We’re currently living through the Golden Age of book-to-screen adaptations. It seems like every single day yet another beloved book is getting its turn to shine on the big screen. From Emerald Fennell’s take on the literary classic, Wuthering Heights, to the first trailer dropping for the highly anticipated adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s bestseller, Klara and The Sun, we are constantly rereading our favorites in preparation for their adaptations, adding books and movies alike to our “must read” and “must watch” lists.

Not that we’re complaining! As Los Angelenos, we love all stories—from books, to TV shows, to movies—and love to see how our favorite novels transform in a visual medium. In that spirit, we’re sharing our favorite recent (and most highly anticipated) adaptations coming out, and the books that inspired them.

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• Verity by Colleen Hoover: Before it hits the big screen starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett, pick up the thriller that captivated millions of readers. Verity is a dark, twisty psychological suspense novel filled with secrets, obsession, and shocking revelations. It’s the kind of book you’ll race through in a weekend and immediately need someone to discuss with afterward.

  

• Dog Stars by Peter Heller: With a film adaptation directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, and Josh Brolin on the horizon, now is the perfect time to discover this unforgettable novel. Set in a hauntingly beautiful post-pandemic world, The Dog Stars is both a gripping survival story and a moving meditation on love, loss, and hope. Peter Heller’s lyrical prose makes this literary dystopian tale truly soar.

• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt: Remarkably Bright Creatures is every bit as charming as you’ve heard. Blending mystery, humor, and heart, this book celebrates the unexpected connections that help us find our way. Read this delightful relationship-driven drama and then cozy up on the couch to watch Sally Field bring it to life in a way only Sally Field can.

• Dark Matter by Blake Crouch: Now adapted into a hit series starring Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly, Dark Matter is the mind-bending thriller that takes the multi-verse to a whole new level. Blake Crouch masterfully explores alternate realities, second chances, and the lives we might have lived, all while delivering relentless suspense. Grab a copy before season 2 drops on August 28th!

• Beach Read by Emily Henry: With The White Lotus’s Patrick Schwarzenegger and Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor set to bring this fan-favorite romance to life on screen, now is the perfect time to fall in love with Beach Read. Equal parts witty, heartfelt, and emotionally resonant, Emily Henry’s novel follows two rival writers who challenge each other to swap genres for the summer. It’s a smart, swoony romance that proves some of the best love stories begin when you least expect them.

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We were lucky to host author of Reese’s Book Club pick Lucky, Marissa Stapley, and Cassie Pappas, the showrunner of the adaptation! The Apple TV series written by Jonathan Tropper and Cassie Pappas starring Anya Taylor-Joy (of The Queen’s Gambit) comes out in four days on July 15th!

We have a very exciting lineup of events at Zibby’s Bookshop for the month ahead. RSVP, mark your calendars, and come in anytime! All our events are here and below.

Plus, join 14 featured authors for Zibby’s Santa Monica Retreat for Book Lovers. Both day and weekend passes are available!

Upcoming Events

July events on Eventbrite

Wednesday, July 8 at 6:00 pm
Peloton’s Hannah Corbin
Did You Stretch Tho: Conversation, Demonstration, and Q&A

Saturday, July 11 at 4:00 pm
Marissa Stapley and Cassie Pappas
Lucky on Apple TV: with author and showrunner, in partnership with !

Sunday, July 12 at 4:00 pm
Lindsay Bartels and Carol Lin
Imogen in Waiting

Tuesday, July 14 at 6:00 pm
Kerri Maher and Kim Fay
Summer of Love

Wednesday, July 15 at 7:00 pm
Zibby’s Bookshop July Book Club
We will be discussing Whistler by Ann Patchett!

Thursday, July 16 at 6:00 pm
Caitlin Mullen and Stephanie Wrobel
Heather: A Novel

Friday, July 17 at 3:00 pm
Kathryn Stockett Signing at Zibby’s Bookshop!
The Calamity Club

Tuesday, July 21 at 6:00 pm
Justin Halpern and Bill Lawrence
From Abbott Elementary to Get Lost

Wednesday, July 22 at 7:00 pm
Zibby’s Book Club (Virtual Event!)
Forty Love by Jane Costello

Sunday, July 26 at 4:00 pm
Laura Clery and Manon Mathews
What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Hotter

Tuesday, July 28 at 6:00 pm
Amy Chozick and Jessica Yellin
With Friends Like You

Wednesday, July 29 at 6:00 pm
Matthew Quick and Lori Gottlieb
Dad, Love, Me

Thursday, July 30 at 6:00 pm
Kyleigh Leddy and Lauren Okie
Worse Than Strangers

Join us for Zibby’s Santa Monica Retreat for Book Lovers

Friday, October 2 at 4:00 pm

Learn more

Hope to see you at the bookshop soon! 1113 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90403.

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Summer is finally here, otherwise known as beach read season. The perfect beach read is a propulsive page-turner that sucks you into the story and keeps you engaged, while keeping things fun and breezy; no one wants to cry between catching waves and building sandcastles. Whether you’re looking for a light-hearted rom-com, a family drama, or even a thriller that keeps you guessing, the Zibby’s Bookshop bookseller team has got you covered. P.S: Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!

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• The Deal by Elle Kennedy: Start here. Seriously. A fake-dating hockey romance set on a college campus that is impossible to put down. The Off Campus series just landed on Prime Video, so if you want to be ahead of the conversation before season 2 comes out, this is your sign. This is one of those reads where you tell yourself one more chapter… and suddenly it’s 2:00 am.

• The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston: Ashley Poston is simply not allowed to keep doing this to us. A summer job at a stunning Maine estate, a secret garden, and a mysterious man trapped inside it (yes, really). Magical, swoony, and completely impossible to put down. If you’ve read her before, you already know. If you haven’t, start here.

• The One by John Marrs: What if a DNA test could tell you who your soulmate is? That’s the premise and the rabbit hole only gets deeper from there. Twisty, propulsive, and genuinely hard to put down. Also now a Netflix series if you want to do a read-then-watch situation this summer.

• Recursion by Blake Crouch: Blake Crouch does something very specific: he writes thrillers that are technically about time and memory but really make you feel things. The kind of book you pick up on a lazy beach afternoon and suddenly the sun has set and you have no idea where the time went. Perfect if you want your brain slightly melted in the best way.

• Arrivals and Departures by Amanda Eyre Ward: From the author of The Jetsetters comes a new novel about a messy, lovable family scattered across the globe — a reality TV star, a sister who fell for a romance scammer, a brother teetering on the edge, and a mother still chasing a love she let slip away in Greece. Funny, propulsive, and set against the Mediterranean, which means even the backdrop feels like a vacation.

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Did you know June is Audiobook Month? In honor of this, the Zibby’s Bookshop team is sharing audiobooks that have kept them listening. Whether you’re going for a walk, folding laundry, doing dishes, or simply going about your day, here are the books that make the best listens. (When you download audiobooks from our Libro.fm store, you’re still supporting us! Click here.)

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Listen Up!

• Tom Lake by Anne Patchett: Meryl Streep narrates the Ann Patchett novel about memory, motherhood, and a long-ago summer romance. Need we say more? Listeners call it one of the rare audiobooks they prefer over holding the actual book. We agree.

• Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman: This one hooks everyone (and we mean everyone). Narrator Jeff Hays delivers full-blown voice acting with distinct voices for scores of characters and immersive sound effects.

• Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Written as a mock oral history of a 1970’s rock band, this story was practically written to be an audiobook. Jennifer Beals, Benjamin Bratt, Judy Greer, and Pablo Schreiber lead a full cast that makes it sound less like a novel and more like a documentary you can’t turn off.

• Famesick by Lena Dunham: This one has been on heavy rotation for us lately. Lena narrates it herself (she apparently recorded it lying on her couch) and you can just feel that. It’s like she’s talking directly to you for twelve hours. Funny, honest, and a little chaotic. If you were a Girls fan or just love a person with a truly colorful life story, press play.

• Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan: The GMA Book Club’s pick for June is the summer rom-com you didn’t know you needed. Narrator Julia Whelan, who is widely considered one of the best in the business, helms this one, bringing Dolly and her sharp, funny voice to life on a sun-soaked Rhode Island coast. If you’ve got a beach day, a drive, or a long walk ahead of you, this is exactly what you should be listening to.

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Whether you’re keeping up with The World Cup, continuing to ride the high from the Knicks’ historic win after 53 long years (Knicks in five!!), or are looking forward to Wimbledon, golf, or more, it’s impossible to deny that sports are dominating our screens, hearts, and minds.

If you’re hoping to bring some of this excitement into your reading life, you’re in luck. The Zibby’s Bookshop team put together some sporty book recommendations. (For our Totally Sports episode playlist, click here.)

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World Cup Ready Reads

• Landon by Landon Donovan: American soccer legend Landon Donovan shares an unfiltered account of his career, his battles with depression, and his search for peace after the game. It pulls absolutely no punches. For anyone who grew up watching him carry the US team on his back, this one is deeply personal and genuinely surprising.

• World Cup Fever by Simon Kuper: Simon Kuper is one of the vanishingly small number of writers who have attended every World Cup since 1990. This book is his love letter to it all. An essential companion to the tournament and a lens through which to see what lies beyond the scoreboard.

• How to Watch Soccer Like A Genius by Nick Greene: Think you already know soccer? This book will genuinely humble you in the best possible way. Greene pulls in experts from completely unexpected fields to break down a sport we thought we understood. The result is one of the most fun and surprising reads for World Cup fans.

• The Long Game by Leander Schaerlaeckens: Schaerlaeckens interviewed more than 150 former and current players, coaches, and administrators so he could tell the full story of the US Men’s National Team. Full of setbacks, buffoonery, misunderstandings, and an eccentric cast of characters, The Long Game is an unforgettable account of this current American team.

• The World’s Game by Yamile Saied Méndez: A wonderful way to bring kids into the World Cup excitement, this vibrant picture book celebrates the sport and its worldwide fans. As one match unfolds in the stadium, a family watches from home. A pure, joyful love letter to the beautiful game.

Tennis-Themed Books Are All Aces

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• The Open Era by Edward Schmidt: The Challengers-like novel we’ve been waiting for. The first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam is battling his anxiety, the weight of history, and a devastatingly attractive rival ranked second in the world. This rivals-to-lovers story culminates in big feelings and a Grand Slam showdown.

• Forty Love by Jane Costello: A single mom. An old school crush with a killer forehand visible from her bedroom window. A last-minute decision to join the worst amateur tennis team in the league. Warm, funny, and completely irresistible—this book is proof that second chances and late bloomers make for the best stories. (Listen to Zibby’s podcast with Jane here.)

• The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey: Technically about tennis. Actually about everything. This decades-old classic is still one of the most quietly radical books ever written about getting out of your own way. Whether or not you’ve ever held a racket, you will finish this one thinking differently.

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• Searching for Novak by Mark Hodgkinson: Whether you love him or hate him, you can’t deny that Novak Djokovic is one of the most fascinating athletes alive. This award-winning deep dive goes from a bomb shelter in Belgrade to a detention centre in Melbourne and into the psychology behind the titles.

• Changeover by Giri Nathan: The Big Three era ends. Alcaraz and Sinner arrive. And the best tennis writer in America is there to document it. Fast, propulsive, and completely alive, this is the book that explains why watching these two feels so electric. (Listen to Zibby’s podcast with Giri here.)

• BONUS: Zibby interviewed Andre Agassi about his memoir Open here. One of her all-time favorite reads.

Fore! Watch Out for Books About Golf

• A Life Well Played by Arnold Palmer: This is a treasure trove of entertaining anecdotes and timeless wisdom from arguably the most important professional golfer in history. Breezily readable chapters cover golf, life, and business, and the whole thing feels like sitting down with Arnie himself. A classic that belongs on every golf lover’s shelf.

• Tiger vs. Jack by Bob Harig: Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig tackles the greatest argument in golf: who was better? Tiger or Jack? Exploring the records, rivalries, statistics, and intangibles that made them both icons, Harig has covered Tiger since the very beginning of his career, and it shows. A fascinating and propulsive read for anyone who has ever had an opinion on this debate (which is everyone).

• The Playing Lesson by Michael Bamberger: A veteran golf writer spends a year inside the ropes trying to unlock the secrets of a sport he’s covered his whole career. What follows is funny, surprising, and completely infectious. The kind of book that makes you want to pick up a club immediately, even if you absolutely should not.

• The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian: Already chosen by the New York Times Book Review as one of the novels everyone will be talking about in 2026. A golf prodigy at an elite Westchester country club accidentally kills a caddy with a stray ball. What follows is a dark, twisting tale of secret affairs, predatory men, and a teenager suddenly on trial. We genuinely could not put this down. Coming August 4th.

• Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey: A grumpy, washed-up pro golfer. His one remaining fan. A wild proposal that changes everything. Tessa Bailey doing what Tessa Bailey does best, and somehow set on a golf course. We did not see this coming and we loved every page of it.

Did we miss any?? What are your favorite books that explore the world of sports?

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Check out John Kenney’s novel — now in paperback! — I See You’ve Called in Dead and Shalom Auslander’s Feh.

Join Zibby’s Bookshop for the next live video in the app. All “Z.I.P.s” get access to every event!

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Father’s Day is just a few days away (June 21st!). Dads can be tricky to shop for. Luckily, we know that books make the best gifts. (Agree?) The booksellers at Zibby’s Bookshop compiled their recommendations. Hope they help.

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Books for the Dad Who…

Loves Sports

• Open by Andre Aggasi

• Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey

• A Life Well Played by Arnold Palmer

• The Running Ground by Nicholas Thompson

• Checkmate by Ben Mezrich

Wants a Classic Mystery

• The Widow by John Grisham

• Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

• L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy

• Resurrection Walk by Michael Connelly

Looks for Laughs

• I See You’ve Called In Dead by John Kenney

• Wild Houses by Colin Barrett

• Love Poems (For Married People) by John Kenney

Does a Great Storytime:

• Grumpy Monkey Fathers Day Fuss by Suzanne Lang

• Dad by Christian Robinson

• Love, Dad by Dr. Joel Warsh & Andrew Gardner

Inhales History Books:

• London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

• Chronicles Volume 1 by Bob Dylan

• The Golden Road by William Dalrymple

• SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard

• The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel by Douglas Brunt

Any other non-book gift ideas? We’re all ears.

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Hi readers,

Welcome to the new and improved bookshop newsletter! Below, you’ll find everything you have come to expect from this weekly newsletter, from our bestseller list, bookseller recommendations, to our upcoming events. Keep reading to about the the ways we’ve made it even better.

But first, some updates happening at the store: new merch recently landed! There are cute new library card-inspired tumblers, bookish playing cards, and more. We also recently reorganized the store with new categories—come by to shop around!

Bookshop Event Highlight

We have so many fantastic events coming up at the bookshop! Perhaps most excitingly, John Kenney is coming back to our coast for an event at the bookshop on Sunday, June 14th at 5pm PT in celebration of the paperback release of his nationally bestselling novel I See You’ve Called in Dead with Shalom Auslander, author of Feh. We hope we’ll see you there—it is sure to be a laugh with these two.

What makes John Kenney’s event even more exciting? We will be kicking off our state-of-the-art live streaming event series with this one, and all of our subscribers will be able to tune in, no matter where in the world you are! In the future, this perk will be available only to paid members. Learn more about how to join by clicking the button below.

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You can browse all of our upcoming events on Eventbrite, but see below for which events coming up in the next 2 weeks! We can’t wait to host you.

Zibby’s Santa Monica Retreat for Book Lovers!

In case you missed it, Zibby’s Book Lover Retreat for the fall was just announced, and it will be in Santa Monica! We are so excited to show a group of retreaters around the neighborhood that we love, celebrate the release of Zibby’s new essay collection, Between Chapters, host 12+ incredible authors including Laura Dave, Cleo Wade, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Annabelle Gurwitch, and more. And, great news for all Santa Monica locals: there are day passes! Learn more about the retreat here, and reserve your space—Zibby’s retreats tend to sell out quickly!

Events Coming Up in the Next Two Weeks:

• Tuesday, June 9 at 6:00 PM: Jill Wintersteen and Krista Williams

• Wednesday, June 10 at 7:00 PM: Zibby’s Bookshop Book Club!

• Thursday, June 11 at 6:00 PM: Dr. Gillian Goddard and Dr. Cara Natterson

• Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 AM: author signing with Emily Singer

• Sunday, June 14 at 5:00 PM: John Kenney & Shalom Auslander

• Monday, June 15 at 6:00 PM: Lauren Okie and Clare Osongco

• Tuesday, June 16 at 6:00 PM: Sonya Walger with Samantha Dockser

• Wednesday, June 17 at 6:00 PM: Katherine Center

  Weekly Bestsellers!

Nonfiction:

Famesick by Lena Dunham

Strangers by Belle Burden

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

Being 40 by Stacey Lindsay

On Being Jewish Now by Zibby Owens

Fiction:

Forty Love by Jane Costello

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

Go Gentle by Maria Semple

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout

Recently on Totally Booked with Zibby

There have been some real standouts on the podcast this week! From Kerry Docherty, the author of the new un-put-down-able marriage memoir Selfish, to a fascinating conversation with Susan and James Patterson where they discuss the value of collaboration, to a delightful recap of Zibby’s Summer Reads Party as a bonus episode!

Don’t forget to save these episodes on Spotify so you can listen on your commutes, while folding laundry, or whenever you listen to podcasts!

Weekly Bookseller Recommendation

Bookseller Kerry recommends Tana French’s newest novel, The Keeper, saying that “French continues to be the master of atmospheric, gorgeously written crime fiction.”

“In the third and final volume of French’s detective series starring Cal Hooper, a young woman’s drowning brings to light the ugliest secrets of a small town in rural Ireland. . . . This book is French at the height of her powers.” —The New York Times

Thank you for reading, and have a great week!

— The Zibby’s Bookshop team

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Hi everyone! Thanks so much for moving with us from our prior newsletter to our new home on Substack! (Didn’t realize you had? Don’t worry! You don’t have to do anything differently.) Expect the same free weekly email with Zibby’s Bookshop’s bestsellers, upcoming events, and more.

If you want EVEN MORE from your favorite Santa Monica indie, we’ve added some options!

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We’ve just installed a new state-of-the-art live-streaming video system. You’ll get access to all our in-store events as they happen, plus 10% off all purchases at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Stay connected wherever you are in the world.

FYI, we’ll kick things off with the livestream of John Kenney, I See You’ve Called in Dead, and Shalom Auslander on June 14th at 5 pm PT for all subscribers so you can see what we mean. (Obviously still keep going to events in the store in person at 1113 Montana Ave!) Reminder: all events here.

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Thanks for being a part of our story.

Warmly,

Zibby and the Zibby’s Bookshop team