Forget AI oopsies; here are some of the best books to kick off your summer reading, from the steamy to the spine-chilling—and each hand-selected by the staff of VF.

Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe’s 7-year-old son Callum was in tears. According to Daddy, Callum’s most prized possession, his stuffed animal “Blue Bear,” was missing some girth due to much wear ...