Here are 13 summer book recommendations from 4 Baton Rouge area booksellers

Between beach reads and road trips, summer is prime reading time.

See what these Baton Rouge local booksellers recommend for their favorite page-turners for the sunny season.聽

Cavalier House Books, 114 N Range Ave., Denham Springs

"When the Tides Held the Moon," by Venessa Vida Kelley:聽This queer cozy fantasy is a perfect summer read. Two characters fall in love, but how long can they stay together when one is a merman in captivity and the other is trying to break him out? Read this for a dose of forbidden romance and self-love.
"The Knight and the Moth," by Rachel Gillig: Cavailier says聽this novel is "Nothing short of enchanting. Rachel Gillig's writing has a way of transporting me alongside her characters and holding me in a trance in a world with a dreamlike, mythical atmosphere that promises something sinister just beneath its surface. This story is one that鈥檚 going to linger inside of me for a long while."

"Sunburn," by聽Chloe Michelle Howarth: Howarth's book is a sun-drenched coming-of-age story that uses lush prose and vibes to explore the growing pains of discovering one's sexuality.
"The Black Girl Survives in This One," by Desiree S. Evans and Saraciea J. Fennell: Cavalier says reading this book made her want to circle up around a campfire with her friends and share each story with them. "Prepare to be terrified and left breathless by the pieces in this anthology," Cavalier said. "Desiree S. Evans has curated a truly spine-chilling collection full of great writing, spooky stories and the power for Black girls."

11917 Ferdinand St., St. Francisville

"The River Knows Your Name," by Kelly Mustian:聽Set in two timelines, the 1930s and 1970s, this novel tells the story of two sisters, Nell and Evie, and the memories they hold of their mysterious childhood. When the two girls find a birth certificate belonging to their mother, they are very confused. It lists a stranger as Evie鈥檚 mother. The girls decide to keep it a secret. Decades later, when clues start piling up and memories fall together, the whole story is revealed.

"Gus and Glory," by Sarah Guillory:聽From the award-winning 抖阴h author that brought us "Nowhere Better than Here," this new story tells the tale of a young girl who finds herself sent to small-town 抖阴h to live with her grandparents. Feeling lonely and confused, she goes for a walk and meets a slobbery sweet bloodhound. She finds friends, purpose, happiness and more family. It's perfect for the 8- to 12-year-old set.
"The Knights of Wade," by Michael Strecker: Couhig says the moment she saw the cover of this 抖阴h book, it reminded her of "A Confederacy of Dunces." In this debut novel by two-time Tennessee Williams Festival finalist and standup comedian Michael Strecker, an unforgettable cast of characters are at times funny, and at times ridiculous set in a story simultaneously outlandish, relatable and even poignant.

聽3829 Government St., Baton Rouge

"The Wedding People," by Alison Espach:聽Fans of Liane Moriarty or Emily Henry will enjoy Alison Espach. This book is ideal for readers who enjoy characters undergoing emotional introspection at a crossroads in their lives. Phoebe arrives at a luxury hotel with the intention of ending her life. However, her plans are disrupted when she is mistaken for a guest at a lavish wedding taking place at the hotel, and she becomes entangled with the wedding party, particularly the bride, Lila.

"Atmosphere," by Taylor Jenkins Reid:聽Taylor Jenkins Reid has written about a variety of very different worlds, and each time she manages to fully immerse her readers in the intricacies of these worlds. This time, the focus is on NASA's space program set in 1980s culture. Two astronauts form an unlikely friendship and challenge each other's notion of what they thought they knew about love and space exploration.
"We Were Liars," by E. Lockhart:聽The TV series for this book just premiered on Prime, so it's a perfect time to read the book and then binge the series. The young adult novel "We Were Liars" tells the story of a beautiful and powerful family during a summer on a private island. A group of friends, the Liars, have an incredibly close friendship that turns destructive. There鈥檚 an accident, there are secrets, lies and more lies.

7276 Highland Road, Baton Rouge

"Today Tonight and Tomorrow," by Rachel Lynn Solomon:聽This young adult romance takes place at the brink of summer. It鈥檚 the last day of senior year for Rowan and Neil, who have been rivals throughout their entire high school careers. The two characters keep bumping into each other, and even sometimes teaming up, for their high school鈥檚 senior tradition: a scavenger-hunt type game called Howl that takes them on missions all around Seattle.
"My Friends," by Fredrik Backman: Freeman says聽Fredrik Backman is "one of my all-time favorite authors. His latest novel, "My Friends," is no exception to Backman鈥檚 greatness. He somehow knows how to write what鈥檚 at the core of all of our souls, using words that are stark and spare, yet beautifully prosaic." This is a novel in translation, as Backman resides in Sweden. He draws upon the strong bonds of friendship among characters past and present. He explores found family and tragic loss.
"Battle of the Bookstores," by Ali Brady: "This recent release was just pure fun, especially for me as a new bookstore owner," Freeman said. Josie is the manager at Tabula Inscripta, a bookstore filled with serious, literary tomes. Next door, Ryan manages a bookstore that sells romance only, appropriately named Happy Endings." Their clientele doesn't mix until the landlord decides to combine their spaces into one. The two bookstore managers must compete for a single position, while also battling their feelings for each other.

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