It’s the most wonderful time of the year: we’re about to kick off summer reading season.
Here’s a peek at the big summer books everyone will be talking about all summer long.
Does that mean they belong on your reading list? Well … maybe. Just because a book is a bestseller doesn’t mean it will be to your taste.
Readers, take note: I’ve only read a handful of these titles so far (and if I loved it, I tell you so), so while I’m hopeful they’ll be good, that’s all I am—hopeful. (The books listed below are NOT in the Summer Reading Guide, but I will share them in Quick Lit throughout the season as I finish them.)
Today we’re sharing buzzworthy summer books, but on Wednesday the Summer Reading Guide is landing on the blog. This year’s guide has 30 new titles—that’s 6 categories with 5 books each—and I’ve read every word of every one. I’ll tell you what you need to know so you can decide if a book is right for YOU. (This year we have a one-page guide, free for all, with a very cool “shopping list” feature that I think you’re gonna love! Newsletter and blog subscribers get it a day early—if you want to be on that list, sign up here.)
In the meantime, let’s take a look at this year’s hot summer reads. I can’t wait to hear what’s on YOUR reading list for the summer!
P.S. On tomorrow’s new episode of What Should I Read Next we’re talking all about the books we can’t wait to read this summer. Happy listening!
Some links (including all Amazon links) are affiliate links. More details here.
Every Last Lie
American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land
Always and Forever, Lara Jean
The Whole Way Home
The Sunshine Sisters
Glass Houses: A Novel (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel)
Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone
Fitness Junkie
The Best of Adam Sharp
Where the Light Falls: A Novel of the French Revolution
The Shark Club
The Good Widow
Men Without Women: Stories
Into the Water
Young Jane Young
Saints for All Occasions
The Address
What’s on YOUR summer reading list? Is there a new release you’re especially looking forward to? Tell us in comments.
50 comments
I have been meaning to try Louise Penny because of the rave reviews she gets on your podcast. Maybe I’ll finally get around to it this summer!
I just started this year and I’ve really enjoyed them – I just finished Book 3. Somehow, Louise Penny writes a comfort-food version of a mystery novel. (Plus, there are delicious descriptions of actual food throughout!).
I am all about some good food so that sounds great! That might be just the extra little push I needed to get started on them 😉
Really, Jennifer? I’ve been back and forth on whether to dive in, but your description made me decide to try her writing 🙂
I wasn’t sure these books were for me, either, but I decided to give it a try after Anne’s recommendations and the first book went on sale on Kindle.
I did that 2 summers ago…..read all of them! #2 & #3 were my least favorite…..her most recent was great…..read in order for greatest satisfaction:)
I put American Fire on hold at the library. I’m fascinated by the psychology behind arson and there aren’t too many books that talk about it.
Sue Grafton’s Y is for Yesterday. Comes out late August. I can’t believe she’s stuck with this series through 25 letters!
I’m looking forward to this one too.
I’m pretty excited about that one too!
Please check out MOSHI, MOSHI by Banana Yoshimoto. Checked out at the library. Ordered my own copy.
I’ll get to the Louise Penny one but I’m only on #3 in the series! I will also eventually get to the Murakami 🙂
Helene
No Quick Lit linkup this month?? Well, I will link to this post in my monthly book reviews anyway!
Whoa. Sharon Creech is writing for adults? That’s so cool!
I’m reading “Awkward: The Science of Why We’re Socially Awkward and Why that’s Awesome.” By Ty Tashiro, PhD. Nice for introverts and those that are just socially uncomfortable sometimes.
I am excitedly waiting to read the last Jenny Han book. I have it at home, but I have some book club books and library books that I have to get through before that one. I’m also kind of wanting to reread the first two. My husband went through a Murakami phase this year and he’s read all of his books. This one is waiting for me at the library to pick up today for him :).
I just finished reread the first two “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” books in anticipation of reading #3 (which is sitting in my stack!
I’m really looking forward to “We Are Never Meeting in Real Life: Essays” by Samantha Irby. I really need to pick up some Murukami… any of them, really. Many of his books sound like they are squarely in my wheelhouse and I have somehow not gotten there yet.
I’m also really looking forward to seeing your summer reading guide :-).
Wow, I’m really looking forward to new books by authors I’ve already enjoyed: “Fitness Junkie,” “Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone,” and “The Best of Adam Sharp.” Thank you for compiling this list!
Thanks, Anne! I always appreciate the time and effort you put into your posts, reviews, podcasts, and lists! You do the legwork and I get to save time and enjoy the benefits.
With much gratitude,
A reader in GA
I can’t wait to destroy my summer TBR! Great blog post!
I am sooooo excited about Fitness Junkie. I absolutely LOVED The Knockoff. I read it twice!
The Shark Club sounds like my kinda read.
Also looking forward to The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand and Hello, Sunshine by Laura Dave!
I have both of those (The Identicals and Hello, Sunshine) on my anticipated summer TBR too!
I just added 7 more books to my wish list. The new Louise Penny book was already on there, and I’m really looking forward to that. 🙂
Having recently jumped into Mistress of the Revolution, I’m on a French Revolution bender. I was going to try my eyes at Alexander Dumas’ intimidating multivolume series but I might lean in to Where the Light Falls first. Thanks for the list!
Well this just made my TBR blow-up…I read a lot of beachy/chick-lit type books in the summer just because…it’s summer! And we’re at the lake and by the pool and just feels appropriate!
I can’t wait for The Salt House by Lisa Duffy! It’s set in Maine & about a family working their way back from a devasting loss. Looks great!
Louise Penny #12 is waiting for me at the library, and I’m so glad to hear #13 isn’t too far behind.
#12 was great!
Definitely will read “Into the Water”, “The Good Widow”, “The Address”, all sound awesome to me – love a good thriller! Never read Louise Penny but just downloaded her first in the series “Still Life” after hearing about her books on your podcasts for some time. I also have “Since We Fell” and “Woman No. 17” on my summer reading list along with a few classics I’ve never read before! May the reading begin!!
I loved The Storied Life of AJ Fikry and am so looking forward to Young Jane Young! It’s sitting on my Kindle as we speak and I’m pretty sure I won’t be waiting until late August to read it!
I read The Forever Summer and The Sunshine Girls and really liked them both! I am reading Into The Water know and it’s so so good! My recommendation for EVERYONE is The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid that comes on in June. It’s SO good!
I read Adam Sharp this weekend after listening to the very charming and delightful Graeme Simsion speak at Book People in Austin. Sadly, this book is no Rosie Project. In his talk, he warned readers that there is quite a lot of adult content in this one. And he wasn’t kidding. Too bad I had him sign a copy for my little sister…yikes!
I’m also adding “Will’s Red Coat” by Tom Ryan. I loved his last book “Following Atticus” and find his writing so rich, reflective and relatable.
I recently got the ARC for Young Jane Young and I’m trying to hold off reading it until closer to it’s release date, but I doubt I’ll wait that long. AJ Fikry was one of my all time favorites ?
For Austen lovers, “The Darcy Monologues ” are not to be missed! Release day is May 21st and the early reviews are fabulous.
Young Jane Young sounds like the perfect summer read!
I’ve added FOUR of these to our book club list (which is an email I compile and send around) and then if enough people want to read, we do as a book club read, otherwise I just read by myself 🙂
So many books!
Reading A court of thorns and roses series and it’s kept me busy reading.
https://whimsyandcosy.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/a-court-of-thorns-and-roses/
I love The Sea Sprite Inn by Lynnette Adair.
A fantastic beach read. This innkeeper will hold your attention with her intriguing guests and empowering personality! Love reading and feeling like you are living in the story! I recommend this
great highly!
This one is perfect for summer! DON’T PEE IN THE WETSUIT: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0692703950/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494950673&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=dont+pee+in+the+wetsuit+book&dpPl=1&dpID=518ZChGdomL&ref=plSrch
Return of the Witch by Suza Kates! The most awaited new addition to the Savannah Coven series.
Want a great book that will transport you into a world of intrigue, romance and adventure? This is one that will be the talk of the town very soon.
Under the Veil by West Michell. This is her first novel and it is a good one. Check it out. Available on kindle and directly from her website.
http://Www.westmichell.com
I just read Robin Sloan’s new book Sourdough (9/5 release). I loved Mr Penumbra and was thrilled Sourdough has that same quirky sensibility, loveably flawed characters, and simply a darn good story.
Young Jane Young by another writer I might pass but Gabrielle Zevin stole my heart with AJ Fikry so I’ll read anything she writes, ever. So many great books coming out, my TBR list is overflowing!
Coming out just in time for summer, do not miss Lisa Wingate’s new novel:
Before We Were Yours
It will be released June 6th, and a must read.
Lisa Wingate is renowned for her storytelling. You will not be disappointed. Be ready to ha e all your emotions stripped bare and put back. Heartwrenching and heartwarming tale that will teach some not so pleasant bits of American history, while sucking you into the lives of the characters.
How did I miss this in May? I even saw one of these books at the library today!