On a sunny day, there are few things that give me greater joy than grabbing a book, finding a spot at a San Francisco park, cracking open a cold beverage and reading the day away. Luckily for me, we’re entering the perfect season for outdoor reading in the Bay Area.
Whether you plan to read during your commute, on a plane, poolside or at home, here are five highly engaging books that you might have missed over the past few years, categorized to suit different needs. They’re mostly by Bay Area authors, and all are available at your local bookstore.
If you want a jaw-dropping twist with your cold drink
The Boys by Katie Hafner (2022)
In modern fiction, it has become increasingly more challenging for authors to come up with reveals that leave an avid reader in shock. But San Francisco author Katie Hafner managed to catch me off guard with the plot twist in The Boys, her first published novel. I picked up a copy on a whim at the bookstore and did not want to put it down. At its core, The Boys explores the way one couple’s relationship evolves through time, including some discussions on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the pair (which manage to not feel forced). It’s partially set in Italy, so if traveling to Europe isn’t in the cards for you this summer, reading about the bike trip “the boys” take through small Italian villages might help fend off the wanderlust.
If you want a book cover that doubles as a misfortune repellant
Evil Eye by Etaf Rum (2023)
Evil Eye stirred up so many emotions as I flipped through its pages. In protagonist Yara’s journey, Palestinian American author Etaf Rum packs a plethora of thoughtful reflections on mental health, intersectional feminism and a sheltered upbringing in an immigrant community. This novel felt frustrating to read at times, but I don’t think that was accidental: It merely mirrors real-life experiences of women in Yara’s position. Excerpts from Yara’s journal are a nice touch that the author uses to detangle the character’s upbringing and her relationship with her family over time. This is a powerful story told by a brilliant voice; I’ll be keeping a close eye on Rum from now on.
If you want to get double-takes from your fellow BART riders
Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor (2017)
There are three quotes on the cover of this book: “Tight,” “Deep” and “Hot.” Sure, it gets steamy here and there, but it’s much more than what a quick glance at the cover might lead strangers to believe. The protagonist, Paul, has a secret superpower — the ability to control his physical appearance at will. This is an invigorating read about gender, and how Paul, who exists beyond the traditional binary, experiences it, with a journey that includes a lesbian relationship in which he becomes “Polly.” The latter part of the novel leads Paul to 1990’s San Francisco, where he continues to explore sexuality and intimacy. The author, who identifies as nonbinary, masterfully depicts both a path to self-discovery and the beauty of San Francisco in the final few pages. A must-read.
If you want your crush to think you’re on the cutting edge of the lit scene
Real Americans by Rachel Khong (2024)
Hot off the press, San Francisco author Rachel Khong’s sophomore novel is an ambitious undertaking. In three parts, the novel spans the duration of protagonists Lily and Matthew’s relationship and its aftermath. This followup to Goodbye, Vitamin is a refreshing showcase of Khong’s growth as a writer and willingness to take risks, as she hooks the reader in with elements of magical realism and mystery. Real Americans is a page-turner, and the perfect new release to have on your radar this summer as you wander a bookstore — or your local public library.
If you can’t commit to a novel
Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So (2021)
Born and raised in Stockton, Anthony Veasna So was a rising star in the literary world when he died tragically in 2020 at the age of 28. Afterparties, his posthumous collection of short stories that skillfully surveys the lives of Cambodian Americans in California, was published the following year to universal acclaim. My favorite thing about this collection is the breadth of emotion it manages to squeeze into these stories and out of these characters. You won’t be sobbing the entire time — there will be laughs, cheers and some difficult truths to internalize. I recommend savoring this book slowly, letting each of the 10 stories simmer before you dive into the next.
