Easy Ways to Pick Your Next Summer Read
Summer reads have a special kind of magic. They’re the perfect kind of books to enjoy with your toes in the sand, sunglasses or a cold drink. It’s not about genre or publication date. It’s more about a vibe that lets you escape through easy reading without the need to write down vocabulary words or pause midchapter to process what you’ve read.
The key ingredients of a perfect summer read are high readability, sensory immersion, transportive journeys and feel-good page-turning plots. These books handle heavy topics deftly and lean into the joy and intrigue of storytelling. Summer reads are the equivalent of a pool party on a hot day: fun, refreshing, relaxing and entirely consuming. Here are five easy ways to pick your perfect summer read.
1. Pick by Setting: Transportive & Exotic Locations
Sometimes, the easiest way to escape is to let the setting do the heavy lifting. Summer books often feature evocative, vacation-friendly backdrops that serve as another character in the story. For some reading ideas, check out our Travel Through Fiction Guide featuring novels set in exotic destinations.
- Coastal Escapes: Summer reads are often set in beachy locations from Cape Cod and Nantucket to the sun-drenched coastlines of the Carolinas.
- International Jet-Setting: Stories may whisk you away to a villa in Italy, a bustling market in Mumbai or a sun-drenched Greek island.
- The Takeaway: Look for books where the atmosphere is so thick you can practically smell the salt air or taste the local cuisine.
2. Pick by Author: The Beach Read Royalty
When you want to push through a reading slump or take a break from heavier, more serious novels, lean on authors with a proven track record for writing high-hook, fast-paced beach reads and contemporary fiction. Start with these popular authors, or check out the "Also Bought" or "Similar Authors" sections for more recommendations in a similar vein.
- Elin Hilderbrand, the undisputed queen of the Nantucket beach read
- Emily Henry, whose titles like Beach Read and Happy Place are great for witty, emotionally resonant contemporary romance
- Carley Fortune, a top choice for for nostalgic, lakeside summer dramas
- Jennifer Weiner, known for rom-coms and dramas with a coastal vibe
- Abby Jimenez, for humorous romance plots with Midwestern charm (our Modern Romantic readers give Just for the Summer 4.75 out of 5 stars!)
3. Pick by Nostalgia: Classics and Old Favorites
Summer is a great time to relax, unwind and save your precious brain power by rereading classic novels and old favorites that let you enjoy the story for the story. They may remind you why you fell in love with them in the first place, or you may discover new nuances in the plot that you never noticed before.
- The Comfort Re-Read: Dust off a favorite childhood series like Harry Potter, C.S. Lewis or a beloved fantasy world to experience that cozy, familiar magic all over again.
- The Accessible Classic: Revisit a short, atmospheric classic like The Great Gatsby or The Talented Mr. Ripley. The glamorous summer parties are the perfect match for poolside reading.
- The Takeaway: If choosing one of the countless new releases feels overwhelming, look backward to a book you already know and love.
4. Pick by Genre: High Intrigue & Light Hearts
Summer book genres and beach reads generally prioritize high engagement and addictive pacing so you can remain focused but relaxed. Bring on the short chapters and easy-to-read prose that keep you turning and turning the pages. Here are a few of the top genres to consider.
- Rom-Coms & Contemporary Romance: Look for tiles with high-energy, witty banter and satisfying emotional payoffs.
- Dark Comedies & Popcorn Thrillers: Cozy mysteries and light thrillers with intrigue, juicy secrets and betrayal are perfect for readers who want an edge of suspense without getting bogged down in the plot.
- Cozy Fantasy: Low-stakes, highly imaginative worlds offer pure, comforting escapism that will transport you to another world.
- The Takeaway: Swap dense, slow-burning historical tomes and heavy fiction like Dostoevsky for genres that thrive on momentum.
5. Pick by Vibe: Match Your Summer Routine
The final secret to choosing the perfect book is matching what you’re doing and how you’re feeling. You may want different books if you’re working in the garden, traveling on a long flight or just relaxing in the backyard or in the air conditioning. Here are a few ideas.
- Poolside/Beach Companion: Choose short stories, a breezy rom-com or an episodic contemporary novel that you can easily put down and pick right up.
- Travel/Flight Page-Turner: Traveling on a long-haul flight? Opt for a high-stakes thriller or a juicy drama a la Freida McFadden that will beat any in-flight movie.
- Hands-Free Read: If you’re taking a kayak trip, revamping your garden or working outside or around the house, swap your paperback for a gripping audiobook to enjoy some hands-free listening.
- The Takeaway: Be honest about where you’ll be reading. A bestselling thriller set in the Arctic Circle probably isn’t the best fit for your next beach vacation or getaway in the mountains.
When it comes to summer reading lists, there’s no shortage of ideas! By now you probably already have a few titles in mind. If not, explore our Summer New Releases for Beach Readers, or join our Beach Reader Reading Challenge.