the boring things summer reading list: a book for every mood
the ultimate summer reading list and my personal (tentative) summer TBR
if there’s one thing i love, it’s reading seasonally. it really does help me romanticize my life so much, grounding me in the current moment in time. stories centered around whimsical forests and lush gardens in the spring time, oppressive heat and sun soaked coastal beauty for summer, spooky, dark and academic for fall, and snow covered scenes for the winter. it sounds obvious, but picking books that embody each season really does blend the real world with the book world, like the story is unfolding all around you.
in the summertime, i tend to crave a few different genres of books. i really gravitate towards certain classics in the summer—ones set against the heat and glow of the summertime. then of course, there are summer beach read romances. perfect for lighthearted sunny reading. i also go through a little summerween phase in the summer, craving books that embody a very specific summer camp slasher feel (not just any horror will do, it has to feel specifically summerween).
the goal with this summer reading list is not that you’ll read every single pick, but rather to give you a broad selection of books to pull from and add to your own summer reading list, depending what reading mood you fall into. without further ado, lets get into it!
classics & ancient lit
there is nothing like a classic to read in the summer. with the slow syrupy days and (at times) oppressive heat, it feels like the perfect season to dive into carefully written prose. there's something about reading a substantial novel while sitting outdoors, traveling, or slowing down that feels connected to the season. like instead of rushing through, these books seem to ask us to slow down, carry them throughout the season and really soak them in.
i think there are classics for every season, but in the summer i gravitate towards stories where the landscape reflects the mood in the book. books that focus on coming of age, being between one life stage and the next, the way summer often feels. i also love books that mix leisure and idleness with heat and passion. so many classics really paint the picture of an old summer in my mind.
lonesome dove by larry mccurdy
lonesome dove is often revered as the greatest western book ever written. it follows two aging texas rangers embarking on one last adventure. it’s a love story, an adventure, and “the grandest novel ever written about the last defiant wilderness of america.”“richly authentic, beautifully written, always dramatic, lonesome dove is a book to make us laugh, weep, dream, and remember.”
east of eden by john steinbeck
east of eden is a sweeping family saga set in california's salinas valley, following generations whose lives are shaped by love, ambition, rivalry, and the struggle between good and evil. family history echoes the biblical stories of adam and eve and the conflict between cain and abel. east of eden is richly drawn and deeply human.to kill a mockingbird by harper lee
tender, wise, and deeply affecting, to kill a mockingbird captures a childhood in the deep south, on the cusp of awakening, where moments of innocence exist alongside injustice. where ordinary people are tested by questions of truth, compassion, and integrity.crime and punishment by fyodor dostoevsky
set on a blistering hot july day, crime and punishment follows rodion raskolnikov, a struggling former student in st. petersburg who commits a murder and becomes consumed by guilt, paranoia, and moral conflict. as he wrestles with the consequences of his actions, the novel explores questions of justice, redemption, and human nature. considered one of the great classics of psychological fiction.the great gatsby by f. scott fitzgerald
this book exudes leisure, heat and passion. set in long island during the roaring 20’s, the great gatsby is a haunting tale of love, ambition, and the elusive nature of the american dream, where hope and illusion become impossible to separate.
the adventures of tom sawyer & the adventures of huckleberry finn by mark twain
tom sawyer is tale of boyhood, freedom, and adventure along the banks of the mississippi river. filled with mischief, imagination, and youthful rebellion, it captures the joys of childhood while revealing the deeper complexities of friendship, courage, and growing up. sweeping through the rivers, towns, and backwaters of the american south, huckleberry finn is a vivid story of escape and adventure, where the promise of freedom is never far from the realities of a divided world.the talented mr. ripley by patricia highsmith
in a sun-drenched world of wealth and effortless privilege, the talented mr. ripley traces the unsettling rise of a young outsider who finds himself irresistibly drawn to a life that is not his own. what begins as fascination slowly hardens into something far more dangerous, as identity becomes increasingly fluid and truth harder to hold onto.rebecca by daphne du maurier
rebecca is a haunting, atmospheric tale of love, memory, and identity set against the brooding beauty of a grand coastal estate. when a young, unnamed bride enters her new life at manderley, she finds herself living in the shadow of her husband’s first wife—a woman whose presence seems to linger in every room, every silence, and every gaze.the virgin suicides by jeffrey eugenides
told through the memories of those who once observed them from afar, the virgin suicides traces the brief, luminous lives of five sisters whose presence lingers like a fading summer—intensely felt, imperfectly understood, and impossible to forget.
dandelion wine ray bradbury
i think the goodreads blurb says it best: the summer of '28 was a vintage season for a growing boy. a summer of green apple trees, mowed lawns, and new sneakers. of half-burnt firecrackers, of gathering dandelions, of grandma's belly-busting dinner. it was a summer of sorrows and marvels and gold-fuzzed bees. a magical, timeless summer in the life of a twelve-year-old boy named douglas spaulding.
ancient classics:
the republic — plato
presented in the form of a dialogue between socrates and three different interlocutors, this classic text is an enquiry into the notion of a perfect community and the ideal individual within it.
the iliad and the odyssey — homer
the iliad is an ancient greek epic poem that details a few pivotal weeks during the tenth and final year of the trojan war. it primarily focuses on the devastating wrath of the greek warrior achilles, which is triggered when king agamemnon dishonors him by seizing his war prize. the odyssey is an ancient epic of journey and return, following a hero’s long and perilous voyage home after war, where every shore brings new trials, temptations, and wonders. across seas filled with gods, monsters, and mortal trials, it explores longing, endurance, and the enduring pull of home.
summer romance
if you’re in the mood for something a little more lighthearted, summer is the season for romance. think: finding the perfect beach read to take on vacation. i find romance books perfectly mirror the feeling of the season itself—open, warm, and full of possibility. long days and slower routines make it easier to sink into stories about fleeting connections, first loves, and moments that feel like they might only exist for a short time. there’s something about summer where places feel temporary, and emotions can seem more intense or immediate—the perfect backdrop to turn up the heat for a steamy, passionate romance.
every summer after by carley fortune
carley fortune is the queen of summer romance, especially as a canadian girl. every summer after is a nostalgic, emotionally charged romance that moves between sun-drenched summers at a lakeside town and the quiet weight of the years that follow. It traces a long-buried connection between two people whose lives keep circling back to one another, shaped by memory, missed chances, and the kind of love that never fully fades.
more carley fortune: this summer will be different, one golden summer, meet me at the lake, our perfect storm
her books perfectly encapsulate that warm, summertime feeling. i’m specifically interested in reading this summer will be different because it’s set on prince edward island, a place i’ve visited for many summer road trips.beach read by emily henry
our other summer beach read queen, you can’t go wrong with emily henry for a good summer romance. beach read is an emotionally layered romance that brings together two very different writers who find themselves spending a summer in neighbouring lakeside cottages. as they challenge each other to step outside their usual stories, what begins as rivalry slowly unravels into something more complicated—forcing both to confront grief, love, and the narratives they’ve built around themselves.more emily henry: the people we meet on vacation, happy place, book lovers, great big beautiful life, you and me on vacation
just for the summer by abby jimenez
just for the summer follows two people who strike up an unusual agreement to break a shared streak of failed relationships by dating each other for a single summer. what begins as a lighthearted plan in a lakeside setting slowly deepens into something more complicated, as both are forced to confront past wounds, unexpected feelings, and the possibility that temporary might not be enough.the summer i turned pretty by jenny han
this one is ya, so while not so steamy, it’s a perfect book to really settle into that east coast/ new england summer feeling. the summer i turned pretty is a coming-of-age romance that unfolds over a series of summers at a beloved beach house, where childhood friendships begin to shift and first love becomes impossible to ignore.wild love by elsie silver
elsie silver is the queen of small town out west romance. wild love is the first of the rose hill series of books taking place in rose hill, an idyllic little town in the canadian rockies. set against the backdrop of a picturesque lakeside community, wild love follows two people whose history is impossible to ignore as old feelings resurface, new responsibilities emerge, and the line between friendship and something deeper becomes harder to resist.i definitely recommend any of elsie silvers series for a small town romance feel, perfect to pack with you to the cottage.
star crossed summer by devon daniels
i was instantly sold on this book when i learned about it’s backstory. this is a fictionalization of the romance between rachel mcadams and ryan gosling while filming the notebook. ‘legend’ has it, they hated eachother on set, and locked themselves in a room to have it out, and eventually they ended up dating. hello?! i need all the details.
summer fiction
if you’re in the mood for something that seems to transcend genres, that’s what this section is for. books that give you that summer feeling and so much more. not all of these are necessarily set specifically in the summer, or some take place over seasons and years, but they all feel fit for reading on a hot summer day.
we were liars by e. lockhart
don’t count this out just because its ya. the first time i read this book, i sat down on my porch at my old apartment, and read the entire thing in a day. between the beautiful descriptions of the little new england island called beechwood, and the family trouble, friendship, and first love that takes place there, this is a summer must read. we were liars is an atmospheric novel set on a private island where one privileged family spends their summers. as memories begin to surface and long-buried truths come into focus, what starts as a story of friendship, first love, and family loyalty gradually reveals something far more complex.broken country by leslie hall
broken country is a sweeping, emotionally charged story of first love, loss, and the choices that echo across a lifetime. set in the english countryside, it weaves together passion, family secrets, and the weight of the past as old wounds resurface and long-buried truths threaten to unravel everything. part love story, part mystery, it explores how a single summer—and a single choice—can shape the course of an entire life.malibu rising by taylor jenkins reid
malibu rising is a captivating family drama set against the glittering backdrop of 1980s malibu, where a legendary end-of-summer party brings long-buried secrets, old wounds, and complicated relationships to the surface. sweeping across generations, it explores fame, family, love, and the choices that shape who we become, all over the course of one unforgettable night.my friends by fredrik backman
my friends is a moving story of friendship, art, and the moments that shape us forever. weaving between a transformative summer spent by the sea and the years that follow, it explores the bonds that sustain us through hardship and the ways a single season can echo across a lifetime. tender, funny, and deeply heartfelt, it is a celebration of connection, memory, and the people who change us.james by percival everett
james is a reimagining of adventures of huckleberry finn—both harrowing and satirical—told from the enslaved jim's point of view. by turns adventurous, heartbreaking, and sharply insightful, it follows a journey through a world shaped by violence, prejudice, and the search for freedom, while exploring the stories we tell—and the truths that have been left untold.the lost summers of newport by beatriz williams
the lost summers of newport is a sweeping historical drama set among the grand summer mansions of newport, rhode island, where generations of secrets linger behind gilded walls. moving between three women across more than a century, it weaves together romance, ambition, family legacy, and long-buried mysteries as the past slowly resurfaces to reshape the presentmy brilliant friend by elena ferrante
my brilliant friend is an intimate, sweeping, multi-decade coming-of-age story. it follows two girls who grow up side by side, yet seem destined for very different futures. as childhood gives way to adolescence, their bond becomes both a source of devotion and rivalry, shaped by ambition, class, and the desire to escape the world they were born into.28 summers by elin hilderbrand
28 summers is a sweeping, emotionally charged summer romance that unfolds over decades of fleeting weekends on nantucket, where two lives repeatedly collide against the backdrop of sunlit shores, shifting seasons, and the passage of time. tender and bittersweet, it explores love that is impossible to fully claim, the choices that shape a lifetime, and the way one summer can echo forever.
swan song by elin hilderbrand
swan song is a sweeping, atmospheric summer drama set on nantucket, where wealth, status, and long-held social codes are disrupted by the arrival of a magnetic new couple. as glittering parties spill from shore to sea and the island’s tightly woven community begins to fracture, secrets, scandals, and shifting loyalties come to the surface over the course of one unforgettable summer.i also need to reccomend literally any elin hilderbrand book. most of her novels are set on nantucket with beaches, boats, weddings, family reunions, and long stretches of time that feel separate from everyday life. that setting gives her stories a naturally sun-drenched, vacation-like backdrop, even when the plot turns heavy, dramatic, or messy. i think her books are all perfect for that summer feel, you can pick one depending on what plot interests you most.
somebody else’s summer by jean little — a nostalgic young readers pick
this one is more specifically for me. i remember reading somebody else’s summer in the summer when i was like 7 or 8, and it stuck with me. i think it was the book that made me realize i love seasonal reading, even before i recognized that fully. this is kind of like a canadian version of the parent trap, where two girls meet on a flight and decide to switch places for the summer. it’s so warm and cozy, i just repurchased so i can read it again (my original copy is long gone, unfortunately).
summerween
this one is for the autumn people. for the ones who crave the smell of woodsmoke and the sound of crunching leaves the second the weather gets warm. summerween is one of the coziest summer aesthetics for me, but these books have to hit a very specific feel—think summer camp slasher, carnivals, stranger things, etc. not full blown autumnal, halloween vibes.
slasher summer by e. l. chen
this book is described as “a campy love letter to the slasher films of the 1980s, seven friends reunite for a weekend of fun—only to be hunted down by a cold-blooded killer.”, and what could be more perfect for summerween than that? as nostalgia curdles into paranoia, the weekend retreat becomes a game of survival where old roles, buried secrets, and genre expectations turn deadly.it by stephen king
probably the quintessential summerween read. set in the small town of derry, maine, a big part of the story takes place over the long, drifting summer months where town’s kids have freedom, unsupervised time, and endless days to wander. that stretch of childhood summer—bike rides, swimming holes, storm drains, and empty streets—is exactly what the novel builds its sense of nostalgia and dread around.my best friends exorcism by grady hendrix
my best friend’s exorcism is a nostalgic, darkly funny horror story that begins in the glow of teenage summers—sleepovers, lake nights, mixtapes, and the kind of friendship that feels unbreakable. but as strange changes begin to creep in, that sun-soaked coming-of-age world slowly twists into something far more unsettling, where loyalty is tested and something sinister hides just beneath the surface of suburbia.joyland by stephen king
joyland is a nostalgic, atmospheric coming-of-age mystery set in a fading seaside amusement park, where a summer job pulls a young man into a world of carnival lights, hidden grief, and lingering ghosts. as he settles into the rhythms of the park—summer crowds, boardwalk heat, and whispered legends—he becomes entangled in a long-unsolved crime that refuses to stay buried. equal parts tender and eerie, it captures that “summerween” feeling of bright, sunlit days shadowed by something quietly haunting beneath the surface.lights out (and other fear street books) by r. l stein
i definitely recommend the fear street books for summerween vibes—they’re what inspired the fear street netflix films. i picked lights out because it’s set at a summer camp where something is clearly going wrong beneath the surface of campfires, friendships, and late-night whispers in the woods. as strange vandalism escalates and a chilling presence begins to close in, a junior counselor is pulled into a dangerous search for the truth before the camp’s secrets turn deadly.
my heart is a chainsaw by stephen graham jones
my heart is a chainsaw is a sharp, self-aware slasher story set in a fading lakeside town where summer heat, teenage isolation, and horror-movie obsession begin to blur into something dangerously real. as a lonely outcast fixated on the rules of classic horror films becomes convinced that something sinister is unfolding around her, the line between story and reality starts to collapse—turning a quiet resort town into the stage for something far more unsettling.
tourist season by brynne weaver
tourist season is a dark enemies-to-lovers story set in a seaside town where summer brings tourists, secrets, and a growing body count. as two people tied together by revenge, violence, and buried pasts collide in cape carnage, their uneasy alliance slowly turns into obsession. sun-drenched days and glittering coastal charm mask something far more dangerous beneath the surface, where love and survival become impossible to separate. the second book of this series just came out in june!summer of night by dan simmons
summer of night is set in the summer of 1960 in the small town of elm haven, where five boys spend their last days of childhood forming bonds that will define the rest of their lives. but when a classmate disappears and strange, unsettling events begin to multiply around town, their long summer of freedom turns into something far more dangerous. as the mystery deepens and an ancient evil begins to surface, the boys realize their summer has become a fight to uncover the truth before it’s too late.the god of the woods by liz moore
while more of a mystery thriller, i wanted to include it here because of the camp setting. the god of the woods is a tense, atmospheric mystery set in an isolated summer camp where the disappearance of a wealthy family’s daughter echoes an older tragedy that never fully resolved. as search efforts spread through the surrounding forest and tensions rise between the camp, the estate, and the nearby town, long-buried secrets begin to surface. layered and immersive, it captures a summer that feels both expansive and claustrophobic, where the woods seem to hold onto everything that has been lost.
domestic thriller
if summer makes you think of picturesque neighbourhoods with something darker going on, block parties where hostility bubbles under the surface of polite smiles, and secrets travel like flies, i have you covered. i love a domestic thriller any time of year; they’re my go-to to get me out of a reading slump, and thankfully there are so many to choose from you can find one for any season or reading mood. these are my summer picks:
such a quiet place by megan miranda
this book takes place during a suffocating, sweltering summer in the idyllic community of hollow’s edge. it’s a neighbourhood where everyone knows everyone’s business—and no one can truly escape the past. when a convicted murderer is released and returns to live on the same street where the original crime took place, long-buried suspicions, shifting alliances, and hidden truths begin to surface.on a quiet street by seraphina nova glass
on a quiet street is a tense, atmospheric psychological thriller set in a seemingly perfect lakeside oregon suburban neighbourhood, surrounded by big trees. as a grieving mother, a suspicious neighbour, and a reclusive woman each become entangled in one another’s lives, long-buried secrets, fractured relationships, and hidden dangers begin to surface, turning an ordinary street into a place where no one can be fully trusted and nothing is quite as quiet as it seems.the block party by jaime day
the block party is a twisty, suburban mystery set in an exclusive neighbourhood where polished lawns, polite smiles, and summer gatherings hide a growing web of secrets. when the annual block party ends in murder, the story winds backward through a year of rivalries, betrayals, and buried tensions, slowly revealing how a seemingly perfect community begins to unravel from the inside out over one unforgettable summer.the perfect couple by elin hilderbrand
another elin hilderbrand, but this one comes with more of a twist. the perfect couple is a tense, sun-drenched summer mystery set on nantucket, where a lavish wedding at a coastal estate is shattered by a sudden death that exposes the cracks beneath picture-perfect lives. as the investigation unfolds over the course of a single high-society weekend, long-held secrets, shifting loyalties, and hidden resentments begin to surface, turning a dream celebration into something far more unsettling.a death at the party by amy stuart
a death at the party is a locked-room style mystery set during a glamorous summer gathering in the English countryside, where a celebration meant to be joyful is quickly overshadowed by a shocking death. as guests become suspects and long-buried tensions rise to the surface, the story unravels a web of secrets, shifting alliances, and hidden motives, turning a single evening into a tightly wound investigation where no one can be fully trusted.the last time i lied riley sager
the last time i lied is a twisty psychological thriller set at a secluded summer camp, where a woman returns years after the disappearance of her three cabinmates to uncover what really happened that night. as old memories resurface and new secrets begin to surface among the camp’s shadowed cabins and wooded paths, the line between truth and deception starts to blur, turning a long-ago summer into something far more dangerous and unresolved.
fantasy
i’m a huge fantasy lover, honestly it’s one of my favourite genres. i love getting lost into new worlds so different from our own. i actually had a hard time finding many super summery fantasy books, but i picked ones that rely on warm temperatures, oceanic settings, pirates and sirens to really paint the picture and feeling of summer.
trial of the sun queen by nisha j. tuli
“ten women. a deadly contest. only one can win the sun king's heart.” most of the story is set in a harsh, sun-drenched kingdom where a young woman is thrust into a deadly royal competition where survival depends on wit, alliances are fragile, and every trial could be her last. as she fights through brutal challenges and uncovers long-buried truths about her past, she’s drawn deeper into a world of power, secrets, and dangerous attraction that could reshape her entire fate.
to kill a kingdom by alexandra christo
this is a dark, sea-soaked fantasy retelling of the siren myth, where a ruthless siren princess is forced to walk on land and confront the world of humans she was trained to destroy. when she’s paired with a prince on a dangerous quest, the line between predator and ally begins to blur, forcing both of them to question loyalty, identity, and what it means to be a monster.metal slinger by rachel schneider
metal slinger is a sweeping romantasy about a young woman raised among a seafaring exiled people who finally steps onto land during a fragile annual truce—only to trigger a chain of events that unravels everything she thought she knew about her identity, her loyalties, and the world she belongs to.the adventures of amina al-sirafi by shannon chakraborty
a retired legendary pirate is forced back into the dangerous world she left behind in the adventures of amina al-sirafi, where djinn, sea monsters, and forgotten debts pull her into one last impossible voyage. as she gathers an unlikely crew and old secrets resurface, the journey becomes less about treasure and more about survival, loyalty, and the cost of the life she tried to escape.the house in the cerulean sea by t. j. klune
the house in the cerulean sea is about a quiet caseworker sent to a remote island orphanage to assess six extraordinary magical children and determine whether they pose a danger to the world. what he finds instead is an unlikely found family, a kind caretaker, and a life that challenges everything he thought he knew about duty, fear, and belonging.summers at castle auburn by sharon shinn
summers at castle auburn is a coming-of-age fantasy about an illegitimate noble girl who splits her life between her grandmother’s village home and summers at a royal castle with her half-sister. as she grows up, she starts to see the darker truths behind court life, love, and the enslaved fae-like aliora, forcing her to choose between comfort and doing what’s right.a prince among pirates by katie abdou
a prince among pirates is a light, swashbuckling queer pirate romance about an aristocratic boy who runs away from an arranged marriage and accidentally ends up joining a pirate crew without realizing it. as he settles into life at sea, he discovers a chaotic found family, hidden political schemes, and a slow-burn romance with the ship’s captain while figuring out who he really wants to be.
non-fiction
now listen, i’m usually not a non-fiction girl at all—i never read non-fiction. but this year, i’ve challenged myself to read outside of my usual genres, and i really want to explore more of what non-fiction has to offer. i think i often thought of this genre as strictly self-help, but i love history and real life mysteries, so i rounded up a few that feel fit for summer.
dinner with king tut by sam kean
dinner with king tut explores history through experimental archaeology, where researchers recreate ancient life to better understand it. from food to tools to ancient technologies, the book brings past civilizations to life through hands-on experiments. it’s a vivid, accessible blend of science and storytelling. and i think egyptology feels perfect for the summer.
a marriage at sea by sophie elmhirst
a marriage at sea tells the true story of maurice and maralyn bailey, a couple who set sail for adventure and ended up surviving 118 days adrift in the pacific after their boat is destroyed by a whale. stranded with minimal supplies, they must fight hunger, storms, and each other to stay alive. it’s a gripping survival story that doubles as an intimate look at marriage under extreme pressure.
on the hippie trail by richard clayton
on the hippie trail follows the legendary overland route from europe to asia that defined 1960s–70s counterculture travel. blending history and personal accounts, it explores the freedom, chaos, and cultural collisions of the backpackers who made the journey. it’s a snapshot of a vanished era of long, unstructured adventure.midnight in the garden of good and evil by john berendt
“shots rang out in savannah's grandest mansion in the misty, early morning hours of may 2, 1981. was it murder or self-defence? for nearly a decade, the shooting and its aftermath reverberated throughout this city of moss-hung oaks and shaded squares.” this is a true crime narrative that reads like a fiction, centered on the murder trial of antiques dealer jim williams. the book blends eccentric local characters, southern gothic atmosphere, and courtroom drama into a vivid portrait of the city. it reads as both a mystery and an immersive slice of real-life southern culture.
1968: the year that rocked the world by mark kurlansky
1968 by mark kurlansky is a wide-ranging look at one of the most turbulent years of the 20th century. it traces global political upheaval, protests, cultural change, and key historical events that shaped modern society. the book connects movements across countries to show how 1968 became a turning point in world history.south to america by imani perry
south to america is a travel memoir and cultural history of the american south. through essays and journeys across southern states, perry explores the region’s history of slavery, resistance, creativity, and identity. the book connects personal reflection with history to examine how the south has shaped the united states as a whole.liliana’s invincible summer by cristina rivera garza is a memoir about the 1990 murder of the author’s sister, liliana, by her ex-boyfriend in mexico. decades later, rivera garza investigates the unresolved case, piecing together letters, testimonies, and memories to reconstruct liliana’s life. it’s both a personal act of mourning and an examination of femicide and systemic injustice.
a walk in the woods by bill bryson
a walk in the woods is a lighthearted, travel-style memoir about the author attempting to hike the appalachian trail from georgia to maine with an old friend. along the way, he runs into tough terrain, unpredictable weather, and plenty of chaotic mishaps. it’s a light, entertaining take on wilderness adventure and the reality of long-distance hiking.empire of the summer moon by s.c. gwynne
empire of the summer moon is a sweeping historical nonfiction account of the rise and fall of the comanche empire in the american west. it focuses on the decades-long conflict between comanches and settlers, especially the story of quanah parker and his family. the book blends biography and military history to show how the comanches shaped—and were ultimately overtaken by—westward expansion.
the emerald mile by kevin fedarko
a true story about a record-breaking boat run through the grand canyon on the colorado river during a massive flood in 1983. the emerald mile follows river runners, dam workers, and historians as they navigate danger, water, and competing visions of the canyon. the book combines adventure, history, and environmental storytelling set in one of america’s most dramatic landscapes.
my personal list of picks:
as much as i’d love to be able to read each and every one of these books, it’s just not entirely realistic for me personally. so, i wanted to share the tentative list of books i will be reading myself this summer. (i say tentative because as a mood reader i’m constantly shifting what i want to read). may have a few review for you coming in over the summer scattered through my posts!
my classics picks:
finishing east of eden
lonesome dove
to kill a mockingbird
my romance picks:
every summer after
star crossed summer
my fiction picks:
somebody else’s summer (this will be one i read in a single afternoon)
james
we were liars (a yearly summer re-read)
my summerween picks:
it
slasher summer
my best friends exorcism
my thriller picks:
the last time i lied
the block party
my fantasy picks:
to kill a kingdom
the adventures of amina al-sirafi
finishing my throne of glass read (not a summer book, but i need that and crescent city for october when the new a court of thorns and roses book is out)
my non-fiction pick:
midnight in the garden of good and evil
i hope you found a book or two to add to your reading list this summer. i really tried to include a little something for everyone, while staying true to what i love to read over the summer. as a mood reader whose vibes change with the wind, i’m so excited to have this little list as a resource to come back to and pull from when i want to pick my next book. save it, return to it over the summer as your moods change and the world changes around you.
with love, kyla
ps. what books have made it onto your summer tbr?
keep reading boring things:
Thanks for the recommendations!! I added these to my summer tbr: we were liars (omg I need to reread I read this in high school), the lost summers of newport, the god of the woods, the trial of the sun queen (have had this one forever and just haven’t picked it up?), to kill a kingdom (another reread for me), dinner with king tut, and midnight in the garden of good and evil!