Dune
Deluxe Trade Paperback Edition
By Frank Herbert; Afterword by Brian Herbert
Publisher: Ace Books
Release Date: July 7, 2026

“Beginnings are such delicate times.” – Dune by Frank Herbert

Over 60 years ago, one of the greatest science fiction stories of all time was released: Frank Herbert’s Dune. Now, Ace Books (a division of Penguin Random House) has repackaged Dune in an exquisite deluxe trade paperback edition and seriously, it’s a showstopper.

Although a version of Dune was first published as a multi-part serial in Analog magazine throughout 1963-1964, the book as we know it was almost left in the rejection pile after nearly 20 publishers passed on Herbert’s expanded and revised manuscript. Thankfully, the Chilton Book Company, whose main focus was car repair manuals, decided to take a chance on the unproven author, publishing Dune as a novel in 1965. In 1966, it won the Hugo Award and the inaugural Nebula Award, eventually leading to the author’s commercial success, spawning a booming franchise that’s still going strong today.

The Summer Solstice is upon us! And with it comes plenty of new books and lots of warm weather and natural light to read them in.

Below are some titles that I am personally looking forward to checking out this Summer, most of which land in the science fiction, fantasy, horror, roleplaying, historical fiction, and non-fiction categories and their respective subgenres. The first list of books is presented in order of release date from May 2026 through August 2026. After this main list, I’ve included some older titles to read before their new movie/TV adaptations come out. Finally, you’ll find a bonus section featuring themed Cookbooks, Craftbooks, Guides, Coloring Books, Sourcebooks, Card Sets/Games, Journals, and Accessories that are perfect companions for your Summer reading adventures, and also make great gifts. This guide contains links to each item; for books, I’ve included print, ebook, and audiobook editions.

Continue on to check out my list of Summer 2026 Book Recommendations & Gifts…

This year will see the big-screen release of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part 3 starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Robert Pattinson. In conjunction with this highly anticipated event, Ace Books (a division of Penguin Random House) will be publishing two special repackages of books from Frank Herbert’s Dune universe and the publisher has given Geeks Of Doom the exclusive cover reveal! See the cover images below, along with details on the upcoming books, including pre-order links.

The first release is a deluxe trade paperback edition of the original Dune novel coming this Summer; the second is a deluxe hardcover box set containing Books 4-6 coming this Fall. Pre-order is available now for both items through multiple retailers.

Fallen: An Alex Verus Novel
Alex Verus Book 10
Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
By Benedict Jacka
Publisher: Ace (an imprint of Penguin Random House)
Release Date: September 24, 2019

I am a fairly new fan of Benedict Jacka‘s Alex Verus series. As a longtime reader of urban fantasy, I cannot fathom how I ever failed to pick these up until last year. But life is funny like that. I chewed through the first nine books in the series fairly quickly and was stoked beyond words when I saw that this one, Fallen, was coming out soon. I literally inhaled it when I received it. In fact, the guy who got me started on these books was so jealous that it took all I had not to tease him with some spoilers. But I persevered and he remains oblivious to the story. Sorry, Patrick. But it is better this way. Anyway, let me fill you in one some of the basics about the book without ruining the overall plot. Okay? Okay.

The Handmaid’s Tale
Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
By Margaret Atwood
Publisher: Anchor Books | Penguin Random House
Release Date: December 31, 2013

Offred is a Handmaid, whose only purpose is to live a simple holy life in the household, and procreate with the Commander and his wife. In this new dystopian society that had overthrown the government, women have no rights and men have few as well. Well, men had more than most, but really only the rich ones. Offred is allowed to shop, but may only exchange minimal words with her shop partner. She was trained for this. The only place Offred can be herself is in her mind and her memories and even she second guesses herself doing that. When the Commander starts breaking the rules, Offred begins to remember what “before” was like, and the power of women.

Check out what my book club thought about The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.