A good summer book should allow you to lose yourself.
The kind of book you toss into your beach bag next to sunscreen and a half-melted granola bar. The one you read stretched out on a towel in the sun until you realize hours have passed. The one you bring down to the dock with your morning coffee and suddenly find yourself reading three chapters instead of answering emails.
I love the slower pace that reading creates in the summer. There’s no constant scrolling, no multitasking, no pressure to be productive every second of the day. Just sitting still long enough to get completely pulled into a story for a while. It feels restful in a way very few things do anymore.
I’ve pulled together a list of books that feel especially perfect for that kind of summer reading. Thoughtful, easy to get lost in, the kind of stories that stay with you long after the last page.
If you decide to pick up any of them, I’d really encourage you to check your local library first or stop by a local bookstore if you can. There’s something special about wandering through shelves in the summer and leaving with a new favorite tucked under your arm. Or if you want to shop online but support local, click any of the links and they will take you to a local bookstore where you can purchase the book online!
Wilderness Tips by Margaret Atwood
This was my introduction to Margaret Atwood back in college, and I could not put it down. It’s a collection of short stories, which makes it an especially easy summer read because you can pick it up for a chapter or two at a time. Atwood has such a sharp, observant way of writing that completely pulls you in.
Sea Glass by Anita Shreve
Sea Glass is one of those books that completely transports you somewhere else. I grabbed this while on my honeymoon and ended up flying through it because it was that good. The coastal setting and emotional tension throughout the story make it feel especially perfect for reading near the water.
The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan
The Cliffs completely pulled me in. Coastal Maine, layered history, old homes, complicated women, it has all the ingredients of a great summer book. The atmosphere alone makes you want to pack a bag and head somewhere near the ocean.
Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall
This one feels a little like a hidden gem. Quietly emotional, beautifully written, and the kind of book that stays in the back of your mind long after you finish it. A perfect “sit outside for hours and accidentally read half the book in one sitting” kind of read.
Elsewhere by Alexis Schaitkin
Elsewhere is a shorter read, but incredibly thought provoking. It explores identity and belonging in a way that feels both strange and familiar at the same time. I finished this one wanting to immediately talk to someone else about it.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Tom Lake might honestly be the perfect summer read. Reflective, nostalgic, beautifully written, and incredibly human. It feels like the kind of book you read slowly because you don’t want it to end.
If you end up reading any of these this summer, I’d love to hear what you think. I’m always looking for another recommendation to add to the stack beside my bed.
