---
title: 7 New Books by Terps to Read This Summer
date: 2026-07-01T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/7-new-books-by-terps-to-read-this-summer"
section: Articles
---
# 7 New Books by Terps to Read This Summer

*July 1, 2026* — by [Sala Levin ’10](/author/sala-levin-10)


> Buzzy titles include thrillers, romances and a memoir

*Summer reading 1920x1080 — (Illustration by Valerie Morgan)*

The sun shining on your shoulders, a breeze gently wafting through your hair, a cool, bubbly drink fizzing on the table beside you, maybe a tempting body of water in the near distance, and a new book open on your lap for you to dive into. Can anything improve upon the quintessential warm weather reading experience? Well, possibly just one thing: if that book happens to be written by a Terp.

This summer, University of Maryland alums are releasing books across genres and themes: A twisty crime story, a Cold War-set romantic comedy, a memoir of young adult embarrassments and a psychological thriller are among the Terp-penned books that might entice your literary fancy this season. Three books written by UMD graduates—“The Blue Flame” by George Pelecanos ’80, “Tradwife” by Michelle Brandon ’01 and “The Women in White” by Sarah Pekkanen ’90—even made a New York Times list of “the novels everyone will be reading this summer.”

Browse through these choices to check out how a Terp could help you turn the page on your summer reading goals.


*“Read This to Look Cool” book cover*


*“Off the Record” book cover*


*“Lost in the Summer of ’69” book cover*


*“Rewrite the Stars” book cover*


*“Tradwife” book cover*


*“The Women in White” book cover*


*“The Blue Flame” book cover*




**Topics:** [Arts & Culture](https://today.umd.edu/tags/arts-culture)


**Tags:** [Books](https://today.umd.edu/topic/books), [Alumni](https://today.umd.edu/topic/alumni)


**Units:** [Philip Merrill College of Journalism](https://today.umd.edu/topic/philip-merrill-college-journalism), [College of Arts and Humanities](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-arts-and-humanities), [School of Public Health](https://today.umd.edu/topic/school-public-health), [College of Education](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-education)