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May 17th: Summer Reads: The weather is heating up (for half of the world), so what books remind you of summer and are your quintessential summer reads?
I’ll be honest: I’m not much of a seasonal reader. I get the logic behind it – some books being better suited for certain seasons – but I can’t say that’s a huge factor in me deciding what’s next on my TBR. I mean, I read A Little Life in July – coming in at around 700+ pages of pure depression, I’m pretty sure that should be a February book, but not for me.
That said, I’ve read a lot of books that I think would make for good summer reads! So if you’re looking for something quick, thrilling, and addicting to read at the beach this summer, maybe give one of these a try:
The Last Night at Tremore Beach by Mikel Santiago
The one sentence summary: The recently divorced Peter Harper decides to spend his summer on the idyllic Irish coast, which turns out to be anything but peaceful as this vaguely paranormal thriller unfolds.
Why it’s a good summer read: The beach setting and the page-turning storyline makes this a fantastic summer book. You won’t want to put it down until you get to the end, making it a great book to take with you while you spend the day by the ocean. (Ironically, I read this in December.)
Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge
The one sentence summary: Barry Bleecker and Sophie Ducel’s plane crashes somewhere in the Marquesas, leaving these two strangers to survive together on an island.
Why it’s a good summer read: Because reading about this beautiful tropical island in the middle of winter is going to make you cry. This short and sweet book is best consumed with a body of water nearby. As it’s under 300 pages long, this is the perfect book to read in a day, and it’s so compelling that you won’t want to put it down. If you’re looking for something addicting to help you get back into the reading groove on your summer holidays, look no further.
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
The one sentence summary: 16 year old Aaron Soto is finally settling back into a routine in the months after his father’s suicide, supported by his mom and his girlfriend Genevieve; but then Thomas moves into the neighborhood, and everything Aaron thinks he knows is called into question.
Why it’s a good summer read: The stifling heat of summers in the Bronx is captured so well in these pages. Though it starts out slow, this is ultimately a compelling story with believable and sympathetic characters. I read this in my garden on a hot summer day, and it was the perfect atmosphere to complement the evocative setting of this novel.
Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller
The one sentence summary: Ingrid has been missing for years, presumed dead; but little does her family know she’s actually left a series of letters behind, chronicling the years and then months leading up to her disappearance.
Why it’s a good summer read: This is another one that takes place by a beach, but it’s the addicting prose and refreshing storyline that makes this the perfect summer vacation book. Though the mystery is compelling, it’s really the characters and the family dynamic that make up the meat of this story, so this is recommended to anyone looking to unwind with a quiet sort of family-driven literary contemporary.
The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman
The one sentence summary: Two mothers (sisters by marriage) give birth on the same night in the same house, and they come to an agreement which ends up having indelible consequences on their lives.
Why it’s a good summer read: This addicting family saga of a novel will keep you turning pages, even well after you’ve figured out the twist. Short and sweet and and unexpectedly emotional ride, this is the perfect book for anyone looking for a compelling and unique family drama to devour in one sitting on your holidays.
So what are your favorite summer reads? Have you read any of these books? Comment and let me know!
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