Long days by the lake or on the beach, evenings on the fire escape after work while the sun sets, sitting outside on my lunch break – summer reading hits different. Below, the 15 books on my list this year. And in case that’s not enough – my lists from 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (when reading was basically all I did those months..). What a fun tradition this post has become!
- Funny Story by Emily Henry: I kicked off last year’s list with a rom-com from the queen of them too – so this felt fitting. I read this one in on big gulp on the plane ride home from Italy and loved it, I think it ranks #3 for me of her books, behind Book People and Beach Read.
- The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher: A backlist title circa the 1980s! A family drama I’d heard great things about, my book club is tackling it this month. I haven’t been able to put it down all weekend and after posting about it on Instagram, my Mom told me that my Nan and great Aunt loved it back in the 90s! I miss them both dearly which makes it such a fun connection now. Isn’t it amazing how books can do that?
- Table for Two by Amor Towles: If you’ve been here awhile you know I’m a fan of Amor Towles particular brand of character-driven historical fiction. Rules of Civility is one of my all-time favorite books and so I couldn’t help but grab this collection of essays – part of which follows one of the characters from Civility.
- Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo: I loved Lombardo’s first novel ‘The Most Fun We’ve Ever Had’ and can’t wait for her latest to release in mid-June. Might even need to preorder this one!
- The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo: A little bit historical fiction, a little bit magical realism, a little bit romance – I’ve heard good things about this one.
- I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself by Glynnis MacNicol: With a subtitle of ‘One Woman’s Pursuit of Pleasure in Paris’ how could I resist? Debuts mid-June.
- The Wedding People by Alison Espach: Her novel ‘Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance’ was one of my favorite books of the past few years and one I still think of often (the true mark of a 5 star read for me) – so I’m really looking forward to this one when it releases at the end of July. Espach threads the needle of heartbreak so well in my opinion while keeping a firm grasp on levity and realism. I’m hoping this book pulls off the same balancing act!
- Real Americans by Rachel Khong: Another highly anticipated book from an author that I’ve previously read and loved – this one is already getting a lot of great reviews. With duel timelines between late 90s New York City and present day, I’ve already got a signed copy and might dive into this one next!
- Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld: Published a few years ago, I’ve got a secondhand copy I found of this on my shelf waiting. Set in a fictional SNL with a ‘celebrity falls for normal person’ trope – I’m interested to see what Sittenfeld does with the romcom genre after reading and loving ‘Rodham’ by her last year.
- Old Flame by Molly Prentiss: Claire sent me this one for my birthday and I didn’t think I’d ever heard of it – a fun bookish surprise!
- Within Arm’s Reach by Ann Napolitano: Originally published 20 years ago this was recently re-released with a new cover. I loved ‘Hello Beautiful’ last year so I’m interested to read this backlist title by her!
- Anita De Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez: I grabbed this one in my Book of the Month mailer in May, a buzzy new release that follows two timelines set the in the art/literary world.
- June Loves Legs by Karl Geary: Admittedly – the last 4 books on my list this summer were all on my list either last year or the year before I didn’t get around to them. Time to finally tackle them! This one is billed as a heart-wrenching coming of age story of friendship, set in 1990s Ireland.
- Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper: One of only 2 non-fiction books to make the list, I love Gilded Age history so I’m excited to make time for this one.
- The Librarianist by Patrick DeWitt: I loved reading ‘French Exit’ by this author a few summers ago – so I’m looking forward to finally picking this one up. The story follows an aging librarian in Portland, Oregon as he begins to volunteer at a local retirement home – but given DeWitt’s style I’m expecting dark humor and unnerving charm.
What a fantastic list. I read Funny Story in one sitting when it came out, and I *might* like it as much as Book Lovers. Romantic Comedy, is wonderful, I’m sure you’ll breeze through it. I’ve read most of Rosamunde Pilcher’s books, ans Shell Seekers is one of the best – her books are so firmly set in season, would recommend September next, and Winter Solstice for December!
I have added three of your summer books to my every growing reading list.
So happy to hear you found a few more for your list! I’m excited for Romantic Comedy as an offset to some of the denser ones on this list. I just finished Shell Seekers and LOVED it – such a joy to find a backlist author with lots more books I can dive into. And I love to read seasonally so I’m adding both of those to my fall and winter lists for sure – thank you!
On the same note as the previous comment, Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher is a top 10 book of mine. Beautifully written historical fiction
Ohh I’ll add it to my list! I just finished The Shell Seekers and just wanted to hug it!