33 Great Books to Read This Summer

Happy Tuesday!

I hope your week is going smoother than ours. It was a REAL Monday over here yesterday. June had her 1 year checkup and had another double ear infection. (We would’ve never known!) She also gave me her daycare germs and I came down with a cold at the end of the week last week but felt progressively worse yesterday, so after June’s doctor’s office visit and a trip to the pharmacy, I went into Urgent Care last night and turns out I also have an ear infection. 😆 (Which I haven’t had since I was…5?) I am hopped up on cold medicine and antibiotics and hoping they kick in soon!

This morning I’m working from one of my old stomping grounds–the Gold Coast, because I had to bring my car in for service downtown. Sometimes when I go to different coffee shops around the city, I remember specific blog posts I wrote at each one, and the minute I stepped in here I remembered writing this one in the exact same spot back in 2015: 15 Ways to Feel Inspired Today. That feels like a different lifetime ago!

In today’s post, we’re back with more reading reccos! (If you missed the latest roundup of great audiobooks, you might want to check that out too!) So if you’re looking for your next great read–you’re in the right place! 🙌🏼

Your favorite books to read this summer:

Over on Instagram, I asked what favorite books you’ve read lately, and as usual, you delivered! I rounded up the most popular submissions below by category, along with their Amazon descriptions. (Including a few notes on the ones I’ve read as well!) I am so excited about this list, because I’ve never heard of a lot of these titles! This will definitely keep me busy the rest of the summer!

Tip: If you’re a hard copy book lover, consider buying through Bookshop.org, where proceeds go to Independent bookstores!

Let’s jump in.

Thriller:

The Paris Apartment:

“Everyone’s a neighbor. Everyone’s a suspect. And everyone knows something they’re not telling.”

The Husbands:

“Utterly engrossing and thoroughly timely, The Husbands is both a gripping, well-crafted mystery and an insightful critique of motherhood and marriage in the modern age–working mothers everywhere will feel seen in the best possible way.” 

Verity:

“Whose truth is the lie? Stay up all night reading the sensational psychological thriller that has readers obsessed, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Ends With Us.”

The Silent Patient:

“The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive.”

The Golden Couple:

“Wealthy Washington suburbanites Marissa and Matthew Bishop seem to have it all—until Marissa is unfaithful. Beneath their veneer of perfection is a relationship riven by work and a lack of intimacy. She wants to repair things for the sake of their eight-year-old son and because she loves her husband. Enter Avery Chambers.”

Mystery:

The Maid:

“A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.”

The Guest List:

“A wedding celebration turns dark and deadly in this deliciously wicked and atmospheric thriller reminiscent of Agatha Christie from the New York Times bestselling author of The Hunting Party.”

The Finlay Donovan Series:

“Fast-paced, deliciously witty, and wholeheartedly authentic in depicting the frustrations and triumphs of motherhood in all its messiness, hilarity, and heartfelt moment, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a brilliant new series from YA Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano.”

Romance:

Reminders of Him:

“A troubled young mother yearns for a shot at redemption in this heartbreaking yet hopeful story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover.” **OK, I just finished this one, and as a fellow young mother of a daughter it was pretty gut-wrenching to read. Don’t get me wrong, I tore through it, but it was hard to handle in parts. Overall though it was very good, but just a heads up!

It Ends With Us:

“With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.”

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton:

“A poignant, funny tale of early-thirties love and loss’ Sunday Times Nina Dean has arrived at her early thirties as a successful food writer with loving friends and family, plus a new home and neighbourhood. When she meets Max, a beguiling romantic hero who tells her on date one that he’s going to marry her, it feels like all is going to plan.”

The UnHoneymooners:

“For two sworn enemies, anything can happen during the Hawaiian trip of a lifetime—maybe even love—in this romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling authors of Roomies.”

One Italian Summer:

“The New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years returns with a powerful novel about the transformational love between mothers and daughters set on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.” **Just finished this one too, and it was so good! Definitely an unexpected ending.

Seven Days in June:

“With its keen observations of creative life in America today, as well as the joys and complications of being a mother and a daughter, Seven Days in June is a hilarious, romantic, and sexy‑as‑hell story of two writers discovering their second chance at love.”

In a New York Minute:

“If you’re looking for the perfect ‘meet cute,’ look no further.  Adorable banter and countless laugh-out-loud moments makes this charming romance a true delight.”

The Charm Offensive: ​​​​

“In this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy—reminiscent of Red, White & Royal Blue and One to Watch—an awkward tech wunderkind on a reality dating show goes off-script when sparks fly with his producer.”

Normal People:

“Normal People is the story of mutual fascination, friendship and love. It takes us from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find that they can’t.”

Funny You Should Ask:

“Alternating between their first meeting and their reunion a decade later, this deliciously irresistible novel will have you hanging on until the last word.”

Fantasy:

ACOTAR:

“From bestselling author Sarah J. Maas comes a seductive, breathtaking book that blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read.” **I have been hearing about these books for years and it’s my goal to finally start them this summer!

The Gilded Ones:

“A dark feminist tale spun with blood and gold. Must read!”

Science Fiction/Fantasy:

Project Hail Mary:  

“From the author of The Martian, a lone astronaut must save the earth from disaster in this “propulsive” (Entertainment Weekly), cinematic thriller full of suspense, humor, and fascinating science—in development as a major motion picture starring Ryan Gosling.”

Cloud Cuckoo Land:

“From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of All the Light We Cannot See, comes the instant New York Times bestseller that is a “wildly inventive, a humane and uplifting book for adults that’s infused with the magic of childhood reading experiences”

Kindred:

“The visionary author’s masterpiece pulls us—along with her Black female hero—through time to face the horrors of slavery and explore the impacts of racism, sexism, and white supremacy then and now.”

The Midnight Library:

“In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig’s enchanting blockbuster novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.” **I feel like a Debbie Downer here, but I didn’t love this one. I thought it was very over-hyped and I found the protagonist annoying. I think it’s a very nice message though! 😂

Historical Fiction:

The Book of Lost Names:

“Inspired by an astonishing true story from World War II, a young woman with a talent for forgery helps hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis in this “sweeping and magnificent” (Fiona Davis, bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue) historical novel from the #1 international bestselling author of The Winemaker’s Wife.”

The Rose Code:

“The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Huntress and The Alice Network returns with another heart-stopping World War II story of three female code breakers at Bletchley Park and the spy they must root out after the war is over.” **I liked this one, can’t say I LOVED it. Doesn’t hold a candle to the Alice Network, but still a good WWII Historical Fiction read.

Lessons in Chemistry:

“Meet Elizabeth Zott: a one-of-a-kind scientist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show in this novel that is “irresistible, satisfying and full of fuel. It reminds you that change takes time and always requires heat”

MISC Fiction:

Malibu Rising:

“Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, the family drama that ensues will change their lives forever.” ** I don’t think I loved this as much as others did, it’s very good, but I think it’s very much a solid third place behind Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones. I wanted more from the character development after reading Evelyn and Daisy. Just managing expectations. 😂

Olga Dies Dreaming:

“Set against the backdrop of New York City in the months surrounding the most devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico’s history, Xochitl Gonzalez’s Olga Dies Dreaming is a story that examines political corruption, familial strife, and the very notion of the American dream—all while asking what it really means to weather a storm.”

Four Winds by Kristin Hannah:

“The Four Winds is a rich, sweeping novel that stunningly brings to life the Great Depression and the people who lived through it—the harsh realities that divided us as a nation and the enduring battle between the haves and the have-nots. A testament to hope, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit to survive adversity, The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.” **My friends raved about this book (we’re all Kristen Hannah fans) but I don’t think it was AS good as some of her other books!

Guncle:

“With the humor and heart we’ve come to expect from bestselling author Steven Rowley, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.”

Black Cake:

“Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names can shape relationships and history. Deeply evocative and beautifully written, Black Cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.” **I think this was probably the #1 most submitted book by you all! I’m buying it on my Kindle today!

Marrying the Ketchups:

“An irresistible comedy of manners about three generations of a Chicago restaurant family and the deep-fried, beer-battered, cream cheese-frosted love that feeds them all—from the best-selling author of Girls in White Dresses” **This was another very popular submission! It sounds so cute!

I hope this gives you a lot of great thought-starters for your next summer read!