I am a serious mood reader. I'm a mood-everything, to be honest. Blame it on my type 4 personality, or my defined Solar Plexus and Emotional Authority (yikes, getting woo woo on you) but if the weather and the vibe of the season doesn't match a book, I'm not reading it. So you can trust that the books I'm about to suggest to you have some serious Summer vibeage. You'll find beaches, lake houses, summer camps, and of course - summer lovin' in this list.
There's a lot of YA here (Summer vacation seems to be awfully conducive to coming of age), but there's also some good 'ol adult fiction, and even a solid nonfiction in the mix. Something for everyone! So grab some iced tea, open up a Book Outlet cart, and let's do this!
(PS, if you've never ordered from Book Outlet before, THIS link will get you $10 off your first order of $25 or more! It's a referral link, so they give me $10, too. It's the most fun, affordable, and addicting way to shop for books - promise!)
Wild Blue Wonder by Carlie Sorosiak
I read this one for The Reading Rush last year, and it was so gorgeous and emotional with a whole lot of atmosphere and a touch of whimsy. There were such interesting characters in this story - all intertwined in grief, love, and family. The story skips around between the past and present in a way that makes you feel the longing and sorrow. It takes place on a summer camp, and you get the true summer vibes through visions of a fateful Summer. It's beautiful - highly recommend! (Amazon | BookOutlet)
Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan
This one is a sequel to Little Beach Street Bakery, so you may want to start there. Truthfully, it's even more atmospheric than this one was. Both of them are artfully written about a woman making a home for herself on a small secluded island, and I could truthfully sit and read about this unique little village all day long. It's a perfect poolside or beach read if you're on vacation, but it's just as vibey from the hammock in your backyard. So good! (Amazon)
The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen
You know how sometimes characters just stick with you? I don't know what it was about this book, but Saylor and Roo have stuck in my mind in a way that makes me think they'll never leave it. This story takes place on a lake, following a group of "lake kids" navigating life through their small lake town in the most deliciously summery way. I read it while actually at a lake house last summer, which I highly recommend if you can make it happen. I wanted to be there with them - mixing work and summer fun, just enjoying the lake with their group of friends the way you do when you're young. It's not just all fluff, though. For Saylor, it was a summer of discovery and learning about a side of her family she hadn't previously had the opportunity to really know. (Amazon)
The Unhoneymooners by Christina LaurenAnother one I read during last year's Reading Rush! This was one of the most indulgent, fun romances I read all year! The maid of honor and best man from a wedding that opens the book end up on the bride and groom's honeymoon because of the food poisoning that tore through the wedding reception. The pair can't stand each other, but after enjoying an indulgent tropical getaway together, things change...in the best way. (Amazon)
The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
I read this one 4 years ago now, so forgive me for the lack of details I have to share with you but I do remember these things: I was obsessed with the summer vacation feelings it had, I loved the interesting summer jobs the characters held, and I loved the easy nature of Andie and her friend group. (Amazon | BookOutlet)
Summer Days and Summer Nights (Anthology)
A collection of short stories is a really fun way to get into the vibe of a thing. Stephanie Perkins has put a couple of these anthologies together, and they're so good! I read this one during a beach vacation and remember it being just perfect for laying in the sand under a big umbrella. Each story has such a different feeling to it, but they all pull you right into Summertime. (Amazon)
Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
This is another one of those stories with a character that jumps out at you years later. When your mind is done singing the Kelly Clarkson song every time you see the title, you'll think of Frank next. Which is not your average teenage romance name! Maybe that's why it's so memorable. He was an unlikely partner for Sloane as she spent her summer working through a bucket list left behind by her best friend. They end up in a lot of really fun and interesting situations, and together build a summer to remember. (Amazon)
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
The title sounds a lot more scandalous than it is, but there was for sure some deep emotion and sexual themes in this book. Enough that I wished (and made it so in my head) that the main characters were at least a year older. But even with that little hiccup, the stories in this book are so, so dreamy and exciting. Overall, it's an incredibly interesting coming of age story, both with managing friendships and boys as you grow. Most of the story takes place on and around a beach, making this a great beach or vacation read. (Amazon)
Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno
I just wrote a little review of this one in a post recently, and I hate to be redundant but these were my thoughts: This is just one of those beautifully atmospheric books, woven simultaneously with hints of magical elements and social hurdles in perfect balance. It for sure depends on how much you like the odd or magical, because there *is* a girl who turns into a bird in this book. Yep. BUT, if you can instead focus on the extremities of teenage emotion made manifest into physical reactions, you'll find yourself wishing you could stay in their bed and breakfast, waiting patiently on their sweet little island for a rare magical bird to come and dazzle you. Perfect Summer book! (Amazon)
Nature Fix by Florence Williams
I am again, going to struggle with the details because I read this one three summers ago, but it was really great. I chose it because I wanted to know more about the life of trees and the advantages of spending time in nature, and it was perfect for that. If you're looking for some nonfiction and are intrigued by forest bathing and fresh air, this is a perfect one to read this summer. (Amazon)
The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy by Jenny Han
The best advice I can offer you here is to have all three books on hand when you start this series. I tore through them ravenously - staying up all night in order to remain in this beach house with these characters. Teenage Belly is in love with two brothers. She's grown up spending summers with them since she was little - their moms being best friends and vacationing together every year. They are her "summer family" that tends to remain there in summertime each year, until she becomes old enough for that to really change. It is so satisfying to watch them all grow - together and as individuals - as they return to their beach house each year. In the final book, there were a lot of unhealthy decisions, but in a "human nature is messy and people make mistakes like this all the time" sort of way. It had a perfect mixture of heartbreak and love, a realistic description of navigating the awkward nature of being candid about your feelings, and trying to do right by family. This was one of my very favorite series, and it's more than perfect for summer! (Amazon | Book 2 BookOutlet)
I've read and thoroughly enjoyed all of those books, and I hope you fall into their warm, carefree, Summery settings as much as I did! They were all a treat to me when I read them, so I hope they are for you, too!
Just a little "cliff notes" suggestion: you can't really go wrong on Summer books with Sarah Dessen, Kasie West, Morgan Matson, and Jenny Han.
I've collected a few books recently (and still have even more on order) that I cannot wait to read because I think they fit the Summer vibe just as perfectly as the ones I've shared above. Don't quote me on these ones, but hopefully by next year when I revise my list, I'll be able to add these.
Small Town Hearts by Lillie Vale
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Summer in the Invisible City by Juliana Romano
Beach Read by Emily Henry
The Summer I Met Jack by Michelle Gable
Well Met by Jen DeLuca
Do let me know if I've missed anything delicious! xx
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