Ep. 204: Summer 2025 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide)

In Episode 204, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 12 new releases they shared in the Summer 2025 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to! They share their reading stats, chat about what worked — and discuss which books didn't work and why.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Announcement
One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both for just $7/mo) is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available and sign up here for Patreon and here for Substack!
Highlights
After Catherine's 100% success rate this spring, she encountered a near-full reversal of fortune this summer.
Sarah's summer reading improved dramatically over her spring selections.
Between Sarah and Catherine, there are several DNFs, one 5-star book, one 3-star book, and a scattering of books in the 4-star range.
Sarah's summer circle back theme seems to be "Why aren't more people reading these books?!"
Meanwhile, someone please hand Catherine MORE in her books and with a heavy side of PLOT.
They name the best and worst books picks for summer!
Books Read Before the Preview [5:09]
June
Sarah's Pick
The Compound by Aisling Rawle (June 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:14]
Other Books Mentioned
Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954) [7:03]
FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven (2016) [7:06]
July
Sarah's Pick
Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams (July 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:24]
Other Books Mentioned
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue (2023) [9:31]
Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler (2023) [9:34]
Summer 2025 Circle Back [10:59]
June
Catherine's Picks
The Catch by Yrsa Daley-Ward (June 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:08]
King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby (June 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:43]
I'll Be Right Here by Amy Bloom (June 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:15]
Other Books Mentioned
Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby (2021) [20:06]
All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby (2023) [20:08]
July
Sarah's Picks
Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje (July 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[13:54]
The Rabbit Club by Christopher J. Yates (July 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[25:07]
Her Many Faces by Nicci Cloke (July 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:56]
August Lane by Regina Black (July 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:14]
Catherine's Picks
The Satisfaction Café by Kathy Wang (July 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:27]
Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon (July 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[39:50]
Other Books Mentioned
Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates (2013) [25:12]
Grist Mill Road by Christopher J. Yates (2018) [25:18]
Craigslist Confessional by Helena Dea Bala (2020) [33:52]
Imposter Syndrome by Kathy Wang (2021) [34:39]
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (2023) [37:39]
The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon (2023) [40:02]
The Art of Scandal by Regina Black (2023) [44:01]
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (2021) [46:47]
July Catherine's Pick
The Frequency of Living Things by Nick Fuller Googins (August 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:10]