Now that summer is finally here, most of our kids have probably been sent home from school with a summer reading list. And though they may disagree that they're lucky to have been handed a list of books to pore over, picked out just for them, we adults know that nothing would be better than a long list of recommendations of books that are aimed at exactly where we are in life and that we might enjoy. But if you're also missing summer reading lists, don't worry: That's what we're here for!
Because let's face it — reading the same picture books over and over to our kids doesn't exactly scratch that bookworm itch we get at this time of the year. But fortunately, a ton of books have recently come out that are perfect to grab during your next trip to the library or the bookstore.
Whether you're looking for a mystery, a love story, or something in between, these are the books that you should definitely read this summer. Whether you plan to read on vacation, at the beach, or even on the couch while your kiddos nap, there are few things better than escaping into a good book in the summer.
'People We Meet on Vacation' by Emily Henry
In People We Meet on Vacation, best friends Alex and Poppy's vacation tradition ends when something happens that ruins their longstanding friendship. But when Poppy convinces Alex to join her for one last vacation in an effort to finally fix things between them, will they fall in love and end up living happily ever after or will they finally be out of each other's lives for good?
'Such a Fun Age' by Kiley Reid
In Such a Fun Age, a woman named Alix Chamberlain is confronted with a situation she never thought she'd be part of when her Black babysitter is accused of kidnapping Alix's white daughter. Alix wants to help Emira, but Emira's not sure she wants to accept her help — and who can blame her?
'Malibu Rising' by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Malibu Rising starts with a family throwing one of their legendary end-of-summer blowouts in the year 1983, but this time around, things don't go smoothly and by morning, the house is on fire … and so many of the family's best kept secrets are bound to get out.
'Ghosts' by Dolly Alderton
Ever been ghosted by someone you really thought you hit it off with? Then Ghosts by Dolly Alderton might just be the summer read for you. The book tells the story of a woman named Nina who meets a guy on a dating app who ghosts her — just as the rest of her life happens to be going downhill at the same time. Been there!
'One Last Stop' by Casey McQuiston
From the author of Red, White, and Royal Blue comes One Last Stop, a fun love story that involves just a little bit of time travel. After a 23-year-old August meets a girl on the subway who is from 1970 and seems to be trapped in present day, August has to try to save her — just as they're falling in love.
'The Turnout' by Megan Abbott
Sisters Dara and Marie Durant have been dancers their entire lives, and they even take over their mother's dance studio after their parents die in a tragic accident. But right before the school's biggest performance of the year, something happens that makes them question everything.
'Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood' by Cheryl Diamond
In this nonfiction memoir, Cheryl Diamond writes about what it was like growing up all over the world with several different identities, until, as a teenager, she figured out that she was born into a family of con artists and the only way for her to survive would be to escape the dangerous group.
'A Slow Fire Burning' by Paula Hawkins
If you loved The Girl On The Train, you'll probably love author Paula Hawkins' latest novel, A Slow Fire Burning. This time around, she's telling the story of three women who have connections to a man who was recently murdered in London — and all three of them would have had a reason to do it.
'Girls With Bright Futures' by Tracy Dobmeier & Wendy Katzman
Obsessed with Lori Loughlin's college admissions scandal? Then you should check out Girls With Bright Futures. This book is a thriller about three moms who are willing to do anything to get their daughters into Stanford — even if it means almost killing one of the girls along the way.
'A Star Is Bored' by Byron Lane
Written by the late Carrie Fisher's former assistant, Byron Lane writes from his own experience in A Star is Bored, the story of a man who becomes an assistant to an eccentric Hollywood actress. Soon, they actually become friends, but eventually, he has to make a choice — will he continue his career or step out on his own?
The 'Bridgerton' Series by Julia Quinn
If you're anything like most of us, you probably fell in love with the world of the Bridgertons when the series based in regency England premiered on Netflix at the end of 2020. It's not a bad time to dive into this romance series, either — especially as we wait for season two.
'Happy & You Know It' by Laura Hankin
As most of us know, the drama that exists in mom groups can be real sometimes — so how about a mom group that consists of wealthy women who hire a musician to play for their just-as-wealthy babies? There's secrets, friendships, and the story has been likened to Sex and the City — what's not to love?
'Cobble Hill' by Cecily von Ziegesar
The author of the Gossip Girl series now brings us a book we can enjoy well into adulthood. Cobble Hill follows four families living in the same neighborhood in Brooklyn, and there's just as much going on behind the scenes as there was with our favorite teens from the Upper East Side.
'Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir' by Ashley C. Ford
In Somebody's Daughter, Ashley C. Ford writes about what it was like to grow up as a Black girl in Indiana with a father who is incarcerated. Through complicated family relationships, secrets about why her father is in prison, and coming of age without having her dad there to support her, Ford doesn't hold back.
'The Summer I Turned Pretty' by Jenny Han
There's no age limit on good YA novels, and this one definitely falls into this category. In The Summer I Turned Pretty, the author of To All The Boys I've Loved Before tells the story of the summer when everything changes between a girl and the boys she's been friends with her entire life.
'While We Were Dating' by Jasmine Guillory
Sparks fly when a man who works in advertising ends up working on a campaign with a movie star who's trying to make a name for herself in Hollywood. Like any good love story, there are plenty of obstacles that could keep them from living happily ever after, but will they beat the odds?
'The Other Black Girl' by Zakiya Dalila Harris
The Other Black Girl tells the story of what happens when editorial assistant Nella Rogers is no longer the only Black woman working at a publishing house. But soon, the newest employee becomes the office favorite, and things get weird around the office for Nella fast.
'The Paper Palace' by Miranda Cowley Heller
Even though Elle, a mother of three, thinks her life is perfect, she's forced to question everything when she sneaks out and has sex with a longtime friend, cheating on her husband. Will she choose the road she almost traveled but didn't, or stick with the life she's built?
'I Left My Homework in the Hamptons' by Blythe Grossberg
In this memoir, tutor Blythe Grossberg writes about what it was like to teach the students of America's wealthiest families. She tells stories about her experience working with the most elite families in New York City, exposing the privilege and inequality that exists.
'The Guncle' by Stephen Rowley
After tragedy hits the family of a former gay sitcom star, he's given the task of becoming the guardian of his niece and nephew, even though he's never had kids of his own. The Guncle is a story of love and family — even when that family comes together a bit unexpectedly.
