10 Summer Reading Recommendations for 2024
Written on May 23, 2024
As the end of May approaches with the promise of summer vacations ahead, it’s time to start thinking about the books to keep you company for lazy mornings spent on the front porch or long drives on family road trips.
We have ten recommendations for you as you plan out your summer reading list:
Breezy, Beachy Reads
For a bit of a mental break, why not turn to a playful and fun novel that is easy to dip in and out of as you enjoy a little pool time?
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
Emma has spent her life dreaming of becoming a screenwriter, so when presented with the opportunity to rewrite a script for legend Charlie Yates she can hardly believe she will be moving to Los Angeles for six weeks. Charlie, however, is not as keen to have a writing partner, and the two don’t exactly see eye-to-eye.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Daphne and Miles are left by their partners, who have decided their life-long friendship is true love. The two become roommates, and to cope with their heartache concoct a plan to showcase their summer adventures together and prove they have moved on from their break-ups. The fake dating and opposites attract romance tropes abound in this summer release from beloved author Emily Henry.
The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
Sequel to 2021’s smash summer title, The Guncle, The Guncle Abroad reacquaints readers with Patrick O’Hara, who has revitalized his acting career as the lead in a popular sitcom and is recovering from a break-up. When his brother-in-law’s destination wedding in Italy approaches, Patrick once again finds himself drawn to the care of his nephew and niece as they adjust to their new normal, all while competing with “Launt” (Lesbian Aunt) for favorite relative.
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan
From the bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians comes a standalone read about a forbidden affair that takes place during a lavish tropical wedding. Rufus Leung Gresham, future Duke of Greshambury, must choose between Solène de Courcy, a French hotel heiress; Martha Dung, the tattooed venture capital genius, or the girl next door, who has his heart. Love, lies, money, and murder weave together in a story set in various exotic locales around the world.
Page-Turners
If you’ve booked a summer vacation and want to quickly pass the time as you travel to your destination, a captivating thriller will keep you engaged!
The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle
A dream vacation turns into a nightmare when Stella’s husband Adam goes missing following an explosion in the city square. When the French police investigate the incident, it is revealed that Adam was the dealer of rare and stolen antiquities to a long list of criminal clientele.
Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon
En route to an event, the vehicle of all-female pop group Bittersweet careens off the road, injuring one musician and killing another. The remaining band members find shelter at an abandoned cabin while a blizzard rages outside, but one by one, each meets a gruesome end.
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
Queen of the domestic thriller Sally Hepworth is back this summer with Darling Girls, the story of three girls taken into foster care by Miss Fairchild. Although the girls are raised on a charming estate in the care of what appears to be a loving foster mother, all is not as it seems. Secrets, sisterhood, and murder take center stage in this highly anticipated page-turner.
Backlist Books
If lengthy library hold lists are grinding your summer reading progress to a halt, look for one of these highly rated backlist releases.
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
In 1970s Baltimore, teenager Mary Jane has accepted a position as summer nanny for a local doctor. Quiet, bookish, and from a conservative household, Mary Jane introduces order to the chaos of the doctor’s household while enjoying a front row seat to the world of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Caught between the life she has always known and the endless possibilities of the future ahead, this coming-of-age novel captures the reckoning of how we were raised and the life we might want to have.
Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas
After graduating college, a young woman departs for holiday with her mother in a quiet Australian coastal town. She finds herself drawn to Jude, twenty years her senior, becoming more and more enthralled with him, his life, and the intimacy that grows between them. When a friend from Jude’s past arrives, the relationship that has been growing is threatened. When she witnesses something she doesn’t understand, she questions Jude, herself, and the life she both has and wants.
Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe
In the housing projects of Chicago, a trio of friends welcome a fourth into their group, shifting its dynamic amidst the teardown of their neighborhood by the Chicago Housing Authority. The relationships and family structures are affected, and throughout the one fateful summer of 1999, the girls must navigate these changes.
Come chat with us about summer reading over on Facebook! We’d love to hear what you’re excited about this season!
For even more summer reading recommendations, check out the following lists:
