REQUIRED READING

The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys (Genesis Publications) The first and only autobiography of the iconic surf rock band tells of how the group went from the Wilsons’ California garage to international stardom. Never-before-scene photos and ephemera, along with recollections from everyone from Elvis Costello and Eric Clapton to Def Leppard and the Flaming Lips, add to the fun.

Just for the Summer

Abby Jimenez (Forever) The bestselling romance author’s latest focuses on a seasonal fling that might be something more. Justin is notoriously cursed: After he breaks up with a girl, she finds her soulmate. But then he meets a traveling nurse named Emma.

The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook

Hampton Sides (Doubleday) The award-winning author of “Ghost Soldiers” delves into the great British explorer’s last journey — which ended with his being killed by natives on Hawaii — his larger legacy and the Age of Exploration.

Toxic Prey

John Sandford (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) The latest “Prey” novel finds Letty and Lucas Davenport looking for a polarizing infectious disease doctor who has disappeared suddenly.

Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder

Asako Yuzuki This cult Japanese bestseller has recently been translated to English. It uses a real-life case — a gourmand femme fatale poisoned three of her boyfriends — to explore ideas around beauty standards and appetites.

Uncaged Summer

Colet Abedi (Post Hill Press) Reeling from the end of a 13-year marriage to her high school sweetheart, a 30-something Los Angeles woman embarks on a summer of couch surfing and amusing first dates. Her traditional Persian American family wants her to find someone new to settle down with, but first she must find herself.