11 of the Best Books to Read This Summer

Summer is a time for relaxation and fun, but it can also be a time for personal growth. If you’re looking to expand your horizons this summer, consider picking up one of these books. They cover a variety of topics and are sure to keep you entertained. Check out this list of the best books to read this summer. All of the titles are linked for you to easily add to your Amazon cart!

Best Books to Read This Summer

When summertime rolls around, most people are not as busy as they once were. It’s the perfect time to settle down and read a few books while you have the chance. Make sure you check out these awesome summer book options for adults. 

1. “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins

The Girl on the Train is a psychological thriller that tells the story of three women: Rachel, Megan and Anna. Rachel is a divorced woman who spends her days riding the train to and from London, spying on her ex-husband and his new wife. One day, she sees something shocking happen in their backyard and becomes entangled in the subsequent investigation. The novel is a page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end.

2. “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett

The Help is set in Jackson, Mississippi, during the early 1960s. Aibileen is a black maid who has always taken orders quietly, but lately she’s unable to hold her bitterness back. Her friend Minny has never held her tongue but now must somehow keep secrets about her employer. White socialite Skeeter just graduated college and has returned home. Together, these seemingly different women join together to write a tell-all book about work as a black maid in the South, that could forever alter their destinies. It’s a story about bravery and standing up for yourself.

3. “The Martian” by Andy Weir

The Martian is the story of an astronaut, Mark Watney, who is stranded on Mars after being presumed dead by his crew. He must find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive and find a way to survive until help arrives.

4. “Go Set a Watchman” by Harper Lee

Go Set a Watchman is a sequel to Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The book was originally written before To Kill a Mockingbird, but it was not published until after the success of Lee’s other book.

5. “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han

From the New York Times bestselling author of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty is the first book of this series and is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Belly (Isabel) and her family spend every summer in Cousins at Susannah’s beach house with her boys. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer—they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. This is the summer that everything changes. It’s Not Summer Without You and We’ll Always Have Summer are the other books in the trilogy.

6. “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed

Wild is the story of Cheryl Strayed, who, at the age of 26, decides to hike the entire Pacific Crest Trail alone without any training or preparation. The book chronicles her physical and emotional journey on the trail, as she confronts her past and learns to accept herself.

7. “Love & Gelato” by Jenna Evans Welch

Love & Gelato tells the story of Lina as she spends the summer in Tuscany as her mother’s dying wish. After Lina is given a journal that her mom wrote when she lived in Italy years ago, she begins to uncover secret romances, art, and hidden bakeries. She also discovers a secret that will change everything she knew about her mother, her father—and even herself. This book was made into a movie you can stream on Netflix!

8. “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park is a love story about two teens who are unlikely friends. Eleanor is a shy, awkward girl who is teased at school, while Park is a popular boy who plays in a punk band. They bond over their shared love of music and comics and eventually fall in love.

9. “The Beach House”  by Mary Alice Monroe

The Beach House is a novel about a mother and daughter, Cara and Elise, who are struggling to connect with each other. Cara is busy with her career as a doctor, while Elise is trying to find her way in the world. When they inherit a beach house from their late father, they decide to spend the summer there and try to repair their relationship.

10. “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation is a rom-com about two friends, Poppy and Alex, who go on a trip to Mexico together. They have a great time, but things start to go wrong when they develop feelings for each other. The book is a lighthearted read that will make you laugh and warm your heart.

11. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing is a novel about a young girl, Kya, who grows up in the marshlands of North Carolina. She is isolated from the outside world and becomes estranged from her family. When two boys from town are found dead, Kya is suspected of being involved. The book is a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. The movie based on this book was just released in theaters and I’m looking forward to seeing it soon!

If you’re looking for books to read this summer for adults, hopefully, these selections will keep your imagination running wild and free! You may be asking yourself “what are the best books to read this summer?” I hope this list helps you out!