Now Read This!
JULY 2026
 
Our Now Read This! newsletters offer suggestions for your next favorite read, from hidden gems to the latest hot pick. In this issue, you will find a featured book of the month, resources and events from Teen Central, a curated selection of newly acquired and upcoming titles, and booklists for further reading. No matter the genre, your friendly Teen Central Librarians have recommendations for every reader.
 
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Book of the Month
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
The Thief
by Megan Whalen Turner

The first book in the Queen's Thief series introduces one of the most charismatic and incorrigible characters of fiction, Eugenides the thief. When his boasting lands him in prison and the king's magus invites him on a quest to steal a legendary object, he's in no position to refuse. The magus thinks he has the right tool for the job, but Gen has plans of his own.
Resources
Museum Passes for the Summer!
 
Get free or discounted museum passes from the library this summer! Explore local institutions like Zoo New England and the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston).
 
Event Spotlight
 
Summer Scares: Movie Marathon
Every Tuesday, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
 
Join us for our Summer Scares movie series, where we’ll screen spooky favorites while creating themed crafts inspired by each film.
 
Whether you love creepy creatures, supernatural mysteries, or suspenseful adventures, this series is the perfect mix of scary fun and artistic expression.
 
Walk-ins welcome!
 
New and Upcoming Titles
Bad Queer by Gayathiri Kamalakanthan
Behind Five Willows by June Hur
Being Aro: A Collection of Aromantic Fiction about Love, Connection, and Empowerment by Madeline Dyer
Bad Queer
Gayathiri Kamalakanthan
 
"A novel in verse about Surya, a genderqueer teen living in London, as they navigate the complexities of relationships and their own identity."
 
Behind Five Willows
June Hur
 
"Set in eighteenth-century Korea, two teens secretly wage a war against government book banning and find love along the way."
 
Being Aro
Various Authors
 
"Enjoy twelve stories showcasing stories of teens who are aromantic in their journeys to self-acceptance across worlds and genres."
 
Good Morning, Salwa (Buuza!! Volume 1): An Original Graphic Novel by Shazleen Khan
Calling Me Home by Laurin Becker Macios
The Electric Life of Lavender Lewis by Kara Storti
Buuza!! Vol. 1
Shazleen M. Khan
 
"Set in a world sprinkled with magic, Zach, a down-on-his-luck phone operator receives a misdialed call from a distressed man named Zhen, sparking an undeniable connection."
 
Calling Me Home
Laurin Becker Macios
 
"After graduating high school, Jenny goes on a solo trip to Europe before going to college to fulfill her ambitious plans. After the trip, she finds herself wanting a different life."
 
The Electric Life of Lavender Lewis
Kara Storti
 
"Lavender has had seizures for as long as she can remember, but after the death of her mother, she starts seeing a strange boy during them."
 
Force of Nature by Melissa Clark
Goldenborn by Ama Ofosua Lieb
The Hanging Bones by Elle Tesch
Force of Nature
Melissa Clark
 
"Chloe has inherited the role of Mother Nature; now she must secretly balance school, family, and first crushes while protecting the world and keeping her powers out of the wrong hands."
 
Goldenborn
Ama Ofosua Lieb
 
"Rich with Ghanaian folklore, the story follows Akoma Addo, a teen detective who investigates magical crimes in San Francisco's AfricaTown, as she investigates a case that becomes far more personal."
 
The Hanging Bones
Elle Tesch
 
"Inspired by Celtic folklore, Katrin, a young asexual gamekeeper, enters the hunt for a legendary stag in a desperate attempt to win the death of her lecherous overlord, young Baron Wagnor."
 
Find Your Next Great Read
First Volume of a Manga Series: Recommendations for Teen Summer Reading 2026 
 
Are you looking for a suggestion for the "First Volume of a Manga Series" challenge in this year's Teen Summer Reading Bingo? Check out one of our picks for a great read! However, you do NOT have to follow our recommendations—you can read any book that you think fits the theme.
 


   

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