If you are a mood reader like me, then you might find yourself leaning to toward wanting to read lighter, contemporary novels this time of year. I decided to share a list of my favourite books that feel like summer reads to me. I actually had a hard time coming up with books to talk about because I tend to read heavier and darker novels, so I am thinking of posting a Summer TBR some time soon!
The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord
I read The Names They Gave Us recently and it was absolutely beautiful. It is actually the book that inspired me to write this post. It is set at a summer camp, so naturally it makes for a perfect book to read this time of year. The characters are charming and have a lot of depth, the setting is nostalgic, and the story itself is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I love that there is a romance, but the main focus is on friendship and the main character discovering who she is and what she wants.
Puddin’ by Julie Murphy
Puddin’ is a companion novel to Dumplin’ (which I also recommend), and it was really charming! Although the story takes place during the school year, it still has the feeling of a perfect summer read. It is sweet and light, but also has a lot of great messages. I loved how different the two main characters were, and watching them navigate their friendship was entertaining to say the least!
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Crazy Rich Asians is just plain fun! It has a large cast of characters who are each unique and ridiculous in their own way! It is so over the top and that makes it a great book to read on the beach or on vacation. There were so many moments that had me laughing out loud. The movie is also coming out on August 15th, 2018 so now is the time to read it.
The Seven Husbands on Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I am sure you have heard all the hype surrounding The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by now, and it deserves all of it and more! This book is close to perfect in my eyes! Evelyn Hugo is one of my favourite character and it was an absolute joy to read her story. The fact that there is a romance and something about it being set in Hollywood makes me think it is an ideal book to read in the summer!
A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean
A River Runs Through It is a very short and quiet story that takes place on the river with a large focus on fly fishing. It is a book that I could see myself reading in a cabin or while sitting by the lake. There is something about it that I found so relaxing. I highly recommend reading the book and then watching the movie, which stars Brad Pitt and is one of my absolute favourites.
Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore
The cover for Wild Beauty just screams spring/summer! The story is about a group of girls who are able to grow flowers and great gardens through magic. It is a beautiful story and just thinking about it makes me want to read it again. If you are a fan of magical realism done well then I think you will adore this book!
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
I’ll Give You the Sun is my favourite YA novel so I truly think everyone should read it! It is perfect for the summer for many reasons. Number one- it has the word “sun” right there is the title. Number two- it is set in California. Number three- the beach plays a large part in the story. This is another book that will warm your heart while breaking it at the same time. It is about sibling relationships, the magic of art, and the different ways we deal with grief.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
I adore To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before! Lara Jean is a character that I completely relate to and I know a lot of fellow readers did as well. There is a large focus on family, and her younger sister Kitty is hilarious! The entire series is fantastic and sweet and just so damn relatable! The final book, Always and Forever, Lara Jean, felt like is what written about my senior year of high school! It is a perfect series to binge-read while sitting in the sun.
The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty
I think Liane Moriarty’s books are meant to be read during the summer or while on vacation. They are so readable and you will not want to put them down. The Husband’s Secret is the first one of hers that I read, so it stands out to me the most. This is the kind of book that you can finish in one day while lying on the beach and when you finish you will have the feeling that it was a day well spent.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
The Hating Game is a book that you can devour on the beach/by the pool in one sitting. It is so fast-paced and adorable. It will have you completely sucked in to the love story. If you enjoy the hate to love trope as much as I do, than you NEED to read The Hating Game! I was actually sad to see this story end, and I instantly added the author’s next book (99 Percent Mine, which doesn’t come out until 2019!!) to my TBR!
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
Arthur Less is one of my all time favourite characters, and I think following his travels through Europe would make for the ideal summer read. Less is a book that does not take itself too seriously and is very self aware. There are also a lot of ‘laugh out loud’ moments. Not only is Less an entertaining story, it is also beautifully written.
Watersong Series by Amanda Hocking
This may seem random because I never talk about the Watersong Series and it has been years since I read it, but I utterly enjoyed it. I would always buy the next book as soon as it came out! It is a story about sirens, and one of the few about mermaids/sirens that I actually really enjoyed. The series is just plain fun and not to be taken too seriously.
I would love to hear what type of books you like to read in the summer, and any recommendations you might have for me!
I hope to check out Big Little Lies this summer, I have yet to read Liane Moriarty but I think she will be perfect for the summer!!
It is definitely the perfect summer read! Her books are so addicting!
Happy reading 😍😘 ❤ Beautiful books on your tbr
I really need to read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo… I have t got to that one yet! I’ve been hearing good things for ages! 💖💖
Ah it is so good!!!
I loved To all the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and I’m so excited for the movie. I really want to read Wild Beauty and Evelyn Hugo soon, because seriously, I’ve heard SO many good things about both of them!!
I am excited about the movie as well! I will be watching it as soon as it comes out! I highly recommend Wild Beauty and Evelyn Hugo. Two of the best books I read last year!
I will be too! 😄 Oh yes, I want to read them very soon!!
The Husbands Secret was really good, I love your choices.
Thank you! I did not see any of the twists coming!
Wow. Great list!!☺️ Puddin’ and I’ll Give You The Sun are on my summer TBR and I hope I read them soon.
Happy reading! Have a great summer!☺️☺️
Thank you! Those two books are fantastic and really perfect for summer! I hope you enjoy them and have an amazing summer of reading!
The movie version of ‘A River Runs Through It’ is my favourite as well. So atmospheric. Despite having read and enjoyed What Alice Forgot and Big Little Lies, I’m yet to read The Husbands Secret. I am also about to read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. 🙂 So many great choices. 🙂
I just finished reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I would probably pick that as a summer read. It’s sad but also, a very compelling read. And I also want to read The Mermaid & Mrs Hancock this summer.
A River Runs Through It is such an underrated movie! I am also excited when I find out other people love it as much as I do!
The Husband’s Secret is addicting! I am hoping to read What Alice Forgot this summer! AH you are going to love Evelyn Hugo!!!
I should have put Eleanor on my list! I love that book and it is great for summer. I want to read The Mermaid and Mrs. Handcock but it is not out in Canada yet I don’t think!
I hope you’ll enjoy What Alice Forgot. It is a great summer pick too. 😊👌 Happy summer reading. 📚☀️
Great post! We agree on a lot of must-read in summer novels so now I have a lot more to add to my TBR. Thank you!
Thank you! I am happy you found a few books to add to your TBR!
I want to read To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before! I just saw a trailer for the Netflix movie and it looks adorable. Great list… the ones I’ve read I definitely also recommend! So I bet I’ll like the other ones too <3
To All The Boys and the Watersong series are sooo good <3 lovely list!
Thank you!! ❤
So many awesome books! The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Crazy Rich Asians are on my immediate TBR! I can’t wait to read those!
They are both so amazing! Can’t wait to see what you think!
Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore is such an enchanting book. It totally draws you in and you can’t let go of this book! My mom had to snatch it right out of my hands because I wouldn’t eat! Haha…
Haha that is the perfect way to describe it! Completely enchanting!
😀
I adore the movie for A River Runs Through It, but I didn’t know it was original a book?! Now I must pick it up!
Isn’t the movie amazing?! I got the same feeling reading the book as I did watching the movie. I did skim over a lot of the fly fishing jargon though!
Great list! I just picked up Crazy Rich Asians and I can’t wait to start it! I’ll definitely be putting The Hating Game on my list now!
Thank you! I am so excited for you to read Crazy Rich Asians! It is so fun!
Hello Kristin!
Thanks for these recommendations! I am definitely going to pick up Evelyn Hugo this summer because of all the great things I’ve heard about it. You’ve also reminded me to read Crazy Rich Asians which sounds like a super fun book. I absolutely agree with To All the Boys being a good summer read. I loved this series so much 🙂 Great post!
I am so happy you are going to read Evelyn Hugo! I think you will love it as well as Crazy Rich Asians! I am so excited for the All the Boys movie!! Thank you!
I’ve forgotten that there is going to be a movie!!! Hope that it will come out soon 😀 Turns out that the movie was actually filming in my city (Vancouver). I didn’t have a clue haha :’)
I’ve been meaning to read the Names They Gave Us for some time! <3
I think you’ll really enjoy it. I was taken aback by how moved I was!
Great suggestions!
Agreed on Liane Moriarty! For me all her books feel very summery 😃. Maybe cuz they are set in Australia and in my head it’s always summer there.
Thank you! That is a great point!
Awesome list! To all the boys and hating game are perfect!
They really are! I need to reread To All the Boys before the movie!
Crazy Rich Asians, looks like a lot of fun and has been on my TBR for a while, great list 🙂
Thank you! It is so entertaining and I can not wait for the movie!
Thank you for this list, I have a lot of required reading to do over the summer and was desperate for something light-hearted to break it up, so these recommendations are perfect! I especially like the sound of The Names They Gave Us and The Husband’s Secret 🙂
I am so glad you found some books! I definitely need to read light and fun books in between heavy ones and those two books are perfect!
Great list! I have a few of these on my TBR that I hope to read soon.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy them!