Book Enthusiast by Becca Freeman

Hi Book Pals, While the end of summer remains hotly debated across the internet, I’d argue that the summer publishing season ends August 31. So, last Sunday, I sent out a poll asking YOU what our 2026 Book of the Summer is. And it turns out 351 of you had thoughts. First of all, 89% of you believe we have a Book of the Summer. That doesn’t sound particularly remarkable until you consider that last year we largely agreed that 2025 didn’t have one. OK, so what is the Book of the Summer?

ICYMI: I’m attempting to document the entire process of writing my third novel, from blank page to (fingers crossed!) eventual publication. That means every breakthrough, confidence wobble, and craft tool I test out along the way. You can catch up on the first 4 posts here. Whether you’re a writer desperate to know how the process works for other authors or just a curious reader, I’m giving you a peek into the messy backstage of how a book gets made.

Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries. Hi friends, I spent the first half of this week in San Diego—well, Carlsbad, technically—on a girls’ trip that we’ve done two years running. I’m hoping it’s firmly a tradition now. My friend Merritt Beck spends a few weeks out there each summer and invited me, Jess, and our friend Jenna to join.

Hi Book Pals, I’ve read 38 books so far this year, and I’m hoping the best reading is yet to come with a slate of heavy hitters this fall. Barbara Kingsolver! Sarah J. Maas! Min Jin Lee! Me! (OK, the latter is more of a walk-on with something to prove.) I’m back with my final new release round up of 2026 with 31 books releasing between September–December that I think you need to know about. If you missed them, you can check out January–April’s roundup HERE and May–August’s HERE.

Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries. Hi friends, This week, a friend said to me that “August is the Sunday of summer.” And, wow, does that ring true. My motivation has left the building. Perhaps, fled the state entirely. (Never ideal when you have productive plans between trips!) So, Grace Atwood’s latest letter arrived in my inbox at the exact right time to alleviate some guilt.

Hello! I’m back with another data-filled State of the Newsletter report, something I’ve done bi-annually since launching the paid tier of this newsletter. And the past 6 months have been… rocky. Numerically speaking, at least.

Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries. Hi friends, This week was boring in a way that felt necessary after 10 days away. A lot of time spent at my desk; the rest with my nose buried in a book. I broke my self-imposed hermitude just twice. Got an early start on soup season (recipe), obsessed with these hawaiian-print sport shorts(size up), evening in my office, meeting a fellow tall Becca, solo dinner with my kindle.

Hi Book Pals, I’ve had this feeling for the past few months of being behind on reading. No matter how many books I read, there are more I want to read but don’t get to.

Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries. Hi friends, Wow! I’ve been all over the place since we last spoke, geographically speaking. Boston, Maine, Boston again, Palm Beach. (Decidedly not at home in Brooklyn.) And it’s been great to spend so much quality time with so many of my favorite people, but I can safely say I’m vacationed out for the moment. I can’t wait to head home and be a bit boring.

This newsletter would usually be behind the paywall, but it was kindly unlocked thanks to Sol de Janeiro(#sponsored). You can take 10% off your first purchase of best-selling favorites, including their Bum Bum Cream and Cheirosa 62 perfume mist, when you use this link! Hi Book Pals, How’s your summer reading going? Personally, I’m having a big bookish summer! Over on the podcast, we’re partnering with Brazilian-inspired self care brand, Sol de Janeiro, on our Summer of Sol.