What makes a great summer read? It could be the light subject matter, the fast pacing, or the ease of reading. I don’t typically differentiate my books by the seasons; I want an engrossing story of any type regardless of the weather. But if you crave that summer read for vacation or for lazy days on the beach, in the sun, or (like me) in the air conditioning, here are four novels I’ve enjoyed in the last two months that you may like to try.
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post. This means I earn a few cents from any purchase you make by clicking through these links.
Us Against You by Fredrick Backman
I loved Beartown, and this sequel was just as good – maybe even better. While it stands alone, readers of Beartown will welcome the residents of this hockey town back into their lives, if just for a little while.
On the surface, this is a story about a small hockey town struggling to go on after a scandal and a tragedy. Below the surface, it is a story about what unites and divides us, and the choices we have in forging our own paths. I marvel at how Backman can create characters who seem nothing like me, but each one embodies certain truths about being human to which anyone can relate. The residents of Beartown are flawed, damaged, survivors, haters, lovers, manipulators, mothers and fathers. There is a bit of us in each one of them.
Why it’s a great summer read: It’s a compelling story with short chapters, which seems to make the reading easier and faster.
The Marriage Pact: A Novel by Michelle Richmond
Jake and Alice receive an odd wedding present from one of her law firm’s clients; it’s an invitation to join an exclusive group called The Pact. The Pact’s purpose is to maintain happy and successful marriages…but at what cost? When one of the newlyweds breaks a Pact rule, things start to get weird.
While suspenseful and horrifying in a “The Firm” kind of way, this novel raises some interesting questions about marriage. What makes a marriage work? How does a couple nurture one another and the marriage while remaining true to themselves?
Why it’s a great summer read: It is a page turner with a gripping plot – I had a tough time putting it down.
The High Season by Judy Blundell
Ruthie, ex-husband Mike, and teenage daughter Jem move out of their house in the Hamptons every summer so that renters can move in. That rental income is the only way they can keep their home year-round, but this summer the renter is a socialite widow and her playboy stepson.
Ruthie’s job as head of the town’s tiny art museum is in peril, Jem is testing her limits, Mike may be getting involved with the widow…lots of stuff is going on, and it’s a fun ride.
Why it’s a great summer read: The plot is packed with drama, some of it cheesy, and the book is set in the Hamptons, during the summer. It was made to be read on the beach!
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
This is a clever reimagining of the classic fairytale. Set in the future when the moon is colonized, Cinder is a cyborg (human with robotic parts) indentured to her stepmother. A lowly mechanic, Cinder’s chance meeting with the prince of New Beijing puts her in the middle of a struggle for the crown.
While I’ve read quite a few YA fantasy/dystopian novels, this one still caught my interest. Cinder is not a damsel in distress, the prince is not a self-absorbed dweeb, and Meyer’s imagined future world is intriguing.
Why it’s a great summer read: If you don’t typically read Young Adult, it’s a nice change of pace from heavier reads. This one is an easy, fast-paced novel, and an addictive first book of a trilogy.
I hope one of these summer reads appeals to you! If not, check out my reviews from May, or read my recap of the first leg of our European adventure: Four days in Budapest. Stay tuned for the Vienna recap next week. Happy reading!
We read Beartown for my bookclub at your recommendation. Looking forward to reading Us Against You, as well as the others on this list as they all sound amazing!
Thanks Bev! Btw, my sister loved her necklace 🙂
As always, I LOVE these posts with your amazing book reviews. I am pinning this and looking into them all at the local library STAT.
Btw- I LOVE YOUR NEW SITE!!! IT’S GORGEOUS!!!!
These look good, Dana. A friend has tried to get me to read Cinder, but I’m skeptical. Your review makes it sound more intriguing. I can’t wait to read BEARTOWN. Thanks for the suggestions. I just finished The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty, another good “summer read”, although not my favorite of her books.
I read that one too, although I agree – not my favorite. It’s funny, I’ve seen the cover of Cinder many times and was never interested. I’m not sure what made me pick it up – maybe it was on sale from Kindle? Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised.
I love your concise and insightful recommendations. I bet you always got an A+ on book reports in school! I also LOVE the new look of your site – so soft, calming and inviting!
Thank you Mo!
The Lunar Chronicles is such a good series!
I’m looking forward to reading the next one!
I just finished The High Season. I really liked it, but I had a tiny little problem with one little subplot. I’m sure you can guess which one that was. I was also reading The Perfect Couple at the same time and it was interesting how similar the two books were – in a way anyway. Great list, thanks Dana
The High Season is not my typical read, but it was a nice change of pace for me. It’s good to mix things up, right?
PS your site looks super fabulous!
Somebody else was telling me about High Season – it’s in my Audible cart right now waiting until my credits refresh for the month (audio books are perfect for unpacking). Great list as always, Dana. Thanks for doing these!
You’re very welcome…and I’m glad you like the makeover 🙂
Hi Dana! I love the revamped website; congrats! All four books sound intriguing. I’m thinking about getting Audible so that I have other options when trying to read more books. These books sound like a good fit for that app!
I love Audible, Alison! Definitely give it a try.
I have The Marriage Pact from work but didn’t get to finish it and it got lost when we renovated last year. I know it’s still down there somewhere and I really want to read it!
I hope you find it – it’s a good read!
Thanks! I find it hard to find a good book lately! Going to check these out!
Happy reading, Deanna!
Yay and always love your book reviews. I am in the middle of two different novels from July BOTM as last week being away at Disney I didn’t get much reading done in all honesty. But going to add a few of these, especially The Marriage Pact as that one sounds like it would definitely be a book I would read and enjoy 🙂
Oh, I think you’d like that one, Janine!
OOOh, some good juicy ones. I need a new audio novel. I’m going to think about these.
Happy listening, Nina!
Right now I’m reading one of your recommendations – The Alice Network – and I’m completely engrossed! I cannot wait to see how it ends, yet I don’t want it to.
Thanks for reminding me about Beartown. I wrote it (and The Marriage Pact) down so I won’t forget 🙂 (and when I say “wrote down” I mean I put it on my book list on my phone 🙂
Happy summer reading!
Loved The Alice Network – glad you do too!