New Book Releases: May 11, 2021

Each week, I’ll catalog the biggest and most exciting adult and YA fiction — and the occasional nonfiction — coming out that Tuesday.

MARY JANE, Jessica Anya Blau. A teenager gets a summer job as a nanny in the house of a respectable local family, but that perception is quickly upended when a famous rock star moves in. “I dare you to find a more winning novel,” says Kevin Wilson. Bookshop.

ILLUSIONARY, Zoraida Córdova. Following a betrayal, a girl on the run joins forces with her enemy the prince to kill the king and save their kingdom. Bookshop.

PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION, Emily Henry. A delightful, clever romantic comedy about a travel writer attempting to reconcile with her best friend, with whom she used to go on a yearly summer vacation. “A warm and winning ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ update that hits all the perfect notes,” writes Kirkus in a starred review. Bookshop.

PRESS RESET, Jason Schreier. From Bloomberg’s video game reporter, an account of the events that led to the shocking closures of some of the industry’s most beloved game studios. “Both seasoned gamers and neophytes will learn a great amount of history, insight, and insider detail about an ever evolving business,” writes Kirkus. Bookshop.

COMPETITIVE GRIEVING, Nora Zelevansky. Tasked with disseminating his possessions after her best friend dies, a woman confronts the identity of who her friend appeared to be versus who he actually was. Bookshop.

MEETING IN POSITANO, Goliarda Sapienza, Brian Robert Moore (translator). While working on a film in Southern Italy, an actress and writer forms an intimate friendship with a beautiful widow known locally as “Princess.” “The insights on the relationship between love and money give this elegantly slender novel a nice bit of heft,” writes Publisher’s Weekly. Bookshop.