Some people, myself included, find reading outside in the sunshine to be the peak time to crack open a book. Depending on whether you’re more of a sit-on-a-beach-and-read person or a stay-inside-in-the-cool-AC person, I’ve found books that will suit every kind of summer enjoyer!
If your TBR is stacked and you’re unsure what your next summer read should be—let me be your guide. A lot can be said about how you spend your summer days, even what kind of book you could be interested in.
1. Swimming
Now, if you’ve read this book, you might be asking: is this really a book for people who love swimming? And I understand the confusion. Jade Song’s Chlorine is a book that explores the life of a high school swimmer, Ren Yu, and how her obsession with perfection dissolves her psyche.
It dives into themes of troubled parental relationships, toxic sapphic romance, and body issues. And by body issues, I truly mean issues. The book goes from a normal dissection into high school turbulence and insecurities into straight-up body horror—all against the backdrop of swimming.
So, sure, perhaps this book also works for those who hate swimming, the pressures and expectations of a swim team. But above all, this book is a love letter to the sport. Ren loves swimming, but the circumstances that push her to be better also push her to be something a bit less human. Spanning multiple genres and displaying a wide array of high school emotions, this book is a thrilling read from start to finish.
2. Gardening
Robin Wall Kimmerer is no new author to anyone in the BookTok scene. Her widely successful book, Braiding Sweetgrass, is a heartfelt nonfiction essay collection that weaves her experiences as a Potawatomi woman, mother, and scientist into insights about the world around us. And while I recommend giving Braiding Sweetgrass a read, The Serviceberry is a perfect introduction to her writing style.
If you are a gardener who enjoys time outdoors with nature, her books are a must-read. Not only do they provide factual knowledge about plants, but they also explore the deeper relationship humans have with nature. The serviceberry is a real berry that provides for its ecological community. Kimmerer uses this as a metaphor for giving to one’s community, the ethics of reciprocity, and valuing wealth in terms of relationships rather than physical objects.
I’d argue this book is for everyone, but certainly this is for those who enjoy caring for nature in their own community.
3. Camping
Camping is equally about enjoying nature as it is about sitting around a campfire and telling scary stories. S’mores included.
The Troop is a camping trip gone wrong. A Boy Scout troop led by their scoutmaster is having their usual annual camping trip on a nearby island. The group is a mixed bag of personalities, all of which are intensifying as tensions rise. When a sick, starving man floats by boat onto their island, they all have varying ideas about how they should handle this.
Part parasitic zombie and part Lord of the Flies, this book is as disgusting for its horrific imagery as it is for the personalities the boys morph into.
And if you are a reader who wants answers on how the horror comes into play—fret not. Cutter includes excerpts on how the zombie-like virus emerged and how the world is trying to manage it. For campers who like a little fright while out in the wild, The Troop is a must-read horror novel.
4. Aquarium
Another nonfiction on the list, How Far the Light Reaches, is for those who like to take their time wandering in the dim, ocean-blue light of an aquarium.
Sabrina Imbler brings to us an essay collection on watery creatures, intertwining their livelihoods and survival tactics with our own. Crabs finding warmth in the earth’s core, mother octopi starving themselves for their babies, and jellyfish used as metaphors for mental health are just a few of the essays you’ll find here.
As informative on marine biology as it is about the human experience, this book is a gem in the world of nonfiction. Not to mention, this is one of the best covers of books I’ve read personally.
Hitting on themes like family dynamics, being queer, and trying to form community, How Far the Light Reaches is as emotional as it is informative. This is a perfect book for those who want to slow down and reflect in the cool of an aquarium.
5. Zoo
Now, on the flip side, some people enjoy spending their time in the bright sun, watching and learning about wild animals. Zoos are all about experiencing animals’ natural habits, and the right zoos focus on rehabilitation. This book, while not centered on zoos, is certainly fixated on the treatment of a particular mountain lion.
What makes this book different is that it is narrated from the mountain lion’s perspective. And readers find out that this creature is not just focused on survival, but also on his own emotional needs.
Since it is written from the creature’s perspective, the sentences are short and to the point. As the mountain lion watches the world around him pass by, he reflects on his own identity, the human housing crisis, and the environmental issues that affect him.
Ironically, despite being told from the lion’s perspective, this book is as fixated on the human condition as on the environmental crisis of pollution. Open Throat is a perfect read for anyone who wants a fast-paced, unique plot centered on animals.
6. Beach day
To me, nothing is better in the summer than a day in the sand with a good book in tow. And if the cover doesn’t give it away, the author certainly does—this book is made for the beach-day girlies (‘girlies’, of course, being gender-neutral).
Taylor Jenkins Reid writes some of the most chronically readable books ever. From Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo to Daisy Jones and the Six, Reid has a way of writing realistic characters in fun, famous settings.
Malibu Rising is no different. Fixated on a renowned family, the book explores three siblings and their attitudes toward fame and their family. And like any sibling dynamic, they all feel differently about how they were raised, how they were listened to or ignored, and where their place resides in the family now.
The book takes place in a single day, counting down the hours until the big bash. It’s fast-paced and emotional, exposing the secrets a family of fame tries desperately to hold on to. This is a book that throws you into the sun and sand of Malibu, and will oddly leave you feeling as heartbroken as you feel warm. If I could go back, I would love to experience this plot for the first time by the ocean. And if you haven’t given Malibu Rising a read yet, I highly advise that’s how you enjoy this Reidverse staple.
7. Staying inside
I spent a long time thinking of what a good ‘staying inside’ book would be. For some reason, this prompt was a struggle. And then it hit me: Sci Fi. The cool of space, the loneliness of being by yourself, is equal parts fulfilling and empty. And if you’re anything like me, speculative sci-fi hits the spot for a quiet, reflective day.
Emily St. John Mandel is best known for her apocalyptic King Lear-centered novel, Station Eleven. And while most find that to be her best work, I had found myself infatuated with Sea of Tranquillity.
The quiet book reflects on a variety of lives spanning an array of timelines, all against the backdrop of plagues. So yes, you could technically call this a Covid book—but that would be selling it short. It touches on the awful isolation we all experienced during Covid, but it expands upon that and delves into the importance of connection.
Did I mention this book is also about time travel? From the 1800s to the distant future, Mandel’s portrayal of humanity makes this sci-fi feel realistic. One of my favorite books ever, this book fits the bill for a quiet read in the cool of home.
Read these books while the summer’s still hot!
Summer, to me, is the perfect season for reading. The days are long enough to sit outside and finish up the last chapters of your favorite books. So if you feel yourself stuck on what to reach for next, why not let your favorite outdoor hobby decide? Just be sure to pack some bug spray and a lot of sunscreen!
