Great Books You Should Read this Summer

When summer arrives, one of the things I look forward to most is extra time for reading. There is nothing quite like having a stack of books waiting on my nightstand – it is like having a drawer full of candy bars. Anytime I can get lost in a good book is the best time.

As the warm weather settles in and lazy days stretch ahead, summer is the perfect opportunity to lose yourself in a captivating story. Whether you are lounging by the pool, heading to the beach, or simply savoring the sunshine in your backyard, a great read can transport you to new worlds and offer a welcome break from the everyday.

In today’s world, when everyone is trying to escape endless scrolling, a good book offers an escape of a different kind. It’s the escape to other worlds, past, present or future, other ways to look at life, or meet characters we would never have known in our own lives.

I have pulled together this summer reading list with plenty of options for escape, learning, and thought-provoking stories. Whether you are starting fresh or adding to a list already in progress, I think you will find some compelling titles here worth tucking into your beach bag.

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Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Get Lost in a Good Book

With vacations, long weekends, and a more relaxed schedule, summer naturally invites you to slow down and breathe. It is the season that gives you permission to step away from the usual hustle and simply enjoy life at a slower pace.

One of the best things about getting lost in a good book is what happens to your mind. As you become engrossed in a story, your focus shifts away from the busyness of everyday life. The quiet moments spent with a good book bring a sense of calm that is hard to find any other way – and summer is the perfect season to seek it out.

Reading also asks something of you that most summer activities do not: your full attention. When you are truly engaged with a story, its characters, and its world, you are completely present. That kind of focused escape is its own form of rest.

And one of the great advantages of summer reading is the flexibility. You can read anywhere – at the beach, by the pool, on an airplane, in a park, or right in your own backyard. A book fits into almost any summer moment, whether you have two hours or twenty minutes.

I will be honest – I never feel like I have enough time for reading during the rest of the year. That is what makes summer such a gift.

With the year halfway over, it’s a good time to share my favorites so far. There are eleven books that I’ve read this year and wanted to recommend. Four didn’t make the cut.

This list is made up of books I’ve read this year and books that I’ve read in other summers. Some are new releases, and some are several years old. There are classics, historical fiction, romantic fiction, action, spy/mystery, and non-fiction. Some are funny, most are serious, some are mindless “beach books”, and some are thought-provoking.

Some books are ones I’ve read in previous summers. I have kept a running list of the books I read for decades. I include the author’s name, the type of book (F, NF, HF, M, etc.), the month, and the year I read it. I also include if I own the book or borrowed the book.

My primary source of books is our local independent bookstores and Amazon. (If I hear about a book I want to read immediately, I order it from Amazon.) Our church library is also a favorite source of books, and I buy a ton at the annual book sale in February.

The Classics

Here are some classic books that are perfect for summer reading and should be on your must-read list; you might have read these books when you were in high school or college:

I read some of these in high school and college, but several I’ve read in the past year.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Set in the summer on Long Island, this novel captures the decadence and excess of the Roaring Twenties. The lavish parties, romance, and tragic storyline make it an ideal summer read. Read in High School, college, and taught to juniors in high school
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I recently reread this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about justice, racism, and innocence in the American South that has become a timeless classic. Its coming-of-age story is both poignant and gripping. Read in High School, college, and taught to sophomores in high school. Read again about 3 three years ago.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. The beautiful story of the four March sisters as they navigate love, loss, and growing up during the American Civil War era. The themes of family and friendship make this a classic summer novel. Read twice.
Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. These beautifully written stories of life in the early 19th century will capture your imagination. Granted, the English language may be different from our 21st-century American English, but it is worth the effort to get through the books. I’ve read Emma for the second this year, P & P years ago, and S &S this year.

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I had never read this classic, so it was on my list this year. Loved it and highly recommend. Read in 2025

Anne of Green Gables book set — Version 1.0.0

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett – a classic I picked up at Posman Pooks in Atlanta in May. This is another classic that I never read as a child – shame on me. The cover edition was so pretty, I couldn’t resist. Released in 1911 and still meant as a children’s book, I think it’s perfect for anyone who loves a story about transformation, rebirth, and letting nature and magic take over lives. It’s a beautiful story (cried at the end), and I was enchanted by the three children who turn sorrow into happiness. I watched the 1993 movie (rented on Prime Video), and it was wonderful to see The Secret Garden and Misselthwaite Manor come to life. I just ordered it for my granddaughters’ upcoming beach trip. Read June 2026.

These timeless novels not only provide great summer reading entertainment but also offer profound insights into human nature, making them literary classics worth revisiting or discovering for the first time.

Newer Fiction

A couple of these books were written before 2020, but some are very new. and cover a variety of topics, times and places. There isn’t a “beach-read” per se on the list – but give me a beach and I’ll read anything that’s really good.

This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page – This may be my favorite on the list. It was a book club pick from Her Literary Society. After watching the author interview, I knew I had to order it immediately. It’s a romance, but not in the way you think. It’s beautifully told, and the main character, Matilda Nightengale – how’s that name for a book character – will grab your heart from the first page. You become part of Tilly’s life-changing year-long adventure in books.

If you love books, bookstores, and how books change lives, you will love this story. I absolutely loved this story. One of my top picks for this year. I will be reading more of LIbby Page’s fiction.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans – Another book that everyone was talking about the past year. I held off for a while, but finally sat down with this story in early March. I really wanted to like this book, and I really did. The power of finding peace in literature and connection with people we might never meet in person really spoke to me.

I wish I were a letter writer like Sybil. I have written the most beautiful letters, but they are all in my head, so, of course, they’ve never been mailed. I don’t have the patience for it. Maybe I should use one of those voice-to-text apps. I do, like Sybil, expect my life to blissfully go on forever. Sybil becomes a memorable character you will remember long after you finish the book.

Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans – when we were in Atlanta in May, my granddaughter, Annabelle, who is an avid reader. As we sat out by the pool one afternoon, she brought out stacks of her books to show me. She primarily reads Young Adult fiction series across different genres, but history and love stories are her favorites.

Love and Gelato is the first in a series of teenage romances set in different countries. She insisted I take it home to read, and, of course, I did. I was dubious, but I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a teenager who is sent to Italy when her mom dies. There she lives with her mom’s best friend, who may or may not be her father. There’s mystery, intrigue, and a flirtation with a handsome young Italian teen. This book comes closest to a light, fluffy beach read. If you like a simple, fast read that reminds you of teenage struggles, this is for you. Or give to a teenage girl in your midst.

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis (one of several books I bought in February at our church library’s annual book sale) tells of two historical eras with two heroines. Both time frames focus on a Gilded Age mansion that affects the lives of those who lived and breathed its history. Based on the real-life story of the Frick family and the Frick Collection in New York City, it dives deep into the family relationships and a decade-old mystery as seen through the eyes of Lilian and Veronica. I’m dying to tour this iconic jewel of art that lives on long after the intimate details of the family are revealed in this novel. Excellent historical novel.

Secrets of Secrets by Dan Brown – Sweet Shark and I love suspense and spy thrillers. (Gabriel Allon by Daniel Silva series, Mitch Rapp by Vince Flynn series), and, of course, Dan Brown’s books, starting with the Da Vinci Code) His newest thriller is a whirlwind thriller based in Prague (where we’ve been) that takes place in a little over 24 hours. Sweet Shark took abut two weeks to read it, and I finished it in four days. I love the mix of history, science, and complicated deductions in all Brown’s books. Just picture Tom Hanks as you read the book, and have a rollicking good time.

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi – the NY Times Bestseller that has been on everyone’s reading list, this almost magical story was our church book club’s June pick. I had read so many glowing reviews, I was almost inclined to be skeptical.

At first, I wasn’t sure where this story was going. But I have to tell you, it is an amazing gem of a story. I see people asking on Facebook whether they should read it, and my answer is absolutely yes. You will love Theo and his effect on this small but vibrant town in Georgia and the people who live there – ordinary, everyday people who each have a story as compelling as Theo’s own. There are places you will laugh and places you will cry. But Theo would say that’s OK. Isn’t that what life is about? READ IT NOW!

Whistler by Ann Patchett – brand new, just released at the beginning of June. I signed up for our new local independent bookstore’s first book club meeting next week. When I went to pick the book up at Bird’s Bookstore and saw the cover, I thought the story was about a horse. (The horse on the cover looks exactly my horse.) Although there is a horse in the novel, it’s not about a horse. It’s about family relationships that ebb and flow over decades.

Daphne Fuller tells the story of her family in present-day NYC and how a car accident with her then stepfather has a huge effect on her life. Some scenes are hilarious, some are sad. The characters are so real. The relationships between Daphne and Eddie, Daphne and her mother, and Daphne and her husband will resonate with readers. I loved this story and didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait for the book club meeting on June 30.

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn – another church library book. I love historical fiction, and I”ve read two earlier books by Kate Quinn. This one, set in 1930-1940’s Russia during World War II, is equally riveting, but more disturbing. What sets it apart is that 1. It focuses on the 1941-42 invasion of Russia by the Nazis from the Russian point of view. Even more interesting is that 2. The story is told from the point of view of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a Russian sniper who killed 309 Germans during the siege of Odesa and Sevastopol. She later became a friend of Eleanor Roosevelt. I’ll let you figure out how that comes about. It’s (almost) all true.

To be honest, I’ve never read a book about WWII (and I’ve read several dozen) from a Russian perspective. The story is highly entertaining, educational, and eye-opening. NOTE: Wait until you finish the book to Google about Mila.

The Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank – I bought this book at the Posman Book Store (Avalon location) in Atlanta in May. I can’t imagine ever going to Atlanta again without visiting this lovely store. I saw the title and remembered the title from years ago. It was the Bank’s only book, but it had a tremendous impact on the literary world for decades: “praised for its witty, poignant, and insightful portrayal of a young woman’s coming-of-age, exploring themes of relationships, career, and family with a blend of humor and seriousness.” This edition is for the 25th anniversary of the book’s 1999 publication. You will laugh and cry with Jane as she navigates life.

NOTE: Normally, I also read a fair amount of non-ficture, but I haven’t so far in 2026.

I hope that you’ll pick one or two, three, or more of these books to read this summer or into the rest of the year. I feel certain you won’t be disappointed.

I just created a new Pinterest Board titled Great Books for All Seasons. I can’t wait to add books and book lists to it. If you would like to learn about displaying and using books in your home decor, check out this Board, Book Styling.