Good Morning Reader,

I know we say this every year, but how the heck is it almost July already?! Seriously!

Let's get ready for our third Uncorked Reading Challenge bingo card.

✨ I've added a few book suggestions from my recent reads, too. ✨

🏃🏻‍♀️ In A Rush? This newsletter has:

• Q3 bingo cards with themes and 2-5 book recommendations for many of them
• My recent "sunburn" books under our "sun" theme...
• Our bonus TBR Pile bingo card reading discussion questions and schedule
• An extra TBR Pile bingo card with NO DATES (haha, you know)
• Quick updates for TUL

🏖️ July - September 2026 Uncorked Reading Challenge: Summer camp, mountain getaways, quiet places, and more 🕵🏻‍♀️

This bingo card is filled with relaxation and indulgence. I cannot wait to see what you pick.

If you use Canva, here is a link to edit these templates. Or, upload bingo cards to any app or editing program that you use. Cards are 1000px by 1500px. Of course, using these cards/this format is not required. Track and share any way you wish.

To get the most out of this challenge, be sure to join our private Facebook group, Uncorked Readers, and join us on The StoryGraph.

An operating cost/participating tip is always appreciated. Your generous donations make a difference in how much I can offer each year.

July through September topics include:

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The next few sections contain affiliate links that earn me commissions at no extra cost to you. This also helps pay for these fun projects.

🏕️ Summer Camp - Read a book about or set at summer camp. Maybe this is an adult friends' retreat, too. Heck, bachelorette, bachelor, hen do, or stag party?!

📕 Two suggestions:

• ​The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ - Adult summer "camp" with your friends for a Nantucket weekend across the decades; TV streaming series on its way.
• ​The God of the Woods by Liz Moore ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - One of the hottest books of 2024; all the Peters remind me of John Paul in Apple TV’s Bad Sisters. You will find yourself siding with characters you probably shouldn’t and making lots of your own judgments - some of which may be correct.

🍫 Chocolate - Need I say more? While this sweet treat sounds delicious enough, read a book with a brown cover. Find a cookbook, a book about chocolate, a book that feels like eating chocolate, or a book with chocolate on the cover.

📕 Suggestions: A few timeless books everyone may know, including Chocolat by Joanne Harris and Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel.

🕵🏻‍♀️ Cozy Mystery - Curl up with a cozy mystery and maybe even find a new series to devour.

📕 Suggestions: I don't want to touch this one with recommendations since our Uncorked Readers are WAY more experienced in this genre. Head to our community and scroll. You are the pros here.

🤫 Quiet Place - Travel to your favorite quiet place. Maybe it's even the bookstore or the library. Read a book with a cozy armchair on the cover or a book about meditation. Where is your quiet place?

📕 Suggestions:

• ​The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop by Takuya Asakura ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 - Great for readers who enjoyed Before the Coffee Gets Cold and if you enjoy books set in bookshops. This will not be for everyone. I adored the calico cat, the tie-in at the end, and the older man's story. It's gentle, healing, and hopeful, filled with loving relationships and people trying their best. Not everything vibed for me, though, including some of the messaging. However, I do wish I could sit under that beautiful tree with a snack and The Little Prince. Let me know what you think.
• ​Tom Lake by Ann Patchett ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I had to make a cheese and mustard sandwich after reading this. Beautifully written, atmospheric, and such a slow burn. The cherry orchard, lake, & theater are unique, quiet settings, and it's contemplative.
• ​One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Thrilling, fun, and a bit horrifying, I didn't want to put it down. I also appreciate women supporting women versus always competing. This one is set on a remote Indonesian island that goes... very quiet.
• ​Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - An LGBTQ+ romance with baked treats, cats, and coffee!? Count me in! It's the perfect theme and fantasy novel for cozy books set at coffee shops. Enemies-turned-chosen-family vibes.
• Plus, if you missed our group read, Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, now is your chance. Quiet, dark, environmental.

🏖️ Sand - Head to the beach or shore with this theme. Or, maybe it's sand in an hourglass. Something super small?! Grains. I always love a good island-set book, which fits many themes.

📕 Suggestions:

• ​A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Kincaid asks visitors not to view her homeland of Antigua from a tourist lens – like an exotic paradise full of parties and beaches – but instead, like other countries, with problems such as crime, corruption, and poverty. She wants travelers to open their eyes and hearts, juxtaposing beauty against racism and colonialism.
• ​You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - What a stunning novel set in the Caribbean islands about finding love again - in yourself, friends, life, creations, and a partner. Read for introspective characters, intuitive storytelling, and steamy romance scenes.
• ​Beach Read by Emily Henry ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - The brilliant writing transports you to a Michigan summer filled with writing and romance. I love the journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and overcoming loss. Anything by Henry is fitting here.
• ​The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Head to Maui for an "unhoneymoon" and get tipsy off of $1.99 Mai Thais. A fast-paced island book filled with ambiance and comedic situations, The Unhoneymooners is a two-day read that promises one heavenly, steamy-sweet vacation.

☀️ Sun - Let's get super creative! Sun on the cover? Steamy romance that makes you sweat? Sunny location? Summer-set book? A story where you need to cool off? A book that sunburned you?

📕 Suggestions:

• ​These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - A brilliantly funny yet dark summer read that is full of emotion, strong characters, and a gripping plot. Takes place over the course of a week on a private island. Read this one for a look into grief, inheritance, wealth, siblings, family, and mothers.
• ​The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Please read my favorite Hilderbrand, if you haven't yet... It's perfect for summer and set at a hotel.
• ​Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - TWs - I didn't read Book 1 yet; you don't have to. I loved the Napoleon-Dynamite feel, and Lenny’s new friend group, especially on their camping trip and fun nights out, made me smile. The story is sweetly sincere and comedic while addressing heavy topics such as death, grief, and pain. I laughed as Lenny’s parents plowed Miles with grappa, and he tipsily asks her, “Am I Italian yet?”
• ​Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - TWs - You don't have to read this series in order. This is a gorgeous novel filled with terrific romance, fun dates, an ugly dog, and more. It's heavier than a "beach read" with more serious topics, including the foster care system, childhood trauma, mental health, dysfunctional families, and abandonment - while being uplifting and beautiful.
• Want my recent sunburns? These fell flat for me, but others loved them. Give them a go and get back to me: American Fantasy by Emma Straub (⭐️⭐️), Go Gentle by Maria Semple (⭐️⭐️⭐️), The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez (⭐️⭐️), Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws (no stars, if I could), The Shippers by Katherine Center (⭐️⭐️⭐️) and So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder (DNF/couldn't even finish it).

⛰️ Mountain Getaway - After we sweat you out, this Asheville girlie is ready for her mountain home again. Read about a mountain destination like Asheville. Backpack, hike, road trip, and more. Just don't get snowed in... or maybe do. Cabin-set books included.

📕 Suggestions:

• ​Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - A quick, enjoyable novella perfect for that mountain getaway. This snowy mountain retreat is cozy and funny with a little STE(A)M. Pun intended. This one is for our gamers.
• ​The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O'Clover ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - TWs - From a sweet bed and breakfast in the mountains with the nicest guests to a cautious, endearing veterinarian landlord, I couldn’t put this one down. There’s hiking, ice cream, and temporary tattoos, along with silly drunken nights and murder basements. There are also heavier topics, such as grief, parenting, and mental health.
• ​Breathless by Amy McCulloch ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - One of the most accurate and detailed fictional books about hiking and mountain climbing from an author who actually summited Manaslu. It's the perfect mix of technicalities and suspense.
• ​The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Nonfiction about Biltmore Estate and the rise of Asheville. A great read before visiting... me... in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• ​The Hike by Lucy Clarke ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Four friends head to Norway with no hiking experience; you know this is going to be dangerous. I most loved the suspense, atmosphere, music (yup, a Daisy Jones & The Six-like singer), and character development. The plot is not groundbreaking or intense, but for me, it was fast-paced and thrilling.

☁️ In The Sky - Birds, planes, hot air balloons, clouds, space, planets, aliens... You name it. The sky's the limit (haha).

📕 Suggestions:

• ​Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ - I loved this emotional, intense, and cerebral book. Talk about endearing, new friendships and raw, heartfelt LGBTQ+ romance. Joan is a strong, empathetic, and meaty character full of strength, courage, and passion. I’d puke all over space, too, girl.
• ​Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano ⭐️⭐️⭐️️💫 - TWs - A coming-of-age survival story (plane crash) that is deeply profound and heartbreaking, but also realistically optimistic. Based partly on the Air France 447 flight.

How's Your TBR Pile Reading Challenge Going?

While you work on earlier bingo cards and start our newest, we also have our TBR pile bonus challenge. How is it going for you?

Bonus June to August topics include:

• Oldest In Pile - Read the book that has been sitting in your TBR pile for the longest amount of time or has the oldest publication date.
• Brightest Cover - Pick the book with the most colorful or brightest cover (and share a photo in our Facebook group).
• Don't Remember Why It Is In Your Pile - I don't know about you, but my ebooks and physical bookshelves have a few books that I'm not sure why I wanted to read them...or how they got there.
• Favorite Cover - Judge that book by its cover; pick the most appealing.
• Free Space - Take the opportunity to clear up an extra book on your shelves or use the free space, literally. A few more Uncorked Reader suggestions I ran out of space for include: shortest pages, newest to your TBR pile, given as a gift, recommendation from someone else, or a book that intimidates you.
• Started But Tabled - Maybe this isn't a DNF (did not finish); maybe you just weren't in the mood. Pick up a book you started but decided you'll come back to.
• Impulse Buy - I cannot NOT buy a book in an indie bookstore, whether I need it or not. This could be an impulse buy or a borrow from a LFL (little free library). Let us know why you wanted it, too!
• Digital Format - While my home office bookshelves are overflowing, my e-reader is looking pretty intimidating, too. Don't even get me started on my Libby holds lists... Maybe this is an audiobook for you.
• Most Pages - Grab the book with the most pages; good luck!

📖 July 2026 Uncorked Readers TBR Pile Discussion Schedule 🗣️

✨ Questions will be posted on Tuesdays, June through August, at 6 AM EDT in Uncorked Readers. ✨

🗣️ July 7, 2026 TBR Reading Challenge “Favorite Cover” – Judge that book by its cover; share which book you are reading based on the cover love. For fun, what is the worst cover in your pile?

🗣️ July 14, 2026 TBR Reading Challenge Check In – How is it going? What are you struggling with? Share what you’ve read so far, and tell us what’s next.

🗣️ July 21, 2026 TBR Reading Challenge “Free Space” – Take the opportunity to clear up an extra book on your shelves or use the free space, literally. A few more Uncorked Reader suggestions I ran out of space for include: shortest pages, newest to your TBR pile, given as a gift, recommendation from someone else, or a book that intimidates you. What are you reading?

🗣️ July 28, 2026 TBR Reading Challenge “Started But Tabled” – Maybe this isn’t a DNF (did not finish); maybe you just weren’t in the mood. Share the book you started but decided you’ll come back to. Is it better now? Worse? DNF?

📚📚 But Let's Be Real About Those TBR Piles... 📚📚

In case you need a TBR Pile bingo card with no dates, like... I dunno... say me...

Lastly, Happy U.S. Summer!

If you follow The Uncorked Librarian's stories on Instagram, you know that perimenopause and/or turning 42 has turned me into a birder. You should see my camera roll.

Plus, I'm recently back from a trip home to Connecticut, where we clocked the birdies on the Seek app and visited wanderlusty coffee shops.

Unfortunately, I'm in a terrible ulcerative colitis flare (again), and I had to head to Boston for my IBD team. I missed the Tartan Army but not FIFA traffic. Dang it! It's looking more like a sick girl summer over here. But Boston does not play, and hopefully they have some tricks left for me.

While resting and working, I'm currently reading Heart The Lover by Lily King.

Happy 2026 Uncorked reading, and see you in Uncorked Readers.