When the days grow longer, so does our appetite for a good book –the kind you stretch out by the water with, letting the pages turn at their own pace. From inspiring travel journeys to artful collections, delicious new recipes, and Southern-rooted storytelling, here are the books we’re packing this summer.
I Would Walk Five Hundred Miles by Sean Dietrich and Jamie Dietrich
Beloved Southern storyteller Sean Dietrich and his wife Jamie chronicle their Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, where every mile becomes a meditation on grace, perspective, and learning to live as if you’re already enough. Releases May 5, 2026.
A History of Birmingham Rock & Roll by Craig Legg
More than 350 paintings by Alabama artist Craig Legg chronicle Birmingham’s legendary local music scene in this vibrant collection, serving as a visual reminder that the Magic City’s soundtrack runs deeper than most people realize.
Native Plants of Kiawah Island: A Collection of Watercolors by Audrey Straus
An elegant coffee-table book honoring native plants of South Carolina’s Kiawah Island. Featuring nearly 200 original watercolors, the book’s proceeds support the preservation of the very landscape it celebrates.
New School Barbecue by Evan LeRoy and Paula Forbes
A Michelin-starred pitmaster’s guide to modern barbecue. Chef Evan LeRoy shares more than 100 techniques and recipes, just in time for delicious summer nights spent around the table. Available for pre-order now. Hitting shelves May 12, 2026.
Waterfront Living by Erin Austen Abbott
Southern storyteller Erin Austen Abbott shares this visual ode to waterside living, celebrating the quiet courage it takes to start fresh by the shore. Dive in, where artists, families, and dreamers trade fast-paced living for creativity, community, and a slower rhythm. Releases May 12, 2026.
