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There’s something magical about summer reading—the way a good book can whisk you away to another place, all while you’re lounging in the sun or curled up during 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, and always well-read book lovers—to find out which stories you return to again and again. And as always, you delivered.
From breezy beach reads to moving memoirs, edge-of-your-seat thrillers to novels that simply feel like summer, 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 beautiful story. So whether you’re packing a carry-on or planning a staycation, these 27 favorites will keep you company all season long.
Summer Reading in Your Own Words
Historical Fiction
The Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher
Perfect long summer novel! —Helen G.
The Drifters by James Michener
Loved the soul-searching of these young people while they traveled exotic lands. —Elle V.
The Winemakers by Jan Moran
Female entrepreneurship, wine, adventure, romance, and a little mystery—everything you could want in one book! —Melissa L.
Go as a River by Shelley Read
There’s something about a book that captures you early on—you know you won’t get bored reading it outside, iced coffee in hand, while your toddler naps. This one did that for me. I loved that it wasn’t hard-set on a specific genre, followed a young woman’s perspective (which I’ll always support), and honestly, I couldn’t resist the peach on the cover—it just screamed summer. —Lisbeth C.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah never misses, and The Women is no exception. As a nurse and a 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 heart-wrenching and empowering, reminding us that heroism isn’t confined to the battlefield—it lives in the courage and compassion of women, too. A must-read this summer.—Mary Ann R.
The Beach at Summerly by Beatriz Williams
Could not put it down. Great characters, and an interesting period in history that isn’t often written about in fiction. Perfect beach read for someone who likes a little bit of history with their romance and scandal. —Emily L.
Contemporary Fiction
Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan
Maine is a multi-generational family drama full of secrets, sibling rivalry, and Catholic guilt, set at 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.
Colony by Anne Rivers Siddon
A retro book, yes, a classic family saga set on the coast of Maine. My friends and I come back to this every summer! —Carolyn H.
Women in Sunlight by Frances Mayes
I first read this book in late summer 2018, and while the ‘buying a retirement villa in Tuscany’ aspect is there, the real draw is its dreamy, sometimes over-the-top inspiration, regardless of life stage. It showed me how to elevate hosting through what I call ‘life vignettes,’ with beautifully detailed descriptions of food, scenery, and simple gatherings. I reread it every summer as a mid-year reset. —Trisha D.
This Summer Will be Different by Carley Fortune
The perfect combo of romance, female friendship, flowers, and individual development. —Tess P.
The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
It offers everything from romance, mystery, drama, and unexpected twists! SO GOOD!! —Ann S.
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
It gives such a fun glimpse of a dreamy summer in Nantucket with a twist! —Charlotte M.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
An easy read set during the summer season, this sweet and wholesome story carries subtle messaging for women of all ages. Ann Patchett masterfully weaves timelines and characters to keep you engaged, while the content stays light—like flickering light on the water’s surface. —Dréa P.
Starling Darling by Erica Vipond
I’m a local Austin author, and while the story explores a complicated mother-daughter relationship, it’s also a whodunnit mystery with a travel-filled journey across Europe—capturing the romanticism of Rome and Amsterdam in the spring. —Erica V.
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
The Paper Palace pulled me in from the first page with its hazy, 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, wistful, and richly written, it’s the perfect summer afternoon read. —Melissa S.
A Good Life by Virginie Grimaldi
It’s about family, love, the past, and relationships—and I love the French way of life it captures, with families gathering in summer destinations like Biarritz. The author, a French best-seller I’ve been reading for over 10 years, has a way of making you feel the story and smile with every book. —Miriam C.
Romance
Heart Bones by Colleen Hover
I’m serious—so underrated. This book has the biggest plot twist of all time. —Deborah C.
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
I keep coming back to this book because it’s a beautiful reminder of what really matters. It’s the perfect read for anyone feeling burned out—funny, charming, and full of heart in Sophie Kinsella’s signature style. —Sharon C.
The Reef by Nora Roberts
I re-read it every summer. Beaches, diving, a curse, adventure, and romance. —Candace B.
Mystery
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman
Funny, romantic, feminist, and so, so engaging. I could spend my entire vacation just reading about the adventures of this brave, smart woman, traipsing around London helping women in need while continuously bumping into a quick-witted mystery man. —Diana E.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Safon
What better summer read than one that transports you to another place and time? Hello, Barcelona! Filled with captivating characters, mystery, intrigue, and a library labyrinth, Shadow of the Wind is a total page-turner. An immersive escape, especially if you aren’t going to make it to Spain this summer! —Leila W.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
It’s a deeply emotional story set at a summer home on an island, immersing you so fully in the season that you’ll feel like you’re right there on the beach with the characters. —Megan N.
Humor/Satire
Hey 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 your age. It’s a light, fun, laugh-out-loud read told entirely through emails, texts, DMs, and more—relatable and super creative. —Liz B.
Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy by Kevin Kwan
The imagery is stunning—it’s easy to lose yourself in this beautiful, luxurious world most of us can only imagine. The characters are richly developed, with far more depth than in the movie adaptation. I love this trilogy so much, I’ve already read it twice and plan to dive back in again this summer. —Natalie K.
Miscellaneous
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
Although it’s a new book and not a classic, it hits that perfect balance of literary and breezy. And it affirms that there’s no age at which life is “over.” There are always new adventures to be had if you’re open to them! —Megan J.
The Wanderer by Sharon Creech
This may be a middle-reader book, but don’t let that dissuade you from reading the beautiful, lyrical story of thirteen-year-old Sophie sailing across the ocean to England to meet her grandpa—and discovering herself along the way. It’s got a little adventure, a little mystery, and plenty of gorgeous, evocative descriptions of the ocean and the small, dreamy islands Sophie visits. If you can’t make it to the beach this summer, reading this book is the next best thing! —Kathryn L.
Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
This book was written in 1955 and is still relevant for women today. I re-read it every summer. —Brenda L.
