Summer reading season officially begins in May —don’t ask why, we don’t make the rules—and with it comes a real smorgasbord of new books. Bookstore decision paralysis is a real thing, so we’ve created a highly scientific vibes-based process of elimination to determine the It Book of the Month.

The ideal It Book rings four bells:

🔔 Art – Is it good?

🔔 Acclaim – Will it contend for awards and best-of lists?

🔔 Sales – Where’s the money?

🔔 Zeitgeist – What’s the buzz?

This month’s contenders include a new novel from the author of The Help , a modern blend of fable and horror from a National Book Award-nominated writer, David Sedaris doing David Sedaris things , an Oprah-approved novel from a Booker-winning author, and a buzzy debut about a community processing an apocalypse that didn’t happen.

You can hear our conversation and find out what was crowned It Book of the Month on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you listen.

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