One of the many incredible things about summer is that you (theoretically) have more time: Time to enjoy nature, time to have fun with friends and family, and, of course, time to read.
Reading is without a doubt my preferred summer activity (ideally, in combination with someplace green and beautiful, sipping something very cold, obviously). This is also the time of year that I take a risk on a rogue recommendation and jump genres as freely and as often as I apply sunscreen. If you share with me the spirit of the unbound beach read, too, you are in the right place. But one question remains: Which summer books to choose?
“If you share with me the spirit of the unbound beach read, too, you are in the right place. But one question remains: Which summer books to choose?”
I have an answer: 99 of them, in fact. That’s why we’ve compiled just the mega-list for you — captivating beach reads that traverse all my favorite genres, be it a fizzy, romantic romp or a dramatic true crime page-turner (and everything in between). This list is a look into the greatest summer literature of all time; from the wistful nostalgia of Margarita Liberaki’s Greek masterpiece “Three Summers” to Ray Bradbury’s “The Martian Chronicles.” I promise, these recommendations will have you enjoying the end of summer through the eyes of some of the best writers of our time.
If (when) you do decide to order a few of these titles, we recommend you do so through our friends at Bookshop.org. We love Bookshop because each and every purchase supports the independent literary community, including bookstores, imprints, and authors who bring words to life. A good book and a good cause? I mean..c’mon! 🙂
We’d also love to hear what books you would add to this list! Drop your favorite books in the comments so we can take a peek into your own special, deliciously seasonal literary vibe.
New releases
Atmosphere: A Love Story, by Taylor Jenkins Reid: A rich, emotionally charged love story set within NASA’s 1980s space shuttle program.
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot, by Marianne Cronin: A tender and uplifting tale of an unexpected friendship between a teenager and an elderly patient confronting mortality.
The Five-Star Weekend, by Elin Hilderbrand: A lavish weekend in Nantucket brings five very different women together for a tense — and revealing — reunion.
The Summer of Lost and Found, by Mary Alice Monroe: A woman who returns to her childhood summer home to find solace after a personal loss.
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe, by Heather Webber: A magical realist novel set in a small Alabama town, a woman discovers secrets about her grandmother’s café and the mysterious power of the blackbirds that gather there.
The Lost Summers of Newport, by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White: Three women, three totally different eras…one timeless story.
The Summer Sisters, by Sara Richardson: Two sisters are reunited as they explore family, forgiveness, and second chances during a chaotic summer of unexpected change.
The Island Escape, by Kerry Fisher: A woman tries to escape her past on a charming Mediterranean island, forcing her to confront everything she thought she was running from.
The Paris Library, by Janet Skeslien Charles: Based on the true story of the American Library in Paris during World War II, this novel intertwines the lives of a young woman in 1939 Paris and a librarian in modern-day Montana.
The Summer Place, by Jennifer Weiner: A family reunion at a beach house in Cape Cod turns into a summer of reckoning.
The Sea Glass Cottage, by Irene Hannon: A woman returns to her childhood home on the coast to heal from a broken heart, only to find herself caught up in a mystery that changes her life forever.
The Summer House, by Mary Alice Monroe: A family of women comes together to heal and find hope during a transformative summer in a southern beach town.
Great Big Beautiful Life, by Emily Henry: Two authors clash and converge over narrating a woman’s sensational life — flirty, fun, and filled with plot twists.
The Names, by Florence Knapp: A poignant triptych exploring how three lives pivot around the power and meaning of a name.
Memoirs
I’m Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy: A dark and funny memoir about childhood fame, family dysfunction, and healing from Hollywood trauma.
Finding Me, by Viola Davis: The award-winning actress traces her path from poverty to Hollywood acclaim.
Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah: A wildly funny and moving story about Noah’s childhood growing up mixed-race under apartheid in South Africa.
Taste, by Stanley Tucci: A delicious cookbook-adjacent dive into the actor’s lifelong love affair with food and family.
Crying in H Mart, by Michelle Zauner: Musician Zauner explores grief, vulnerability, and Korean food after the death of her mother.
Year of Yes, by Shonda Rhimes: The television mogul said “yes” to everything for a year: wild and powerful things happened.
Running with Scissors, by Augusten Burroughs: A twisted and hilarious tale of growing up in a deeply dysfunctional household.
Broken Horses, by Brandi Carlile: The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter tells the story of her musical and personal journey. A soulful, candid reflection on love, faith, and finding your voice.
You Could Make This Place Beautiful, by Maggie Smith: The poet’s memoir of divorce and reinvention is a must-read.
My Life in France, by Julia Child: The iconic chef shares her joyous discovery of French food and culture.
Hunger, by Roxane Gay: Gay explores the complexities of weight, trauma, and selfhood with stunning honesty.
Educated, by Tara Westover: Raised by survivalists, Westover breaks away and eventually earns a PhD from Cambridge.
Hello, Molly!, by Molly Shannon: The SNL alum shares stories of loss, laughter, and outrageous moments from her life in entertainment.
Minor Feelings, by Cathy Park Hong: A blend of memoir, cultural criticism, and social commentary from a renowned Korean American poet.
Somebody’s Daughter, by Ashley C. Ford: A tender and nostalgic deep-dive into growing up Black and poor in America.
On Writing, by Stephen King: Part memoir, part craft guide, and entirely engaging for writers and readers alike. An unpretentious and inspiring look at the writing life.
Essay Collections
Wow, No Thank You, by Samantha Irby: A punchy, personal, and totally relatable collection of essays on awkwardness, adulthood, and the exhaustion that comes with functioning in modern life.
Trick Mirror, by Jia Tolentino: A sharp, witty collection that examines internet culture, feminism, and ithe illusions we live (and love) by.
Slouching Towards Bethlehem, by Joan Didion: Iconic essays from 1960s California capturing its contradictions, anxieties, and allure.
You Don’t Have to Be Everything, edited by Diana Whitney: A life-affirming invitation of essays to be messy, bold, and entirely yourself.
I Was Told There’d Be Cake, by Sloane Crosley: A neurotic, sharp and charming look at the absurdities of urban life.
The Book of Delights, by Ross Gay: A daily meditation on understated joys, from sunflowers to eye contact.
The Anthropocene Reviewed, by John Green: Reviews of everyday things (like Diet Dr Pepper and sunsets) become portals to deeper truths.
Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris: Sedaris’s classic skewering of life’s oddities — from speech therapy to expat life in France.
The Crane Wife, by CJ Hauser: After a cancelled wedding, Hauser reflects on on love’s strange and shifting forms.
These Precious Days, by Ann Patchett: Thoughtful, personal essays on writing, friendship, and the moments that shape us.
My Misspent Youth, by Meghan Daum: From obsession with real estate to cultural ennui, these essays are razor-sharp takes on ambition, nostalgia, and the cost of independence.
Crazy Salad, by Nora Ephron: A hilarious meditation on 1970s womanhood.
A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again, by David Foster Wallace: Brilliant, neurotic explorations of homegrown American culture.
Feel Free, by Zadie Smith: A lively mix of essays on politics, art, books, and Beyoncé.
Against Everything, by Mark Greif: A smart, wry and provocative guide to gyms, YouTube, and existential dread.
Novels
Three Summers, Margarita Liberaki: Set in the sun-drenched countryside outside Athens, this coming-of-age classic follows three sisters over the course of three transformative summers.
Sunburn, by Laura Lippman: In a sleepy Delaware town, two strangers with secrets spark a dangerous affair under the blazing summer sun.
The Ensemble, by Aja Gabel: Four classical musicians navigate decades of friendship, rivalry, and ambition as a string quartet on the rise.
Funny Story, by Emily Henry: After a broken engagement, a children’s librarian and her ex’s new partner’s ex become unexpected roommates.
The Guest, by Emma Cline: A drifting young woman crashes the high-end party scene in the Hamptons, charming her way through a world she doesn’t belong to.
The Jetsetters, by Amanda Eyre Ward: A dysfunctional family reunites on a Mediterranean cruise, unearthing long-buried secrets between stops in sun-drenched ports.
Romantic Comedy, by Curtis Sittenfeld: A comedy writer swears off love until a pop star challenges her cynicism during a live TV taping.
One Italian Summer, by Rebecca Serle: After her mother’s death, a grieving daughter travels in time to 1960s Italy — and meets her mom as a vibrant young woman.
The Paper Palace, by Miranda Cowley Heller: In the course of one day at a family summer home, a woman faces a life-altering choice between her past and present.
People We Meet on Vacation, by Emily Henry: Two best friends and former travel buddies reunite for one last romantic trip.
The Vacationers, by Emma Straub: A New York family heads to Mallorca for two weeks of supposed relaxation — but relaxation is the last thing they have in store.
The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury: A haunting mosaic of stories charting humanity’s colonization of Mars.
Malibu Rising, by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Glamorous siblings throw a legendary end-of-summer party in 1980s Malibu — with explosive consequences.
The Unhoneymooners, by Christina Lauren: Two enemies fake being newlyweds to claim a non-refundable Hawaiian vacation — and sparks fly.
The Guncle, by Steven Rowley: A once-famous actor unexpectedly becomes the caretaker of his young niece and nephew in Palm Springs.
Shark Heart, by Emily Habeck: A new wife faces an impossible truth: her husband is slowly transforming into a great white shark.
Book Lovers, by Emily Henry: A cutthroat literary agent and a brooding editor keep colliding in a small town straight out of a Hallmark movie.
Nonfiction
Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, by Dacher Keltner: Explores how experiencing wonder can enrich our daily lives.
The Chancellor: The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel, by Kati Marton: A definitive biography of one of modern Europe’s most influential-and under-the-radar- leaders.
Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America, by Leila Philip: A quirky, environmental history of the beaver’s impact on America.
Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon, by Melissa L. Sevigny: Celebrates the adventures of two pioneering female botanists in the Grand Canyon.
Fake Work, by Leigh Claire La Berge: A sharp critique of modern corporate life and the illusions of productivity that we all encounter along the way.
The Year of Living Danishly, by Helen Russell: A witty and insightful dive into Denmark’s secret to happiness as the author relocates and tries to live the world’s “happiest lifestyle.”
Joy Goddess, by A’Lelia Bundles: The captivating biography of Josephine Baker, tracing her artistic triumphs and cultural impact.
Kuleana, by Sara Kehaulani Goo: A lyrical memoir reflecting on Hawaiian bones, belonging, and environmental reconnection.
Jumping Through Hoops, by Betsy Golden Kellem: The fascinating story of how nineteenth-century circus women performed impossible feats and changed American culture.
The Dry Season, by Melissa Febos: A candid and stirring memoir on celibacy, freedom, and emotional clarity.
To Save and to Destroy: Writing as an Other, by Viet Thanh Nguyen: Six powerful essays on writing, belonging, and solidarity from his Norton Lectures.
The Wager, by David Grann: A true story about a shipwreck that unfolds like a thriller, filled with twists, turns, and moral questions.
Short story collections
Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri: Characters caught between cultures navigate intimacy, identity, and isolation.
Her Body and Other Parties, by Carmen Maria Machado: Blending horror, folklore, and feminism, these stories explore the female body and its many mysteries.
Tenth of December, by George Saunders: A moving and sharply observed glimpse into human vulnerability and resilience, by way of kindness.
Exhalation, by Ted Chiang: These cerebral sci-fi stories probe the limits of time, consciousness, and what makes us human.
Florida, by Lauren Groff: Set in steamy, storm-tossed Florida, these stories explore women’s lives on the edge of civilization and self-control.
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, by Deesha Philyaw: Black women wrestle with desire, faith, and freedom in these intimate and wise short stories.
The Thing Around Your Neck, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The stories of Nigerian women and men create connection across borders.
Cat Person and Other Stories, by Kristen Roupenian: From viral fame to emotional horror, these tales explore dark and hilarious forms of miscommunication.
A Manual for Cleaning Women, by Lucia Berlin: Drawn from her real life, Berlin’s stories are sharp and compassionate look at addiction, labor, and the everyday struggles of women.
The Office of Historical Corrections, by Danielle Evans: An incisive, layered collection that interrogates truth and the stories we tell to survive.
You Think It, I’ll Say It, by Curtis Sittenfeld: Witty, stories about the awkwardness and contradictions of modern relationships.
Everything Inside, by Edwidge Danticat: Haitian characters face love and loss, migration and memory, with grace and quiet resilience.
Awayland, by Ramona Ausubel: Whimsical and surreal, these global tales combine magical realism and emotional depth.
Black Light, by Kimberly King Parsons: Hilarious stories about messy women chasing pleasure and connection.
The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories, by Ken Liu: From magical paper animals to futuristic empires, these stories mix sci-fi, history, and heart.
Homesick for Another World, by Ottessa Moshfegh: Bizarre, bleakly funny stories about misfits and loners and their alienated world.
Show Them a Good Time, by Nicole Flattery: Irish women navigate absurd jobs, sexual politics, and the loneliness and weirdness of modern life.
Poetry
Devotions, by Mary Oliver: Oliver’s life’s work celebrates nature, love, and spiritual presence in the everyday.
The Carrying, by Ada Limón: Lush language and emotional precision is put to use in these gorgeous poems and womanhood and motherhood.
Life on Mars, by Tracy K. Smith: A Pulitzer Prize–winning collection that blends science fiction, loss, and lyrical grace.
The Sun and Her Flowers, by Rupi Kaur: A timeless and captivating collection about love, growth, and cultural heritage, told with vulnerable simplicity.
Crush, by Richard Siken: Intense, cinematic poems about obsession and desire, wrapped in a cinematic fever dream.
A Thousand Mornings, by Mary Oliver: Profound and beautiful observations of the natural world.
Soft Science, by Franny Choi: Poems that explore Asian American experience through inventive forms and sharp insight.
Postcolonial Love Poem, by Natalie Diaz: Sensual poems rooted in love and culture of the Indigenous experience.
Night Sky with Exit Wounds, by Ocean Vuong: Vuong weaves war, queerness, and immigration into a tender and graceful poetic read.
Milk and Honey, by Rupi Kaur: Divided into four parts — hurting, loving, breaking, healing — these poems exude feminine strength.
100 Selected Poems, by E.E. Cummings: Romance meets language in joyful and expansive poetry.
Love Poems, by Nikki Giovanni: Passion, truth and clarity resonate deeply in this poetic masterpiece about love.
Odes to Common Things, by Pablo Neruda: A celebration of the everyday — the onion, socks, a broken chair — with lyrical reverence.
Averno, by Louise Glück: A stunning, mythic journey into loss, love, and the underworld.
The Selected Poems of Wendell Berry: Nature, simplicity, and spiritual rootedness define this tribute to land, and everlasting love.
A Brighter Word Than Bright: Keats at Work, by Dan Beachy-Quick: A luminous critical-poetic homage to Keats, blending biography and meditative, romantic poetry.
Love and Other Poems, by Alex Dimitrov: A joyful, melancholic ode to pleasure, heartbreak, and wonder.
Rebecca Leib is a writer, podcaster, and comedian who’s appeared in the AV Club, Bustle, and Marie Clare. Her writing is in VICE, Reductress, LAist, Los Angelino, LA WEEKLY, Art Etc. and on NatGeo, NBC + NBC Digital, Disney, Investigation Discovery, and CBS. Most recently, she worked as a writer/producer on National Geographic’s “Brain Games” reboot with Keegan Michael Key. Check out her comedy/history podcast, “Ghost Town,” and find her on Instagram and X at @RebeccaLeib.
The post 99 Beach Reads For Long Summer Days (2025) appeared first on The Good Trade.