18 Books To Add To Your Summer Reading List (2024)

One Italian Summer – Rebecca Serle

If you’re looking to be mentally transported to a different part of the world, One Italian Summer needs to be on your reading list. I read this last summer before travelling to Italy and it had all the makings of the perfect beach read, in my opinion.

The story takes place on the Amalfi Coast, has a little bit of romance, there are descriptions of delicious Italian food and drinks – trust me, it’s a vibe. One Italian Summer is contemporary fiction with a bit of magical realism woven in and covers topics like grief and identity in a thoughtful and unique way. The audiobook is narrated by Lauren Graham, and I’ve heard great things about that as well!

Carrie Soto Is Back – Taylor Jenkins Reid

I’m a long time TJR lover and I really enjoyed the tennis-themed story that is Carrie Soto Is Back.

In this powerful novel about the cost of greatness, a legendary athlete attempts a comeback when the world considers her past her prime. I devoured this book in one weekend and absolutely loved it.

How To End A Love Story – Yulin Kuang

How To End A Love Story has been all over my Goodreads feed and was one I immediately added to my “TBR” list. This is the debut novel of author Yulin Kuang; however, she’s known as the screenwriter for two of Emily Henry’s books – People We Meet On Vacation and Beach Read. If those books are your reading style, you’ll likely enjoy this one as well!

The story is about two writers with a complicated history who wind up working together on the same TV show. It’s been described as an “enemies to lovers” type romance, which is a genre that I always get pulled into!

Tom Lake – Ann Patchett (audiobook with Meryl)

Tom Lake is a novel that examines family dynamics, in particular the experience of growing up when Lara’s three daughters return to the family orchard in Northern Michigan.

This story explores topics such as young love, married love, and the lives parents have led before their children were born.

The audiobook is narrated by Meryl Streep and if the waitlist at the library for that version is any indicator, that’s the ideal way to consume this one!

Happy Place – Emily Henry

Happy Place was the book that my beloved bookclub launched by reading one year ago, so it holds a special place in my heart. But this book just feels like summer, and deserves a place on your 2024 summer reading list if you haven’t yet read it.

The story is about a couple who broke up months ago but kept it from their closest friends, making a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with said friends. It takes place in a coastal Maine, has great perspectives on friendship, and is the perfect balance of a thoughtful yet easy read.

A couple who broke up months ago make a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends

Ghosts – Dolly Alderton

There are two Dolly Alderton books on this list and Ghosts is the first!

The story is a romantic comedy that follows the story of Nina Dean, a successful food writer doing her best to navigate her 30’s – exploring topics such as dating, imperfect parents, and the nature of friendships shifting as we age.

Before We Were Innocent – Ella Berman

If a summer spent in Greece and a mysterious, untimely death while abroad sounds like you’re idea of an intriguing read, Before We Were Innocent should be added to your summer reading list.

This is one of the only mystery/thriller-type books on this list and that’s mainly because I find myself craving this type of read in the colder months. But I’m making an exception based on the location alone!

Margo’s Got Money Troubles – Rufi Thorpe

This book has kind of flown under the radar but I’m here to tell you that I think it’s going to be one of the big books of the summer!

Margo’s Got Money Troubles is said to be a laugh-out-loud funny and heartwarming story about a young woman’s attempt to navigate adulthood, new motherhood, and her meager bank account in our increasingly online world.

This Summer Will Be Different – Carley Fortune

This Summer Will Be Different might be the most anticipated summer book of 2024, if it’s prevalence on my booktok scrolls is any indictor.

As an east coast Canadian myself, I have to say that having the story set in Prince Edward Island made it an instant “add to my TBR list”. Carley Fortune is known for her summer romance-style of writing and this one seems to fall perfectly within that genre–featuring a steamy romance that takes place over a series of summers.

Just For The Summer – Abby Jimenez

Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez is the third book, and most recent addition, to the “Jimenez universe”. While the books don’t necessarily need to be read in order, it’s recommended to do so.

I haven’t yet read her first two books: “Part Of Your World” or “Yours Truly“, so I’ll likely start there–especially since I’m currently sitting at #43 on the library request list for this one. But the cover alone feels like the best summer vibes!

Funny Story – Emily Henry

The moment I saw this book popping up everywhere, I knew I wanted to read it without a doubt because of how much I enjoyed Henry’s Happy Place.

Funny Story has only been out for a couple of months and already has over 300,000 reviews on Goodreads and a 4.3 star rating. So do yourself a favour and add this to your summer reading list 2024!

Talking At Night – Claire Daverly

The reviews I’ve read about Talking At Night describe it as a beautiful and tender love story that spans many years.

This book is a story about two people who meet as teens and keep coming together and falling apart throughout their lives. It explores topics such as first loves, grief, and loss.

The Women – Kristin Hannah

My bookclub read The Women a couple of months ago and it was a resounding 5 stars from almost everyone in the group.

If you’ve read Kristin Hannah, you know that she does an incredible job of writing female protagonists and this book is no exception. The story is about the women hero’s during the Vietnam War, friendship, and mental health (PTSD, in particular).

The Most Fun We Ever Had – Claire Lombardo

The Most Fun We Ever Had is my bookclub’s current book, so I’m reading it as we speak!

The story is a multigenerational novel in which the four adult daughters of a Chicago couple–still madly in love after forty years–recklessly ignite old rivalries until a long-buried secret threatens to shatter the lives they’ve built.

The Unmaking of June Farrow – Adrienne Young

The Unmaking of June Farrow is another book that my bookclub read recently and most of the group really enjoyed it!

This story is unlike anything I’ve read and is a mix of magical realism, historical fiction, and romance. It takes place in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is a place I lived for a few years so it felt especially nostalgic!

Looking For Jane – Heather Marshall

Looking For Jane was another bookclub book we read a few months back. I was captivated while reading this one and know that it will stay with me for a long time

The book is a historical fiction novel based on the real underground networks of doctors and nurses in Canada providing safe abortions in the late 60s, 70s, and early 80s. It’s a powerful story and made for a great discussion in our group.

Anita De Monte Laughs Last – Xochitl Gonzalez

Anita De Monte Laughs Last is a novel about a first-generation Ivy League student who uncovers the brilliant work of a female artist who suspiciously died decades earlier.

This story is told from the perspective of both women and explores big topics such power, love, and art.

The Secret Book of Flora Lee – Patti Callahan Henry

The Secret Book of Flora Lee is about a woman who stumbles across a mysterious children’s book that holds secrets about her missing sister and their childhood spent in the English countryside during World War II.

An emotionally charged historical fiction with a bit of mystery mixed in, this sounds like a captivating story!