lists for you each week. PLUS you get rewarded when someone subscribes using the link you shared.
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Happy reading and watching,
Victoria
P.S. Mark your calendar and join us for June’s BYOB Club meeting Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at 7 pm ET. Bring a book you've read during the past month and share it with us.
