The approaching end of the spring semester typically means one thing is on my mind: summer vacation. Not only does it mean no more time spent in long classes, doing homework and studying for finals โ it means free time spent watching movies, listening to music and reading books (of my choice).
Summer vacation is the time for any pop culture junkies who are stuck in school eight months of the year to fully immerse themselves in what they love. Here is a guide of what Iโll be keeping an eye on and checking out this summer.
May
Book: โWhat I Leave Behindโ by Alison McGhee
After his dad commits suicide, Will tries to overcome his own misery by secretly helping the people around him, including Superman, the homeless guy he passes on his way to work; the Little Butterfly Dude he walks by on the way home; and Playa, his childhood friend. Release date: May 15.
Movie: โBook Clubโ
Starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen. Comedy. PG-13. ยญRelease date: May 18.
Movie: โDeadpool 2โ
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin and Bill Skarsgรยฅrd. Action, comedy. R. Release date: May 18.
Movie: โSolo: A Star Wars Movieโ
Starring Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke and Thandie Newton. Sci-Fi, fantasy, action. PG-13. Release date: May 25.
Album: โShawn Mendesโ by Shawn Mendes
Release date: May 25.
Book: โThey Come in All Colorsโ by Malcolm Hansen
Malcolm Hansenโs debut follows a biracial teenage boy in the 1960s and early โ70s who finds his new life in the big city disrupted by childhood memories of the summer when racial tensions in his hometown reached a tipping point. Release date: May 29.
June
Movie: โWonโt You Be My Neighbor?โ
Starring Joanne Rogers and Fred Rogers (archive footage). Documentary, biography. NR. Release date: June 8.
Movie: โIncredibles 2โ
Starring Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter and Samuel L. Jackson. Animation, kids and family. NR. Release date: June 15.
Book: โThe Lost for Words Bookshopโ by Stephanie Butland
Loveday Cardew prefers books to people. If you look carefully, you might glimpse the first lines of the novels she loves most tattooed on her skin. But there are some things Loveday will never, ever show you. Release date: June 19.
Movie: โJurassic World: Fallen Kingdomโย
Starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and Jeff Goldblum. Action, adventure. PG-13. Release date: June 22.
Album: โPray for the Wickedโ by Panic! at the Disco
Release date: June 22.
Book: โThe Museum of Usโ by Tara Wilson Redd
Sadie loves her boyfriend Henry and her best friend Lucie, but when something goes wrong and Sadie is taken to the hospital calling out for โGeorge,โ her hidden life may be exposed. Release date: June 26.
July
Movie: โThe First Purgeโย
Starring Yโlan Noel, Lex Scott Davis and Joivan Wade. Horror. NR. Release date: July 4.
Movie: โMamma Mia! Here We Go Againโ
Starring Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Cher and Lily James. Musical, comedy. PG-13.Release date: July 20.
Movie: โThe Equalizer 2โ
Starring Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Bill Pullman. Action, thriller. NR. Release date: July 20.
Album: โSweetenerโ by Ariana Grande
Release date: July 20.
Book: โContagionโ by Erin Bowman
After receiving a distress call from a drill team on a distant planet, a crew is sent into deep space to perform a standard search-and-rescue mission. Release date: July 24.
Book: โCharlotte Walsh Likes To Winโ by Jo Piazza
A novel about what happens when a woman wants it allโโpolitical power, a happy marriage and happiness โ but isnโt sure just how much sheโs willing to sacrifice to get it. Release date: July 24.
August
Movie: โChristopher Robinโย
Starring Ewan McGregor, Jim Cummings, Peter Capaldi and Hayley Atwell. Drama, adventure. G. Release date: Aug. 3.
Movie: โThe Darkest Mindsโย
Starring Amandla Stenberg, Mandy Moore and Harris Dickinson. Sci-fi, action. NR. Release date: Aug. 3
Book: โThe Last Best Storyโ by Maggie Lehrman
A fresh romantic comedy about two high-schools seniors who canโt quite admit they are in love. Includes a toga-wearing prom crasher, an emergency lockdown, a secret stalker and a wild after-party to bring our main characters together for one last story for the school paper. Release date: Aug. 7.
Movie: โCrazy Rich Asiansโย
Starring Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh and Gemma Chan. Comedy. PG-13. Release date: Aug. 17.
Book: โWe Regret to Inform Youโ by A.E. Kaplan
When a high achiever is rejected by every Ivy League college and her safety school, her life is turned upside down in this novel that puts college admissions in perspective. Release date: Aug. 21.