If you’re anything like me, you think summer is made for reading. But nothing is more frustrating than taking a much talked-about book on vacation only to realize it’s underwhelming (or just plain awful) and you’re stuck with nothing.
Anybody can browse a bestseller list, but just because a book is a bestseller doesn’t mean it’s the right book for you.
Enter the summer reading guide.
You all know I love to read, and read a lot. You know where I’m coming from. If you like this blog—and the books I typically recommend here—you’ll find something perfect for you in this guide.
I strove to make this year’s guide compact and easy-to-use. It’s web-based (no PDF to download) and mobile-friendly. It features 7 genres (so you can navigate right to the one that interests you most) with 5 books in each: because a list of 5 great books is much more useful than a list of thousands!
Every book in there has earned its spot, and I’ve personally read it—often more than once. I can vouch for them, and answer any questions you have.
Praise for previous editions
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(After signing up, you’ll get a confirmation email. Click “subscribe me to this list.” You’ll then be redirected to the guide. If you’re not redirected, don’t worry: a link will be coming by email right after that.)
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Happy summer, and happy reading!
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69 comments
Love the new format! Read through several categories before child duties called. Looking forward to checking all these out. 🙂
Just heard about The Time In-between from a friend. Also have heard great things about The Language of Flowers. Can’t wait to read both!
I can’t wait to download it! Last year’s edition was an invaluable source of reading enjoyment for me! Thanks for doing this 🙂
I’m so glad! And it’s my pleasure, truly. 🙂
Browsed through it a few minutes ago, and LOVED IT. Also, I somehow managed to add only 6 titles to my goodreads list. I’m going to call that a successful morning. But I have a feeling I’ll be coming back to it later in the summer when I need something else to read. 🙂
Jealous! I would love for my to-read list to be long enough but not overwhelmingly so. Right now I’m firmly in the “overwhelmed” camp!
It helped that I had either already read or planned to read several of the titles on this list. 🙂 And my to-read list is completely out of control, too. That’s why I was so excited to only add 6 more titles to it. 🙂
The Secret Keeper is well deserved to be on your list….AWESOME book. One of my favs from last year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, Defending Jacob is a good one (not on your list).
I’ve never read Defending Jacob. Thanks for the rec!
Maybe I should reread The Secret Keeper. It just didn’t do anything for me but I feel bad because it gets such rave reviews.
I have read a few of the books on your list and do agree with your recommendation. I did put a couple books on my request list at the library, including one of the non-fiction reads (I hardly ever read non-fiction and when I do, it’s usually something you’ve recommended)! I do miss the kid section from last year though. Maybe you could have a post soon that includes 2 or 3 of each age child’s recent favorites?
That sounds like a great subject for early summer!
Great list, thanks! I’m all set for the summer now!
Would you be willing to suggest five YA reads as well? Looking forward to binge reading this summer- thank you!
That sounds like a good future blog post. 🙂
Off the top of my head I almost included Code Name Verity in the guide, and The Maze Runner was under consideration as well. I personally loved Wonder, The Mysterious Benedict Society, and Wildwood (though those last two are more middle-grade than YA).
Great- thanks! I enjoyed The Maze Runner but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to the second book or not… have you read that one? I also loved Wonder. I wanted to give that boy a hug! The other three are now on my list- thank you SO much!
I love The Underneath by Kathi Applet. It is said to be a kids’ book, but is actually somewhat nuanced and probably better suited for young adult and adult readers. I highly recommend it! It’s one of my all-time favorites.
I’ve only read the first Maze Runner book. And I know what you mean about Wonder!
I’m totally not Anne, but I have been binge-reading YA lately. Have you read the Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer? It makes me all fangirl and they are SO GOOD. Also love anything by Jenny B. Jones (Christian YA fiction, and she’s hilarious), and the River of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren.
I haven’t read the Lunar Chronicles yet but I know I need to!
Thank you for this. I can’t wait to read some of these. Which novel would you recommend as completely clean? I want to get a book for a friend in the hospital, and I don’t know her to well so I want to make sure I err on the clean side 🙂
Thanks!
I think The Invention of Wings would be a good bet. 🙂
Yay! Great… Thanks! Here’s hoping I’ll have time to read half as much as what you seem to be able to accomplish!
Yay! Thank you so much for doing this. I’ve already found my next book. 🙂 Your guide is fabulous!
LOVE this list. Read it while sitting poolside in Maui, noting which ones to load on the kindle tonight. Wasn’t “What Alice Forgot” amazing. I’ve raved about it for a year now, loved it so much. I just finished “The Husband’s Secret” by the same author and really enjoyed it. I love how she wraps up her stories without saccharine happily ever afters but without you being miserable where the characters do end up.
And a Southern section?!!! Squee!!! I caught myself describing someone in the elevator as Southern American because of his accent. My mom is southern and I adore the culture so much. Those are all on my list to read or reread.
Poolside in Maui? JEALOUS. 🙂
I absolutely love it!! Foodie memoirs! Southern fiction! I want to read them all. 🙂
My husband and I are going away for four days in June BY OURSELVES to celebrate our 10th anniversary. I plan on talking to him, eating, and reading. The End.
That sounds *amazing.*
Anne…there’s no link in my email!! Just the phrase “enter the summer reading guide” but no llink. Sad….. Can you help? Thanks!
Help me, too, please! Thanks!
Same here, I’ve been looking and cannot seem to find it.
It sounds great and I am in much anticipation…..
I hope you’ve figured it out, but I just emailed you to make sure.
Thanks for putting this list together again! I just spent the last hour requesting books from the library, and my list is up to 20! Maybe by the end of the summer I’ll have had the chance to get these all in my hands. 🙂
I do love your recommendations, you’ve not steered me wrong!
I’m having trouble subscribing to the list 🙁 It’s just telling me the page has timed out. Any suggestions?
So sorry it’s giving you trouble! Check your email—I hope that takes care of it! 🙂
I am so excited to find your blog and most especially your summer reading list!
Thank you for sharing your love of books!
I immediately requested several from my library, and so far have read The Language of Flowers (which was pretty good) and just finished The Secret Keeper, an extraordinary story that I loved. I would never have picked up either of these books based on the titles and covers, so thank you so much for your recommendations. I will be reading more of them!
I just joined the mailing list but can’t get the reading guide. Is it still available somewhere?
Yes! I’ll email it to you.
Help!
I accidentally deleted your list, and now I can’t resubmit !!
I must have your reading list !!!!
Thanks
Amy
Check your email!
I was already subscribed, but not getting any email lately for some reason (and it wasn’t in spam either). I’ve re-subscribed or updated my profile, technically, I guess, but I’m not getting the Summer Reading Guide. Could you send that to me?
Thanks!
Stacy
So sorry for the trouble. Check your email—and let me know if it doesn’t work and we’ll figure something out.
I never got the confirmation email. I broke my arm this summer and my reading list is now oh so short. A painful blessing.
Oh no! I’m emailing you with it RIGHT NOW.
I’m so glad you recommended the Susan Howatch Starbridge series. I read them one after the other about ten years ago, though I still haven’t read the final book, Absolute Truths. Such a great, character-driven saga that makes you think about your own faith while also teaching a lot of Anglican church history and politics.
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