interstice journal: What We're Reading

what we're reading in june

interstice journal — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:01:45 GMT

Hello, and happy June!

Welcome to another installment of What We’re Reading, where our editors share our favorite books of the month with you! June is an exciting month for Interstice Journal—our submission window for our Summer issue has officially closed, and our very first issue will be released by the end of this month! We’ve picked out really exciting and fresh stories for our Summer issue, and we can’t wait for you to read them!

In the meantime, here are some more book recommendations from our editors, so that you can get a better taste of what we like to read.

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belton’s book recommendations

What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell - What Belongs to You centers on an American English professor who lives and teaches in Bulgaria as he stumbles upon Mitko in the bathrooms one day and pays him for sex, sparking an intense, yet complicated relationship over the next few months. Having already read Greenwell’s other works, this one really solidified him as one of my favorite living authors. His prose is brilliant, insightful, and smooth; the way the narrator describes every emotion, action, and thought in minute detail draws you in and never lets you go. The relationship between the narrator and Mitko is one of the best depictions of queer love—it’s messy, yet it speaks to a deeper human truth about what you truly owe to another person. This is a novel that really focuses on the mundanity of life; my favorite part of the entire novel is when the narrator simply goes for a walk and reminisces about his relationship with his father. It’s a novel you’ll never forget.

Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li - In this memoir, Yiyun Li documents her days after the death of her son, James, by suicide. Having lost her other son, Vincent, to suicide years before, Li has undergone unimaginable trauma, yet she speaks on her experiences with such clarity that it is simply admirable. Even though it’s a book about loss and how to live after the loss of a child (or, rather, two children), it’s a book that encapsulates what it means to live in general; Li references books and plays and poems and philosophies that add on to her existing wisdom, and she also gives us really beautiful passages about what it’s like to be a mother, what it’s like to live with an abusive one, what it’s like to have severe depression but still want to live for your children, and what it’s like to grieve (although Li writes repeatedly that she hates the words “grief” or “grieving”).

Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor - Minor Black Figures follows artist Wyeth, a newcomer to New York, as he tries to find his place in the contemporary Manhattan art scene while working part-time as an art restorer. At the same time, he meets Keating, a white former seminarian who left the priesthood, and begins a romantic relationship with him. If there’s one novel that perfectly encapsulates what it’s like to live in the United States during the 21st century, it’s this one. It’s a novel that truly captures every aspect of humanity: why we’re drawn to religion, why we create art, what it means to be a person in an increasingly political climate, and what it means to create art in a political world. Wyeth has got to be one of my favorite characters in contemporary literature—he’s complicated and constantly makes mistakes, but he’s also hyperaware of how people perceive him and always tries to control the way people view him. Overall, it’s a stunning look at how to live in today’s America.

kylee’s book recommendations

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury - Something Wicked This Way Comes follows two thirteen-year-old boys, Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, as a mysterious carnival arrives in their small town and begins to prey on the deepest desires of its residents. What makes this novel so memorable is how it captures both the magic and terror of growing up. Beneath its supernatural premise, the story explores aging, temptation, fear, and the choices that shape our lives. Bradbury creates a distinctive atmosphere, blending horror and beauty in a way that stays with the reader.

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado - Within this memoir, Machado explores her experience in an emotionally abusive relationship through a series of inventive narrative forms. Rather than following a traditional memoir structure, Machado reshapes the genre, exploring memory, trauma, and storytelling itself. What stood out most was the book’s originality; each chapter tells the story from a different angle, creating a fragmented but powerful portrait of her experience. Across the book, she reflects on her upbringing, questions idealized ideas about queer relationships, and connects her story to larger conversations about abuse and representation. Overall, Machado’s writing is sharp, intelligent, and emotionally powerful.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Daisy Jones & The Six tells the story of the rise and fall of a fictional 1970s rock band through a series of interviews with its members decades after their breakup. The format makes the novel incredibly engaging, allowing each character to tell their version of events and revealing how memory can shift depending on who is speaking. The novel explores fame, creativity, addiction, and the sacrifices people make for success, but at its heart, it is a story about human connection and misunderstanding. Even though the band never existed, I found myself completely invested in their lives and music.

sierra’s book recommendations

Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth - Chloe Michelle Howarth can fully take credit for beginning my summer. This novel can’t help but transport you into a summer fantasy filled with burning passion, sapphic desire, and the disastrous turmoil that comes with falling in love. Howarth writes of the never-ending consequences and heartbreak that follow in one’s mind after discovering they’re not like anyone else in an unforgettable, much too accurate way. She will truly make you feel like she can easily explain every complex thought you’ve ever had, and do it beautifully. If you’re looking for a book to begin your summer, stop here.

Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy - I listened to this on a whim during a long road trip, and wow, was I satisfied. I thought I knew how this story would play out, but Jennette McCurdy had me surprised and intrigued the whole way through. As I usually see young characters in modern works come off a bit corny, I thought Waldo was so unique and true to the experiences of our times’ young women that I couldn’t help but root for her. Half His Age was a fun, addictive read that I’ll always recommend.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin - By far one of my favorite stories touching on my favorite topic—complicated relationships. Gabrielle Zevin crafted these characters so beautifully and carefully, and I will no doubt be holding them close forever. The number of times I loved and hated each one of them (specifically Sadie Green) as much as anyone in my own life directly shows how much thought went into them. The art of Ichigo and every other world these characters designed will forever inspire my own art.

Thank you for reading this month’s selection of books! If you want to keep receiving book recommendations from us, feel free to subscribe, and look out for our next issue of Interstice Journal, coming out this month!

Learn more about our editors here!

If you want to submit to our journal, read our submission guidelines here.

what we're reading in may

interstice journal — Sun, 03 May 2026 20:52:18 GMT

Hello, and welcome to “What We’re Reading,” a section of Interstice Journal where our editors share our favorite books of the month!

We’re beginning this section to further promote community on our Substack. Through these book recommendations, we hope you can get a sense of the kinds of works we like to read and publish, and that you add some great books to your TBR as well!

If you’ve read any of the books we recommend, or if you have any of your own recommendations, feel free to leave a comment below!

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belton’s book recommendations

Intimacies by Katie Kitamura - Intimacies follows an unnamed narrator as she moves to the Hague to work as a translator at the International Criminal Court. As the narrator progresses through her days, we get some really beautiful observations on relationships, translation/mistranslation, and the performance of a courtroom and of society itself. This novel is brilliant—it’s my second time reading it. Kitamura’s writing is incredibly sharp, clean, and concise. My favorite thing about all of Kitamura’s novels is the introspective nature of the narrator; in Intimacies, she observes every little detail of every interaction—the way certain characters act towards others, or how a deeper conversation could occur beneath the surface of words. I believe this is a story that encapsulates everything about what it means to be a human living in society.

Brawler by Lauren Groff - As a person who does not typically read short story collections, I fell in love with this one. Lauren Groff’s collection, Brawler, contains nine powerful stories that showcase Groff’s immense talent. Some stories will leave you with a pit feeling in your stomach, but all stories feature incredibly complex and nuanced characters that jump right off the page, even in a limited word count. Each story is grounded in complex human nature, and that’s what gives them so much power. My personal favorite stories are “The Wind,” “Birdie,” “What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf?,” and “Annunciation,” which I know is essentially half the collection, but that has to tell you something about how good Groff is at her craft.

Discipline by Larissa Pham - Discipline centers on a woman named Christine on a book tour for her latest release, a revenge-fantasy novel based on a real-life relationship she had with an older art professor. In the first half of the novel, Christine documents several conversations with people she meets on her tour, while the second half of the novel follows her as she meets up with the professor one last time at his home in Maine. This book is simply incredible; it explores what it means to make art, to be an artist, and to create fiction that borders on reality. It’s also about love, revenge, compassion, and how to forgive someone when you’ve spent your entire life in the shadow of their past actions. Pham has such control over the English language—each conversation in this novel is illuminating and filled with so much wisdom, and the narrator’s meditations on life are divine.

kylee’s book recommendations

Funny Story by Emily Henry - Funny Story by Emily Henry is a 5-star read for me. It’s not just a romance, but also a story about heartbreak, healing, and unexpected friendship. What stands out most is how naturally the relationships develop and how real the characters feel as they deal with heartbreak, identity, and starting over. The main characters have a dynamic that is both funny and emotionally grounded, with strong banter that Henry does really well. Her writing is witty and easy to read, but it also slows down at the right moments to show more vulnerable emotions, which makes the story feel meaningful and not just light. Overall, Funny Story goes beyond a typical romance by focusing on personal growth and unexpected connection. That mix of humor and emotion is what makes it a five-star read for me.

The Colours of Man by Micheàl Ó Conghaile - I really enjoyed this story for its thoughtful and honest exploration of human experiences. This is a translated version of the book, as it was originally written in Irish. Each story focuses on everyday people and situations, but still manages to feel meaningful and thoughtful. The writing style is simple and easy to understand, which makes the stories very accessible, but it still has a lot of emotional depth beneath the surface. I liked how the book explores different feelings and experiences without making things feel overly complicated or dramatic. Instead, everything feels real and grounded, like you’re getting a glimpse into real moments in people’s lives. Overall, it’s a strong collection that is both easy to read and impactful, and it left me thinking about the stories even after finishing it.

Absolute Martian Manhunter Vol. 1 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodriguez (Artist) - This story feels very unique compared to other superhero comics. It’s interesting and kind of strange in a good way, and it keeps you curious about what is going on. I also really liked the art style, since it uses bright colors and creative layouts that make the whole comic book feel different and more emotional. Even though it can be a little confusing at times, it’s still engaging and fun to read. Overall, it’s a strong start to the series and definitely stands out because of its style and creativity.

sierra’s book recommendations

Heart The Lover by Lily King - Heart The Lover is by far one of my favorite books of the year. It reminded me of why I love writing in the first place, with its blunt, raw prose and messy relationships. These characters have become permanent in my head; I love them dearly, flaws and all. Heart the Lover is a flawless, easy read that will hook you the moment you begin. I’m obsessed.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman - This story will stick with me forever. Its despondent nature acts as its own character, haunting you the entire book, just as this world haunts every woman we grow to know. I still think about every day what makes the main character human, and it has given significance to every move I've made since. If you’re into feeling hopeless but reflective, I Who Have Never Known Men is perfect for you.

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson - I went into this book knowing nothing about it, and honestly, I loved it. As Jeanette grows up in 1960s evangelical England, on her way to becoming a missionary, she stumbles over the deep flaws and obsessions that are her church. The insanity of her mother and elders blew my mind as I felt I’d never seen control and blindness so close. In the end, Jeanette creates a new reality: she doesn’t have to burn her entire upbringing because they betrayed her. She can choose to live her life and still acknowledge her mother, even if they don’t agree, because, after all, love still stands. This story nurtures love from beginning to end. It was both quirky and shocking to read as someone who is not related to the church in any way.

Thank you for reading this month’s selection of books! If you want to keep receiving book recommendations from us, feel free to subscribe, and look out for our next issue of Interstice Journal!

Learn more about our editors here!

If you want to submit to our journal, read our submission guidelines here.