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There’s something magical about summer reading—the way a good book can transport you to another place, whether you’re lying in the sun or curled up on a lazy afternoon. We know our readers are never far from their next favorite read. So, we turned to you—our community of passionate, thoughtful, well-read book lovers—to find out what stories you return to again and again. And as always, he delivered.
From ocean breeze reads to moving memoirs, edge-of-your-seat comedies to summery novels, this list has it all. These are the books you reach for when you want to escape, be inspired, or just get lost in a good story. So whether you’re packing for travel or planning a staycation, these 27 favorites will last you all season long.
Summer Reading in Your Own Words
Historical Fiction
The Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher
The perfect long summer novel! – Helen G.
The Drifters by James Michener
It likes to search the souls of these young people while they are traveling in foreign countries. —Ele V.
Wine Makers by Jan Moran
Businesswoman, wine, travel, romance, and a little mystery—everything you could want in one book! — Melissa L.
Walk like a River by Shelley Read
There’s something about a book that grabs you early—you know you won’t get bored reading it outside, iced coffee in hand, while your toddler sleeps. This one did that for me. I loved that it wasn’t hard-set on a particular genre, it followed the perspective of a young woman (which I will always support), and honestly, I couldn’t resist the peach on the cover – it just screamed summer. — Lisbeth C.
Women by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah never misses, either Women this is not the case. As a nurse and lover of historical fiction, I was completely captivated by this powerful story of the often overlooked women who served in Vietnam. Hannah’s writing is both heartbreaking and empowering, reminding us that heroism doesn’t just end on the battlefield—it lives on in the courage and compassion of women, too. A must read this summer.— Mary Ann R.
The Beach at Summerly by Beatriz Williams
Couldn’t put it down. Great characters, and an interesting time in history that isn’t often written about in fiction. A beautiful beach read for anyone who likes a little history of romance and scandal. —Emily L.
Modern Fiction
Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan
Maine a multi-generational family drama full of secrets, sibling rivalry, and Catholic guilt, set in a beach house on the coast of Maine. With four complex narrators—Alice, Kathleen, Ann Marie, and Maggie—you’ll love (and hate) them all. — Jamie D.
A colony by Anne Rivers Siddon
A retro book, yes, a classic family saga set on the coast of Maine. My friends and I go back to this every summer! — Carolyn H.
Women in the Sunlight by Frances Mayes
I started reading this book in the late summer of 2018, and while the ‘buying a retirement villa in Tuscany’ feature is there, the real draw is its dreamy, sometimes lofty inspiration, no matter what stage of life. He showed me how to enhance hosting with what I call ‘life vignettes,’ with beautiful, detailed descriptions of food, scenery, and simple gatherings. I read it again every summer as a mid-year reset. -Trisha D.
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
The perfect combination of romance, female friendship, flowers, and personal development. – Tess P.
Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
It offers everything from romance, mystery, drama, and unexpected twists! GOOD!! —Ann S.
Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
It offers such a sweet glimpse of a dreamy Nantucket summer with a twist! – Charlotte M.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
An easy read set during the summer season, this sweet and lively story carries subtle messages for women of all ages. Ann Patchett artfully weaves timelines and characters to keep you engaged, while the content always shines—like light shimmering on water. —Dréa P.
Star Darling by Erica Vipond
I’m a local writer from Austin, and while the story explores a complicated mother-daughter relationship, it’s also a whodunnit mystery with an epic journey through Europe—capturing the romance of Rome and Amsterdam in the spring. — Erica V.
Paper Palace with Miranda Cowley Heller
Paper Palace drew me in from page one with its dark, salt-soaked Cape Cod setting and emotional honesty. It follows a woman caught between the life she built and the one that might have been—a deeply relatable exploration of memory, choice, and the beauty of the present. Warm, boisterous, and richly written, it’s a perfect summer afternoon read. — Melissa S.
A Good Life with Virginie Grimaldi
It’s about family, love, the past, and relationships—and I love the French way of life it captures, with families coming together in summer resorts like Biarritz. The author, a French bestseller that I have been reading for over 10 years, has a way of making you feel the story and smile with every book. — Miriam C.
Romance
Hthe world Bones with Colleen Hover
I’m not serious—I’m too low. This book has the largest layout of all. — Deborah C.
Undomestic The goddess with Sophie Kinsella
I keep coming back to this book because it’s a great reminder of what’s really important. It’s a great read for anyone feeling down—funny, cute, and full of heart in Sophie Kinsella’s signature style. — Sharon C.
The Reef by Nora Roberts
I also study every summer. Beaches, diving, cursing, fun, and romance. — Candace B.
A mystery
A Benevolent Society for Women of Moral Discipline by Alison Goodman
Funny, romantic, feminist, and so, so engaging. I could spend the rest of my vacation just reading about the adventures of this brave, intelligent woman, who wanders around London helping women in need while constantly clashing with a mysterious and intelligent man. —Diana E.
The reputation of The wind with Carlos Ruiz Safon
What better summer read than one that takes you to another place and time? Hello, Barcelona! Filled with fascinating characters, mystery, intrigue, and a labyrinth of a library, Spirit Shadow it is the total response of the page. A perfect escape, especially if you can’t make it to Spain this summer! —Leila W.
We were not liars by E. Lockhart
A deeply emotional story set in a summer home on an island, it immerses you so fully in the season that you’ll feel like you’re right there on the beach with the characters. —Megan N.
Jokes/Sarcasm
Hello Ladies! by Michelle Markowitz and Caroline Moss
If you often find yourself starting a message with “Hey Ladies!” then you’ll love this book—no matter how old you are. An easy, fun, and funny read told entirely through emails, texts, DMs, and more—relatable and incredibly creative. — Lizi B.
Crazy Rich The Asians The Trilogy by Kevin Kwan
The picture is amazing—it’s easy to lose yourself in this beautiful, glamorous world that most of us can only imagine. The characters are richly developed, with much greater depth than in the film adaptation. I love this trilogy so much, I’ve read it twice and plan to go through it again this summer. —Natalie K.
A variety of things
Life It’s impossible with Matt Haig
Although it is a new book and not a classic, it achieves that perfect balance of writing and pacing. And it confirms that there is no time when life is “over”. There’s always a new adventure to be had if you’re open to it! — Megan J.
I A traveler with Sharon Creech
This may be an average read, but don’t let that stop you from reading the sweet, lyrical story of thirteen-year-old Sophie who crosses the ocean to England to meet her grandfather—and discovers herself along the way. It has a little adventure, a little mystery, and a lot of beautiful, evocative descriptions of the sea and the small, dreamy islands that Sophie visits. If you can’t make it to the beach this summer, reading this book is the next best thing! —Kathryn L.
A gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
This book was written in 1955 and still applies to women today. I also study every summer. — Brenda L.
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