Summer Reading List

I love reading and I find that I read many more books in the summer months than I do throughout the year. Probably, because we spend so much time at the pool and library from June to August. I’ve been sharing my book reads on Instagram for the last couple of years and surprisingly you guys like to hear about what I’ve read and what I’m reading. I assume that many of us will have more reading time in the coming months so I’m sharing my favorite summer reads to read this summer. These are all books I’ve actually read and enjoyed.

What kind of books are they?

I’m almost exclusively a “happy ending” reader. Except for non-fiction and Harry Potter – I don’t love reading books that aren’t “light” – all of these books I would consider light reads that end happily. I think that’s the best of kind of read for the summer.

One Night on the Island by Josie Silver | I read One Day in December several years ago and immediately fell in love with Josie Silver’s writing. The setting of the book is a remote Irish island. Two characters, Cleo and Mac end up staying in the same accommodation due to a booking mix-up. It’s witty and warm and it makes you want to visit this charming island yourself.

The Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland | Elyssa Friedland has a new book coming out this summer that I’m really excited about because this one was so great. If you love the idea of a Dirty Dancing style summer camp getaway then that’s basically the Golden Hotel. The family-owned hotel is falling apart and a contractor has made a decent offer, can the family save the Golden Hotel? Fabulous summer read that will have you looking up hotels in the Catskills for your own summer getaway.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry | Emily Henry is my girl. Literally, she could write the dictionary and I’d read it and give it 5 stars. I love her. She also has a new one out this summer, Funny Story, that’s on my reading list for this summer. Book Lovers is my favorite Emily Henry book to date. I love the chemistry between the characters and I’m totally obsessed with the setting.

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune | I don’t remember a lot of details about this book but I gave it 5 stars! I do remember loving the characters and the nostalgic feeling of being a carefree kid in the summer. The book is set in the present with a good portion of it being flashbacks to when the two mains are kids. It’s a bit of an emotional roller coaster but as I require, it has a happy ending. Carley Fortune also has a new book out this summer that’s on my list – This Summer Will Be Different

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt | Likely you’ve already read this so you aren’t surprised to see it on my list but if you haven’t, what are you doing? Immediately put it in your cart, put it on hold at the library, READ it. You may be unsure about reading from the perspective of an octopus but it’s brilliant, heartfelt, and had me not wanting to put this book down.

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune | My first Carley Fortune book had me hooked. It was a quick read and rather predictable but I really enjoyed the storyline.

The Good Part by Sophie Cousens | Imagine everything is going wrong. You’re literally down to your last penny and you just wish you could skip to the good part. Then, you wake up in the good part, except you don’t recognize any of it as your own life. That’s the storyline here. Not your typical time-traveling story, this one really had me in my feelings about what I would choose in this situation.

Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley | A story of a group of commuters coming together to form an unlikely friendship. The story is told from the point of view of each commuter so we get to know their stories and the one who brings them all together, Iona.

Happy Place by Emily Henry | I’ve already talked about my love for EH and have my favorite book of hers on the list but Happy Place is another one that is a great summer read. Taking place in everyone’s “happy place” the book centers around two characters that had recently broken up but haven’t told their close friends. They struggle to keep up appearances while they try to find the right time to tell everyone…

The Lost Summers of Newport by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White | I occasionally enjoy historical fiction and this one was enjoyable. Set in three different time periods, the stories of three different are woven together and some secrets are uncovered. This book kept my attention and I loved the coastal setting.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It (and the three others) by Elle Cosimano | If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve heard me talk about the Finlay Donovan series. I listen to audio versions of these books and am so entertained. Finlay Donovan and her nanny sidekick Vero are way in over their head while they dabble in criminal activity and get caught up in a real-life murder investigation. These books are hilarious, and suspenseful, with a touch of romance. I can’t wait until the next edition of Finlay’s escapades.

Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez | A man and a woman agree to date just for a summer. 4 months, 1 kiss, and a breakup, except they might actually really be into each other. This book is a romance but it touches on mental health issues and the complexities of loving someone who struggles. This was a fun read but also heartwarming.

Tell me, have you read any of these books? Or are you planning on adding any of these to your summer reading list? Also please let me know in the comments any books I should be reading this summer so I can add them to my list as well. Happy reading!