MY SUMMER READING LIST
I look forward to summer reading all year long (obviously ahah) & start curating my list in the depths of winter. While I love to read all types of books, in the summer I tend to indulge in more laid-back, juicy & “beachy” reads as a bit of a mental vacation, ya feel me? I likely won’t get to ALL of these books this summer but I love to dream & curate a list that makes me excited to turn more pages, so here is my 2021 summer reading list & you can find all of them linked here on bookshop.org which supports independent booksellers!
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris— I keep hearing rave reviews about this book!! One of my book-loving pals told me it’s the “best book I’ve read in a while” & she’s always on point with her recommendations.
Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand— I haven’t read much of Elin’s books but this is her newest release & I know she’s the queen of juicy beach reads. I’m also including Summer of ‘69 on my list as well!
A Deadly Inside Scoop & A Game of Cones by Abby Collette— The first & second books in a cozy culinary mystery series that takes place in an ice cream parlor, yes & YES!
Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland— I’ve heard this one compared to Dirty Dancing which just gives me all the nostalgic summer vibes!
Pizza Girl by Jean Kyoung Frazier— Okay this was on my summer reading list LAST year & I didn’t get to it so I’m hoping to make it happen this year.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry— I LOVED reading Beach Read last year, Emily is a fantastic author, I’m saving this one for our trip to Hawaii in July & I can hardly wait!!
The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed—a coming-of-age novel that explores issues of race, class, and violence through the eyes of a wealthy black teenager whose family gets caught in the vortex of the 1992 Rodney King Riots.
Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin— I always have to have a few good thrillers in the mix, this one has been on my list for a while too.
The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent— Beach Read meets Sweetbitter in this laugh-out-loud of a good friend's very bad decision and the summer job that stands to ruin or make her life.
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria— I’m getting more into romances like this & this one just sounds steamy!
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid— One of the most anticipated releases of the summer by the same author of Daisy Jones & the Six!
Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland— Historical fiction in WW2 era, I feel like I can’t get enough of that era personally, such a fascinating time.
The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell— The cover of this says “a page-turner for readers who like beach reads on the dark side.” YEP!
American Royals by Katharine McGee— Gossip Girl vibes in this series about what might have happened if George Washinton had established a monarchy in America!
Gift from the Sea: 50th-Anniversary Edition by Anne Morrow Lindbergh— To feed my soul & soak in some inspiration.
Girl, Woman, Other: A Novel (Booker Prize Winner) by Bernardine Evaristo— Another book that has been on my list for a long while.
The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews— a pool-side beach read with all the right elements— romance & suspense, I’m in!
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett— Ann is an unbelievable author & I’m yearning to dive into another one of her masterpieces.
The Siren by Katherine St John— This one just sounds like the perfect juicy summer read, I might save it for Hawaii too!
Wow, No Thank You.: Essays by Samantha Irby— I continue to hear amazing things about Samantha Irby & I’m craving a little humor this summer as well.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston— This book sounds wildly entertaining, I’m actually starting with it for my summer reading!
Sea Wife by Amity Gaige— Another one that I’m bumping from last year’s list, something about the sea life is so intriguing to me!
The Sweet Taste of Muscadines by Pamela Terry— This one drew me instantly, sound like the most perfect summer read about family secrets!
Float Plan by Trish Doller— Heartbroken by the loss of her fiancé, adventurous Anna finds a second chance at love with an Irish sailor in this riveting, emotional romance.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart— This one gives me nostalgic teen summer movie vibes like I Know What You Did Last Summer!
The Invincible Summer of Juniper Jones by Daven McQueen— Summer, 1955, small-town Alabama, Ethan is confronted for the first time by what it means to be black in America.
Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn— a groundbreaking debut novel that folds the legends of Hawaiian gods into an engrossing family saga; a story of exile and the pursuit of salvation.
This Is Not How It Ends by Rochelle B. Weinstein— The story of a woman torn between two love stories, gimmie gimme!!
The Second Home by Christina Clancy— Another bump from last year’s summer reading list that takes place in Cape Cod, beachy vibes on deck with some family history!
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave— A gripping mystery about a woman who thinks she's found the love of her life--until he disappears.
What are you excited to read this summer? Are any of these on your list too? Let me know in the comments!!