10 Books on My Summer Reading List
Is there anything better than summer reading? I’m pretty sure there isn’t.
My library stack is enormous right now and my Kindle is bursting.
Last week, in an attempt to stop my endless cycle of rereading the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series, I burned through both P.S. I Like You and By Your Side in about 36 hours. It was good times.
I doubt I’ll get to all 10 of these books this summer because I’m always adding more and then jumping to those instead, but I’m going to make a valiant attempt and maybe stop looking at so many book lists that keep inflating my to-read list.
(Lies. I’ll never stop looking at book lists).
10 books on my summer reading list
Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham
I saw this one recommended on Modern Mrs Darcy’s summer reading list, and with alternate view points, a skeleton buried in the backyard, and a focus on the Tulsa race riot of 1921 which I know NOTHING about, I had it reserved before I’d even finished reading the rest of her recommendations.
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
This one got recommended multiple times on my last round of Tell Me What to Read and I’ve heard ridiculously good things about the audio version, so as soon as I finish up my current listens (Echo and Victoria), I’m diving into this one.
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Fantasy is low on my genres of choice, but I loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone so much that I’ll basically read whatever Laini Taylor writes now. And when the main character is a junior librarian? Well, I’d be an idiot to pass it up.
Jane Unlimited by Kristin Cashore
I’ve had Kristin Cashore on the mind since I included Fire on the Summer Reading Guide and then a few days later, an advance copy of her newest book (her first in about six years, I think!) showed up on my doorstep. Apparently it’s genre-bender (mystery, romance, thriller, etc) and I cannot wait. I’ll keep you posted if it’s any good.
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
I’m actually reading this one right now and it’s DARLING. It’s about two Indian teenagers who have been betrothed by their parents and meet at a summer coding camp in San Francisco before they begin college. Except the girl, Dimple, never actually got TOLD about said betrothment and, surprise! She’s not delighted by this revelation.
The Aisles Have Eyes: How Retailers Track Your Shopping, Strip Your Privacy, and Define Your Power by Joseph Turow
Here’s my nerdy side coming out to play. I love this kind of thing. Like most non-fiction, I’m planning to listen to this one.
Hello Sunshine by Laura Dave
I think Laura Dave writes perfect summer novels and this one, about a culinary star who has all her secrets revealed and loses her celebrity status, looks like a fun beach read. Even if my summer plans only involve one afternoon of beach time which will probably not be spent reading but wrangling small children instead.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
This has got to be one of the most frequently recommended books when I ask for suggestions and I cannot believe I still haven’t read it (I’ve had a copy for AGES). Plus, what’s summer without a good World War II novel?
The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett
I read a description of this book somewhere, about a couple that meets, falls in love and marries, and then the book explores three different possibilities for their lives. I mean, how could I not read it?
Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe
Maybe it’s dumb that I want to read this since I don’t actually even know who Rob Lowe is, but it has such great reviews and so many people have raved about it, that I can’t resist.
The Case Against Sugar by Gary Taubes
Probably this is going to put a damper on my summer cookie and popsicle making. So be it.
And if you’d like a printable copy of this list that you can take to your library or screenshot on your phone for easy access, just pop in your email address below and it’ll come right to your inbox!
What are you planning to read this summer? Clearly, what I need is more recommendations.
Oh! I totally want to check out The Aisles Have Eyes, and Stories I Only Tell My Friends!
You need to watch West Wing. It’s all the Rob Lowe you’ll need.
I’m reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid right now and it might be the book that makes me fall in love with her. I read one of her novels a few summers ago and did not love (or even like) it, but this one, man, this one. I want to quit my job and stay home to read it until I finish it (although that’s not the only reason I want to quit my job). I’ll also be continuing my love affair with Frances Brody and her 1920s lady detective Kate Shackleton.
I’m reading When Dimple Met Rishi right now and it is such a delight! I don’t usually read much YA, but it’s so fun and perfect for summer. I’m also in the middle of Where the Light Falls, a novel coming out in July about the French Revolution- it was a slow start for me but now I can’t put it down.
Salt to the Sea is AMAZING. I don’t know if you’ll care about Stories I Only Tell My Friends if you don’t care about Rob Lowe. For me, most of the fun of that book was reading backstories on him being in various movies and shows, but I didn’t think it was amazing writing. I’ll be interested to see what you think.
I’ve read Salt to the Sea and Dreamland Burning and both were excellent. I am – as always – torn between the lighter stuff (romances, thrillers) that is ultimately easier forgotten and the more literary reads that I fall in love with and remember forever but take more momentum to get into. I have a stack of YA and light reads to take on vacation next week and then maybe I’ll read a couple of the more serious titles on my list.
I read The Versions of Us last year and it was so so different to anything I’ve ever read before. I hope you enjoy it!
Steph – http://www.nourishmeblog.co.uk
I’m in the middle of Rapunzel Grounded by Megan Morrison. It is hilarious and sweet. I think you’d love it.
I LOVED When Dimple Met Rishi (which I’ve seen you enjoying too over on IG). So charming. Hello, Sunshine has been on my list, looking forward to that one. And I think I’ll have to read The Aisle Have Eyes…I want to know how they are manipulating me so I can try to avoid it… I like feeling like I’m too smart for that… I love summer reading!
Absolutely loved Salt to the Sea. Dreamland Burning was good (fascinating subject) but it left me wanting more depth.
Strange the Dreamer is on my summer reading list too. I’m hoping to get the audiobook version – that’s how I’ve experienced all of Laini Taylor’s books that I’ve read so far.
I loved Rob Lowe’s book and read his other one as well. He’s exactly my age, so I grew up watching him in the Brat Pack movies and all of his other great roles. He went on to become a big TV star as well. He’s gorgeous, funny, and talented (and a great writer) and you will love the book.
“Salt to the Sea” is a great book! Have you read “Between Shades of Gray” by the same author? Such a good book too and there is a link between the two books that you will need to look for!!
I listened to the audiobook of Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe, he actually is the one reading it. I have never been a huge Rob Lowe fan by any means, but the audiobook was really good. A ton of stories about his encounters with other famous people and historic events etc. I am actually planning on listening to it again this summer. Thanks for the recommendations. I am always looking for new authors etc. I love to listen on my drive to and from work and on my weekly running adventures.
I recently got a copy of Kasie West’s next book, Lucky in Love. I’m always down for a little Kasie West. I also put Always and Forever on hold. We are so lucky to get a new Kristin Cashore and a new Laini Taylor in the same year (since it feels like we’ve been waiting forever for their next books). Strange the Dreamer is really, really good. It’s also very long and a little slow. Be prepared for Laini’s typical, gorgeous, descriptive writing. She blows my mind. Also, Salt to the Sea is insanely good. One of my favorite reads of last year, but it’s also pretty heart-wrenching, as you’d expect.
I just finished listening to the audiobook of Stories I Only Tell My Friends. We just finished West Wing a few weeks ago and I just couldn’t let it go yet, so I searched out anything that would still help me feel connected to that world, and Rob Lowe was the answer. I thought the book was entertaining, but I really just wanted the West Wing chapters! Which he did give me, thankfully :). Wish he had written it after being on Parks & Rec! Would have been fun to hear him talk about that too.
I want to read so many of these myself! Hope you love them! 🙂
Lauren @ Always Me
The nerdy one seems truly interesting!
I also have Strange the Dreamer, I just need to find time to actually read it! And I can’t wait to read When Dimple Met Rishi and Salt to the Sea!
A) I’m still on the wait list for that Trevor Noah book
B) The retail data mining one!!! I’m never using a credit/debit card again. Cash only. With tinfoil hats.
xox