Summertime is almost upon us, and what better way to spend sun-soaked days than with a good book. Reading is one of my favorite activities, especially on the beach. I could spend hours listening to the waves, engrossed in an engaging story.
While there are MANY exciting titles coming out this summer, you don’t have to read the latest releases to find a good story. Here are my recommendations that you can borrow from your local library or find in your favorite (independently owned 🤞🏼) bookstore.
28 Summers (or anything written) by Elin Hilderbrand
While she is known as the ‘Queen of Beach Reads’, Elin Hilderbrand always offers an unforgettable story with her books, and 28 Summers is no exception. Based on the film Same Time Next Year, this novel focuses on Jake and Mallory, and their once-a-year affair that reoccurs over 28 summers on Nantucket.
She begins each year’s chapters with pop culture notes, offering a memorable escape as you explore how Jake and Mallory’s affair develops and deepens over the years.
Elin Hilderbrand is one of my favorite authors, so if you find you liked this book, you’ll also enjoy her backlist. Some of my favorites include The Love Season, The Blue Bistro, and Summerland.
Plus, on June 1st, her latest release, Golden Girl, will hit bookstores!
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
This inviting story follows Vivian Morris, a 19-year-old who moves to New York City in 1940 to live with her Aunt Peg and learns that you ‘don’t have to be a good girl to be a good person’ (love this description!).
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet
This was so good! I highly recommend reading it, especially before it’s released as a Limited Series on HBO. It’s the story of identical twin sisters who run away from home at 16 and go on to lead very different lives- one as black, the other as white.
To see how their lives take shape across years and generations, and how their individual choices go on to affect them and their loved ones, is riveting.
The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly
I originally read this as an ARC in January, but it’s the perfect piece of fiction to escape with. The story centers around Highbury House in England and its famed gardens.
Told through the lens of three different women in three different eras we learn how the garden and its history ties them together and, ultimately, changes their lives.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
This is a fun story of two writers who are thrown together for the summer and challenge each other to create work outside of what they’re comfortable with while also exploring themes of grief, betrayal, and family secrets.
Other great titles and authors to consider:
- Nine Perfect Strangers by Lianne Moriarty
- Surfside Sisters by Nancy Thayer (also set on Nantucket!)
- Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
- Just about anything written by Jenny Colgan, Jill Mansell, or Paige Toon.