24 Summer Reads For Every Setting That Won’t Disappoint
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Looking for your next summer reads? No matter your plans, this list has you covered for wherever you may find yourself this sunny season.
Let’s be real — the best kind of summer reads are the ones that fit the moment. Whether you’re sitting by the lake, stretched out on a beach towel, or just pretending you’re on vacation from your own backyard, a good book can totally elevate the vibe.
That’s why I put together this list of books with all the summery vibes. Think: beachy escapes, breezy lakeside mornings, journeys back and forward in time, and so much more. These are the kinds of books that match the mood — and don’t disappoint.
So wherever you’re headed this summer (even if it’s just to your balcony), there’s a book on this list with your name on it.
This post is all about summer reads.
Taylor Jenkins Reed: Queen Of Summer Fiction
If you haven’t yet fallen down the TJR rabbit hole, summer is the time. Her universe is filled with well-crafted, relatable characters and juicy plots spanning decades in the most iconic American landscapes. Need I say more?
TAYLOR JENKINS REED
Daisy Jones & The Six
The ultimate 70’s rock band saga—This book makes my top favorites list and I’ll let you read to find out why.
Taylor Jenkins Reed
Malibu Rising
Four famous siblings, one unforgettable party, and a coastal setting that’s a pure California dream.
Taylor Jenkins Reed
Carrie Soto Is Back
Tennis, legacy, and a fierce protagonist. Get ready to spend your summer on the court and in the tabloids.
Taylor Jenkins Reed
Atmosphere
Soon to be released and no doubt this one will bring TJR’s signature depth and drama. Add this to your summer reads list if you’re craving something fresh.
Memoirs Made For Summer
There’s something about memoirs in the summer. Maybe it’s the way they invite you into someone else’s life while you’re relaxing and reflecting on your own. These picks are full of humor, heartache, grit, and growth—perfect for solo trips or mornings on the porch.
Stanley Tucci
Taste: My Life Through Food
A delightful and delicious memoir about food, family, and film. Tucci’s voice jumps off the page.
Adrienne Brodeur
Wild Game
This one is so juicy. A memoir of a mother’s affair and the daughter caught in the middle. It reads like a mini series and you’ll fly through it.
Ann Hood
Fly Girl
Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a flight attendant in the golden age of air travel? Hood spills it all with charm and honesty.
Lisa Marie Presley + Riley Keough
From Here to the Great Unknown
Riley Keough chronicles and completes her mother’s memoir, highlighting legacy, love, and grief through the lens of fame.
For When You Are At The Beach…
If your summer setting involves salty air and sand between your toes, this category is your best friend. These reads are fast, fun, and have just enough twists to keep you flipping pages well past sunset.
Elin Hilderbrand
Hotel Nantucket
This one is the definition of a beach read. Set at a posh beach hotel with characters you’ll instantly root for.
Adrienne Brodeur
Little Monsters
Twisty, mysterious, and set on the Cape. A little darker than your typical beach read — in a good way.
Catherine Newman
Sandwich
Quirky, warm, and unexpectedly emotional. It captures the chaos and love of middle age with humor and heart.
J. Courntney Sullivan
The Cliffs
A beautifully written story about new beginnings and old wounds, all set along a dramatic coastal backdrop.
For When You Are By The Lake…
Ahh, lake reading. If you’re headed north or just dreaming of cool water and a dock chair, these summer reads are perfect for slower days, deeper characters, and stories that unfold gently but stay with you.
Miranda Cowley
The Paper Palace
Family secrets, love, and decisions that ripple through time. This one is haunting in the best way.
Ann Patchett
Tom Lake
Daughters learn their mother’s past over a quiet summer on a Michigan cherry farm. Bittersweet and lovely.
Carly Fortune
One Golden Summer
Heartwarming and nostalgic, this book feels like a sun-drenched memory you didn’t know you missed.
Daniel Mason
North Woods
Set in a remote cabin in the woods, this one’s moody and transportive — perfect for misty lake mornings.
For When You Need An Escape…
If your ideal summer read takes you far away, not just in location but in time — these historical fiction picks will completely sweep you up and transport you across decades and continents. Hammock recommended.
Kristin Hannah
The Women
A gripping novel about women nurses in the Vietnam War. Raw, heartbreaking, and totally unforgettable.
Jojo Moyes
The Giver Of Stars
Inspired by the real-life Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky, this story is full of grit and heart.
Mary Doria Russell
The Women of the Copper Country
Set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula during the labor strikes of the early 1900s. A fierce and feminist read.
Lisa See
The Island of Sea Women
Set on the Korean island of Jeju, this book is lush, emotional, and unlike anything else on this list.
Some Of My Favorite Summer Reads
Here are a few faves of mine that I have read in several summer settings. From sweltering June days on the shores of the Gulf, at home poolside, lakeside, on a boat, in a beach chair, and on my apartment balcony. Hope you enjoy these picks just as much as I do.
Dave Barry
Swamp Story
Florida chaos at its finest. Gators, influencers, and law breakers—you will laugh out loud .
Stephanie Danler
Sweetbitter
The New York restaurant scene comes to life in this sharp, sensory novel. It’s messy and magnetic—just like your early twenties.
Becky Chambers
A Psalm for the Wild Built
Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a flight attendant in the golden age of air travel? Hood spills it all with charm and honesty.
Griffin Dunne
The Friday Afternoon Club
A deeply personal mother-daughter memoir that explores legacy, grief, and love through family letters and reflections.
Whether you’re turning pages on a towel, under a tree, or from the comfort of your AC, I hope this list of summer reads helped you find your next favorite. I had so much fun putting this together — and now my ‘want to read’ list is somehow even longer.
Which setting are you spending some time in this summer season? Let me know what you’re reading in the comments or send this post to a friend who always texts you “What should I read next?”
This post was all about summer reads.
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