Summer reads with ties to Indianapolis, Indiana

Stop by Beyond Barcodes Bookstore to start your summer reading. | Photo by INDYtoday team

Stop by Beyond Barcodes Bookstore to start your summer reading. | Photo by INDYtoday team

The end of May means the beginning of summer (which officially starts on June 21 but who’s counting), so we’re ready to break out the bug spray, grill, and sunscreen.

It’s also time to figure out what your next pool or beach read is, so we’ve compiled six recently released reads by authors with ties to Indianapolis + Indiana to get you started.

  • Booth” by Karen Joy Fowler | This historical fiction novel brings to life John Wilkes Booth and his family.
  • Dear Black Girl: Letters From Your Sisters on Stepping Into Your Power” by Tamara Winfrey Harris | A collection of inspiring letters written by Black women with messages to young Black girls.
  • Savage Tongues” by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi | A woman must confront the past to make sense of a tryst with a much older man.
  • The Anthropocene Reviewed” by John Green | This collection of personal essays examines how humans have shaped the planet, rating inventions out of five stars.
  • nomaD” by Januarie York | The latest poetry + essay collection from Indianapolis’ Poet Laureate, exploring love, hurt, and hope.
  • Sweep of Stars” by Maurice Broaddus | The first in a new science fiction trilogy, where a century from now, a space empire with a goal of utopia must struggle to conquer its enemies.

Need more recommendations? Stop by Indy Reads, Irvington Vinyl & Books, and Beyond Barcodes Bookstore to get expert advice from local booksellers. 📚

Pro tip: Irvington Vinyl & Books will soon be moving to the corner of Audubon Road + Bonna Avenue.

More from INDYtoday
Can’t wait to get on the road again — but don’t want to wander too far from home? Try these nearby destinations for day trips.
Dining in Indy is always a fresh experience with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
From Aries to Pisces, find the bookstore that will speak to your sign.
Plan your next snow day at one of the top sledding hills in Indy.
Avril Lavigne? Check. Keith Urban? Check. It’s not a bad idea to triple-check this list and get your concert tickets before they sell out.
Sponsored
With this dictionary, you can become a development terminology expert faster than you can say “Special use permit for a mixed-use zone.”
Whether you’re a coffee lover or just looking for a new place to try, INDYtoday’s coffee shop guide has you covered. This list of the best coffee shops in Indy will help you find the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and relax.
We compiled all of the feedback from our Giving Campaign to learn what readers love most and want to see more of in our newsletters. Here’s a peek at what they said.
In addition to wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings, these are a few of my favorite things — that are hyperspecific to Indianapolis.