T.J. Newman's 'Drowning,' Luis A. Urrea's 'Good Night, Irene' among 5 books not to miss

In search of something good to read? USA TODAY's Barbara VanDenburgh scopes out the shelves for this week’s hottest new book releases. All books are on sale Tuesday.

For more must-read book recommendations, check out the 20 books we are most excited about this summer, including Elliot Page's memoir "Pageboy" and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead's new novel "Crook Manifsto"; our favorite books of 2022 that received perfect four-star reviews; and the juiciest recent celebrity memoirs from Matthew Perry, Tom Felton, William Shatner, Jennette McCurdy and more.

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'Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421'

By T. J. Newman (Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, fiction)

What it's about: Flight attendant turned bestselling author Newman returns with another page-turning airplane thriller after the 2021 hit “Falling.” Flight 1421 crashes into the ocean six minutes after takeoff and sinks to the bottom, 12 passengers trapped inside and fighting for their lives.

The buzz: "A taut, gripping yarn. Not for the weak-kneed," says a starred Kirkus review.

• "Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421" at Amazon for $18

• "Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421" at Bookshop.org for $26

'Good Night, Irene'

By Luis A. Urrea (Little, Brown, fiction)

What it's about: Taking inspiration from his own mother’s Red Cross service, Urrea writes a romantic historical novel about World War II heroism and friendship forged on the front lines as Irene Woodward and Dorothy Dunford, members of the Donut Dollies, support the Allied forces.

The buzz: A starred Kirkus review calls it "top-shelf historical fiction delivered with wit and compassion."

• "Good Night, Irene" at Amazon for $25

• "Good Night, Irene" at Bookshop.org for $26

‘Beware the Woman’

By Megan Abbott (Putnam, fiction)

What it’s about: Newlyweds Jed and Jacy celebrate a baby on the way with their first road trip, to visit Jed’s father in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. But the trip doesn’t go as planned, and a health scare has Jacy feeling trapped. Is it just cabin fever, or is something sinister afoot?

The buzz: Kirkus Reviews calls it “an unsettling, nightmare-inducing morsel from a master of suspense.”

• "Beware the Woman" at Amazon for $21

• "Beware the Woman" at Bookshop.org for $26

‘The Wishing Game’

By Meg Shaffer (Ballantine, fiction)

What it’s about: A reclusive bestselling children’s author holds a contest to give away the one and only copy of his new book. Kindergarten teacher’s aide Lucy Hart, for whom the author’s books were a balm as a neglected child, competes to win the coveted prize.

The buzz: "This is wish fulfilment in the best way," says a starred review from Publishers Weekly.

• "The Wishing Game" at Amazon for $24

• "The Wishing Game" at Bookshop.org for $26

‘When the Vibe Is Right’

By Sarah Dass (Balzer + Bray, fiction)

What it’s about: In this enemies-to-lovers romance set against Trinidad’s Carnival celebration, Tess Crawford must make peace with her annoying classmate Brandon Richards, whose social media prowess could help her save her family’s Carnival costume company.

The buzz: "An exciting and sentimental love story perfect for romance lovers who appreciate multifaceted characters," says a starred Kirkus review.

• "When the Vibe Is Right" at Bookshop.org for $19

• "When the Vibe Is Right" at Amazon for $20

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: T.J. Newman's 'Drowning,' new Luis A. Urrea: Must-read books this week