The first day of summer is June 21, which means it’s close to time to kick back and relax.

What better way to relax than reading a book you just can’t put down? Nothing is better than cracking open a new book on warm, lazy afternoon.

Of course, if you are headed to the beach a book is a perfect companion.

Keep an eye out for these new books to be published this summer.

'Mr. Mercedes' by Stephen King

The latest from Stephen King is sure to thrill. King calls this his first “hard-boiled” detective novel.

A lone driver plows through a crowd at a job fair in a stolen Mercedes, killing eight people. The murderous driver is never found.  

The novel follows Bill Hodges, a retired cop, who is haunted by the unsolved crime.  

When Hodges receives a tip that the driver is attempting to rack up an even greater body count, he vows to stop him.

'Summer house with Swimming Pool' by Herman Koch

Another psychological thriller from the author of “The Dinner,” this story follow a doctor to the rich and famous whose summer vacation goes horribly wrong.

After a disquieting vacation with his rich clients, one of his patients ends up dead.

Koch’s characters are complex and at times very unnerving but the novel is fascinating to those who enjoy skillfully developed characters.

'Written in My Own Heart’s Blood' by Diana Gabaldon

After a few delays Gabaldon’s latest entry in the Outlander series is finally released.

The Outlander series is a bestselling historical romance series originally set in Scotland.

The series spans multiple decades and is sure to delight fans of the genre.

This latest entry follows the main characters, Claire and Jamie, as they try to survive and stay together during the revolutionary war in Philadelphia.

'The Silkworm' by Robert Galbraith

“The Silkworm” is the next novel from Robert Galbraith, actually a pen name for J.K. Rowling, famous for her Harry Potter series.

Her first novel underneath that pen name, “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” shot to the top of the bestseller charts once it came out that Robert Galbraith was actually Rowling.

“Silkworm” continues to follow private detective Cormoran Strike.

When a novelist goes missing Strike is called in to look into his disappearance. When it turns out that the novelist was actually murdered it’s a race against time to find the killer.

“The Silkworm” is a traditional mystery novel that may appeal to readers of Agatha Christie.

To find these books and more at your local library visit the Lake County Library Web site at www.library.lakecountyca.gov .

Christopher Veach is the county librarian for Lake County, Calif.