Long summer days were meant for curling up with a good book.
Whether you’re spending a day at the beach or swaying in a hammock or just looking for something to do when it’s too hot to leave the house, you’ll definitely want a good book by your side.
There’s nothing like getting lost in the pages of a book. The hours seem to fly by and you feel like you’re the only person in the world. And now that things are finally starting to slow down this summer, you’ll have more time to devote to your beloved books.
If you don’t have travel plans this summer, no problem. All you have to do is pick up a book that will transport you to a different world or era and step into someone else’s shoes. You can live vicariously without the stress of air travel!
From classic must-reads to cozy mysteries to thrilling page turners, you’ll find your next favorite summer read below.
How to read more books this summer
First things first, if you’re looking to read more books this summer, here are some quick tips to help you get started.
- Keep a book log. A book log will help you stay accountable and motivated to read more books. Plus, you can use your book log to maintain a personal book report of sorts: briefly summarize the story, write down your favorite lines or passages, and describe how it made you feel. This is a great way to help you retain what you’ve just read. A summer book log will also serve as a nice time capsule. It’s always fun to flip through a log and see what you were into at the time, and glimpse into the life of your past self.
- Read books you actually want to read. This one sounds obvious but choose books you actually want to read. Don’t just read a book because everyone else is reading it or because you think it will impress others. You’re more likely to stick with a book that connects with your genuine interests, than a book that has you struggling to stay engaged. So fill your summer reading list with your favorite genres and authors. You’ll get a lot more reading done and you’ll have a great time reading as well.
- Read multiple books at a time. You don’t have to stick with the same book for the long haul. It’s okay to change up the books you’re currently reading. Some people like to read one book during the day and a different book at night. While others like to read different genres at a time, like a light–hearted book one week, and a cerebral non-fiction book the next. So if you ever need a break from a book, but don’t necessarily want to abandon it, set it aside and pick up a different book. This way, you won’t get bored, and you’ll keep reading.
- Start a summer book club. Reading doesn’t have to be a solitary affair. Get together with friends and loved ones to form a book club. Meeting regularly will give you the accountability you need to finish more books, and you’ll have fun socializing and discussing the book with others.
1. Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Journey by Ruth Reichl
If you love food writing or behind-the-scenes looks into other people’s workplaces, then you’ll definitely want to reach for Ruth Reichl’s latest book. The former editor in chief at Gourmet shares stories from her time running the prestigious magazine and sprinkles in some delicious recipes as well.
2. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
The first first book in her Neapolitan series, Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend is an engrossing and poignant story that chronicles the close and complicated friendship of two young women in Naples, Italy. After tearing through the first book, you’ll immediately want to follow it by tearing through the next three books in the series.
3. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
There’s nothing more soothing than a cozy mystery book. And this first book in Richard Osman’s popular Thursday Murder Club series has no shortage of comfort and warmth. The Thursday Murder Club centers on four amateur sleuths in a retirement village in England and it’s filled with twists and turns, along with plenty of laughs.
4. Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Summer’s slower pace will naturally leave you feeling more introspective. So use these summer months to look inward and identify aspects of yourself that you’d like to nurture and develop. If you’ve been struggling to find work-life-balance this summer, Glover Tawwab’s book will give you the tools and techniques you need to learn how to manage your personal or professional boundaries, and say “no” with confidence.
5. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Looking to work on your dream goals this summer? Then start by learning how to introduce good habits that will help you pursue your goals much more effectively. Clear offers simple and practical strategies that you can start implementing right away. Making these tiny steps and changes into your current routine will leave a huge impact on your goals by the end of the summer.
6. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Dark, sinister, and sharply witty, Patricia Highsmith’s classic thriller about con-man Tom Ripley will make you feel as if you are walking the cobblestone streets of Venice, while furtively glancing over your shoulder.
7. The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War By Ben MacIntyre
Fans of The Americans and John le Carré won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough in this heart pounding spy thriller. It has everything you love about the genre: double crossing agents, cold war tensions, wiretaps and paranoia. And the most thrilling part of all? It’s a true story.
8. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
It’s hard to describe this story without giving too much away, but trust us, this deeply engrossing book will draw you in by page one and stay with you long after you’re done.
If you’re looking for more book recommendations, read our article here.
Written by JiJi Lee
