Summer reading 2023: Books to read from San Diego authors

Twenty San Diego County authors — from bestselling novelists to first-time writers — have published new books this spring, ranging from personal memoirs, to thrillers, Westerns, poetry, summer romances and sci-fi. Here’s a peek at their books that have hit shelves in recent months or are debuting in the coming weeks.

“Inside Threat” by Matthew Quirk

(Matthew Quirk)

“Inside Threat” by Matthew Quirk

One of San Diego’s most successful writers, Quirk is the New York Times bestselling author of the thrillers “Red Warning” and “The Night Agent,” which is now a top-rated Netflix series. His latest novel involves an attack on the White House that sends the president and a small group of Washington elites into an underground bunker with career Secret Service agent Erik Hill. In the black box bunker, Hill discovers the attack was an inside job planned by someone inside the bunker with him and it’s up to Hill to save the president, himself and the country. Quirk will talk about his book at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Warwick’s. (HarperCollins, release date Tuesday; 432 pages)

“Sage” a book of poems by Marilyn Chin.

(Marilyn Chin)

“Sage” by Marilyn Chin

Retired San Diego State professor Marilyn Chin, winner of the Ruth Lilly Prize for lifetime achievement in poetry, has published her sixth collection of poems that touch on topics of social justice, the pandemic and Daoist wild girl satire. She describes herself as an “activist-subversive-radical-immigrant-feminist-transnational-Buddhist-neoclassical-nerd poet.” The book features tall tales, reinvented lovelorn folk songs, a raucous birthday poem, an “un-gratitude” prayer and a poem that mixes Chinese poems with hip-hop rhymes. She will discuss “Sage” on June 25 at Diesel Books in Del Mar. (W.W. Norton, May 2; 128 pages)

“A California Love Story” by John W. Thill.

(John W. Thill)

“A California Love Story” by John W. Thill

Oceanside author Thill started working on this book 36 years ago. “A California Love Story” is based on his recovery of nearly 100-year-old letters that were exchanged between his late grandparents, Ray and Dora Wilcox. Thill describes it as “a true love story based on optimism, love and positivity.” The story begins with their long-distance courtship, marriage and difficult decision to leave Kansas during the Dust Bowl years to make a fresh start in the then mostly undeveloped city of Oceanside in 1927. Thill has also woven in the region’s history from the ‘20s through the 1950s. (Amazon and Kindle Scribe, May 23; 334 pages)

“Kiss Me, Mi Amor: Love and Tacos” by Alana Quintana Albertson.

(Alana Quintana Albertson)

“Kiss Me, Mi Amor: Love and Tacos” by Alana Quintana Albertson

Quintana Albertson, a Latina bestselling romance and mystery novelist who lives in Poway, has written dozens of books in both English and Spanish. Her latest is book two (of two) on the character Carolina Flores, a Latina ethical farmer in Southern California who has a business relationship with the deeply smitten Enrique Montez, a smooth-talking taco shop chain owner. She’s not interested, but agrees to go on a series of fake dates with Enrique to appease her over-involved family — then sparks fly. She will discuss her book at 7 p.m. July 7 at Meet Cute Romance Bookshop, 4048 30th St., San Diego. (authoralanaalbertson.com, July 4; 304 pages)

“What It Takes to Save a Life” by Dr. Kwane Stewart.

(Kwane Stewart)

“What It Takes to Save a Life” by Dr. Kwane Stewart

Subtitled “A Veterinarian’s Quest for Healing and Hope,” this book by “Street Vet” Stewart, 52, of San Diego tells his personal story of leaving behind a comfortable veterinary practice in Central California and taking his expertise to the streets to offer free care for the pets of homeless individuals in San Francisco, L.A.’s Skid Row and now San Diego. His work has been documented in a Netflix series, on NBC’s “Today” show and now in a book. (Harper Collins, May 16; 224 pages)

Book cover for “The Gray” by Chris Baron.

(Macmillan)

“The Gray” by Chris Baron

Baron is an English professor at San Diego City College, and the author of two middle grade books published by Macmillan. His latest, “The Gray,” is the story of Sasha, a middle-schooler who has been bullied at school and is struggling with anxiety and grief. During a summer visit with his aunt in the country, he meets a horse nicknamed “the Gray,” who becomes his kindred spirit. But when one of his new summer friends disappears, Sasha’s own “gray” — anxiety — threatens to hold him back from helping out in the search. Baron will discuss and sign copies of his book at 7 p.m. Saturday at Warwick’s. $18.99 (includes book). (Macmillan-Feiwel & Friends, June 13; 300 pages)

“The Sacred Architecture of Irving J. Gill” by Rev. Dr. Mark Hargreaves

San Diego’s Irving J. Gill Foundation’s latest book on the influential California architect focuses on his many church designs. Gill died in Carlsbad in 1936 and his legacy of architecture can be found in Oceanside, Coronado and many other local cities. Hargreaves, an Episcopal priest in La Jolla, looks at Gill’s churches from both architectural and religious perspectives. In the book, he examines 14 churches Gill designed over a 35-year period from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. (Irving J. Gill Foundation, April 26; 117 pages)

“Not What I Expected” by Virginia Redman.

“Not What I Expected” by Virginia Redman

Redman, a retired English teacher who lives in Encinitas, has published this new young-adult novel about Allie, a high school student who is heartbroken when she learns her father is uprooting the family from a Chicago suburb to San Diego, where he has a new job. Fortunately, Allie makes a new group of friends in her adopted hometown. (Christian Faith Publishing, March 17; 143 pages)

“The Omega Legacy” by Bruce Golden.

(Bruce Golden)

“The Omega Legacy” by Bruce Golden

This San Diego native and professional writer for more than 45 years is the author of several science fiction novels, including “Monster Town,” “Red Sky Blue Moon” and “Evergreen.” His latest is the story of a future Earth, where humanity has been driven to extinction by a deadly virus, leaving only artificial intelligence to carry on. Theartificial intelligence super computers form their own society and attempt to restore the planet, but then a synthetic science creates a cloned human being and humans begin repopulating the Earth. (Self-published and available on Amazon, May 2; 3012 pages)

“Morning Leaves: Reflections on Loss, Grief, and Connection” by Laing F. Rikkers.

“Morning Leaves: Reflections on Loss, Grief, and Connection” by Laing F. Rikkers

This Encinitas poet is a leader in the field of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an often hidden and potentially fatal medical condition. After her sister died of undiagnosed OSA, Laing sought solace from nature and creativity, and wrote this book of poetry, “Morning Leaves,” to help others navigate grief. Her mission is to save lives by encouraging people to recognize the symptoms of OSA and take better care of themselves and their loved ones. (Simon & Schuster-Collective Book Studio, May 16; 104 pages)

“Moorewood Family Rules” by HelenKay Dimon.

(HelenKay Dimon)

“Moorewood Family Rules” by HelenKay Dimon

San Diego resident Dimon is a former divorce attorney who has written multiple thrillers under the pseudonym Darby Kane. Now she’s writing suspense and humor stories under her own name. The first is this story about Jillian Moorewood, who has returned home from serving a prison sentence for scams committed by her parents and other relatives. When she finds the family still wrapped up in crime, she embarks on a journey to straighten out her life and make a new one. (Kindle Scribe, April 25; 375 pages)

“The Retreat” by Zara Raheem.

(Zara Raheem)

“The Retreat” by Zara Raheem

This San Diego author’s 2019 debut novel, “The Marriage Clock,” was named a “must-read book of the summer” by Cosmopolitan and Popsugar. Her second, “The Retreat,” is about Nadia Abbasi, a young wife who discovers her husband is having an affair. To track down the truth, she enlists her estranged sister, Seba, who she hasn’t seen since their mother’s death a year before. Soon, Nadia is working to repair both her relationship with her sister and her marriage. (William Morrow Paperbacks, April 25; 350 pages)

“Defying Death: Medicine’s Journey Toward Immortality” by Bruno Leone and Michael A. Leone.

(Bruno Leone and Michael A. Leone)

“Defying Death: Medicine’s Journey Toward Immortality” by Bruno Leone and Michael A. Leone

Leone, a San Diego resident and Cal State San Marcos humanities adjunct professor, co-wrote this book with his grandson, fourth-year medical student Michael A. Leone of San Diego. The book outlines where medicine is heading to increase human life expectancy, how long it is possible to live and whether the human body will be necessary in the years to come. Could collective consciousness exist on a computer forever? (Reference Point Press, July 31; 144 pages)

“Stuff Nobody Taught You” by Summer McStravick.

(Summer McStravick)

“Stuff Nobody Taught You” by Summer McStravick

McStravick is an Encinitas resident and personal growth coach who created the Flowdreaming mind-body protocol. Her new book, subtitled “40 Lessons From M.E. School to Help You Stop Being Miserable and Start Feeling Amazing,” offers tips that blend psychology, spirituality and straight talk to make your life successful and happy. (Health Communication Inc., April 25; 336 pages)

“Chameleon: A Black Box Thriller” by Remi Adeleke.

(Remi Adeleke)

Born in West Africa, Adeleke moved to the U.S., joined the Navy in 2002 and became a Navy SEAL. The San Diego resident retired in 2016 and became an actor (“Plane” and “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test”). Next month, he’ll publish his first novel, a thriller about Kali Kent, a Nigerian-born member of a secret collective of highly skilled, chameleon-like CIA agents named “Black Box” who embark on a mission to rescue hostages captured by a mysterious South African commando. (Kindle Books, July 25; 368 pages)

“Windhaven” by David Burton.

(David Burton)

“Windhaven” by David Burton

This 12th novel from Oceanside author and veteran sailor Burton is a survival-at-sea adventure about the crew of the 70-foot sailboat Windhaven, which is severely damaged by a storm during an unsanctioned race around the world. Over a period of months, the crew members fight to keep their ship afloat and themselves alive while adrift at sea. (Kindle Scribe, Feb. 26; 321 pages)

“Gunslingers” by Kendall Roberts.

(Provided by Kendall Roberts)

“Gunslingers” by Kendall Roberts

This longtime San Diego resident won a Literary Titan book award for this debut novel, “Gunslingers,” a new Western about a quartet of gunslingers who set out to bring down the vicious rule of Governor Hogg in the state of Jefferson. Cousins Will and Finn team up with former territory ranger, David, and with Janie, the daughter of one of Hogg’s agents, on this death-defying battle for justice. (Atmosphere Press, Jan. 20; 316 pages)

“The Lowering” by Aran Jane.

(Aran Jane)

“The Lowering” by Aran Jane

Carlsbad novelist Jane writes suspense thrillers that incorporate futurist technologies and the paranormal. His best-known book is the 2020 murder mystery “The Water Column.” His next, “The Lowering” is an eerie thriller that takes an imaginative look at a number of hot topics such as the the surge in whale deaths, the rise and risks of AI and robotics, Elon Musk-level plutocracy and risks to the environment. (Kindle Edition, June 15, aranjane.com)

“My Life as a Cactus: Tales of a Rookie Reporter in Mexico” by Diane Asitimbay

(Diane Asitimbay)

“My Life as a Cactus: Tales of a Rookie Reporter in Mexico” by Diane Asitimbay

Author and content creator Asitimbay of San Diego has written the comic adventures of Sara, who quits her dead-end job in Queens and moves to Mexico to start a new life. “My Life as a Cactus” is about the start of friendship, healing and self-discovery (Kindle, April 29; 236 pages)

“Abundant Soul-utions” by Chris Atley.

(Chris Atley)

“Abundant Soul-utions” by Chris Atley

Solana Beach resident Atley is CEO and founder of Decisions-by-Design, a success coaching business. Her new book, subtitled “A Mompreneur’s Guide to Manifesting Success Through Self-Care,” shows how working moms and female entrepreneurs can manifest success by redefining what “having it all” means, shifting their perspective and discovering and trusting who they are through self-care practices. (Amplify Publishing, June 13; 200 pages)

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com

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