Best Books to Read This Summer 2026

A Fun and Romantic Summer Read

If you love books, romance and witty conversations, Book Lovers by Emily Henry is an ideal choice for your summer reading list.

The novel follows Nora Stephens, a successful literary agent who finds herself stepping away from her busy New York life. Nora spends a month in Sunshine Falls, hoping to give her younger sister Libby the small-town adventure she has always dreamed of.

However, her plans become more complicated when she repeatedly crosses paths with Charlie Lastra, a book editor she already knows from New York. Despite their professional rivalry and rocky start, Nora and Charlie discover they may have more in common than they expected.

Their relationship develops into a charming tale of unexpected connection, family and slow-burn romance. With entertaining characters, humour and plenty of bookish references, Book Lovers is an easy choice for a relaxing summer afternoon.

A Gripping Summer Mystery

If you’re looking for a book that will keep you turning the pages, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore is an excellent summer mystery.

Set at a summer camp in the Adirondacks in 1975, the story begins when 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar disappears from her bunk. Barbara is the daughter of the wealthy family who owns the camp, making her disappearance even more mysterious. To make matters worse, her older brother disappeared from the same area 14 years earlier. As the search for Barbara begins, the story explores the secrets of the Van Laar family, the camp staff and the wider community around them. Multiple perspectives gradually reveal more about the family and the events surrounding both disappearances.

Combining mystery, family drama and a classic summer-camp setting, The God of the Woods is a great choice for readers who like their summer reading with a darker edge.

A Heart-Warming Summer Read

For something lighter and more uplifting, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a charming story about friendship, loss and unexpected connections.

The novel follows Tova Sullivan, a widow who works night shifts at an aquarium. There, she develops an unusual friendship with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who is far more intelligent than the people around him. Marcellus also holds a clue to what happened to Tova’s son, Erik, who disappeared more than 30 years earlier. As the story unfolds, the unlikely connection between Tova and Marcellus helps uncover long-hidden secrets and brings new people into Tova’s life.

Warm, emotional and gently mysterious, this is the kind of book that is perfect for a sunny afternoon.

The Perfect Summer Travel Read

Summer is the perfect time for travel, and In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson allows readers to explore Australia from the comfort of their own home.

Bryson combines humour with fascinating observations about Australia, making the book both entertaining and informative. His descriptions bring the country’s landscapes, wildlife and unique character to life, making it an enjoyable choice for anyone looking for a summer read that is both funny and full of interesting facts.

Whether you’re planning your next adventure or simply enjoy learning about new places, In a Sunburned Country is a fun and engaging summer read.

A Glamorous and Emotional Summer Read

If you enjoy stories filled with glamour, secrets and complicated relationships, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is well worth adding to your summer reading list.

The story follows Monique Grant, an unknown magazine reporter who is unexpectedly chosen by legendary Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo to tell the story of her life. As Evelyn reveals the truth about her rise to fame, her seven marriages and the choices she made throughout her career, Monique begins to understand why she was chosen for such a personal story.

Behind the glamorous Hollywood setting is a much more emotional story about ambition, love, sacrifice, friendship and the price of fame.

A Powerful and Emotional Summer Read

Set in the remote wilderness of Alaska, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is an unforgettable story about family, survival and resilience.

The novel follows the Allbright family as they move off the grid in search of a fresh start. Ernt Allbright returns from the Vietnam War deeply changed by his experiences. As the harsh Alaskan winter closes in, his increasingly unpredictable behaviour begins to threaten the family’s safety. His wife Cora and daughter Leni must learn to survive both the unforgiving wilderness and the tensions within their own home.

Although it isn’t a traditional light-hearted beach read, its immersive setting and emotional storytelling make it a powerful choice for summer reading. It’s a book that can completely draw you into another world.

A Magical Summer Escape

For readers looking for fantasy, adventure and mythology, Circe by Madeline Miller provides a beautifully written escape into the world of ancient Greece.

The novel retells the story of Circe, the daughter of the sun god Helios, who is banished to the remote island of Aiaia after discovering and using her powers of witchcraft. There, she meets legendary figures like Odysseus, Daedalus and Medea. As she learns to use and strengthen her powers, Circe begins to create her own path in a world dominated by gods and men.

Combining Greek mythology with themes of identity, independence, transformation and belonging, Circe is a captivating read that can transport you far beyond your summer surroundings.

A Feel-Good Summer Favourite

Funny, emotional and uplifting, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman is a memorable story about friendship, kindness and unexpected change.

Eleanor lives a structured and predictable life, spending her days working, following the same routines and keeping everyone at a distance. However, after she and a colleague named Raymond help an elderly man who has fallen in the street, an unexpected friendship begins to develop. Their connection slowly changes Eleanor’s life as she starts to open herself up to other people and confront painful memories from her past.

With its balance of humour, emotional moments and heartfelt storytelling, this is a memorable book about loneliness, friendship and the importance of human connection.

A Classic Summer Romance

Only a few books fit the phrase “summer read” quite as perfectly as Beach Read by Emily Henry.

The story follows January Andrews, a successful romance writer, and Augustus Everett, a literary fiction author who lives in the neighbouring beach house. Although the two authors have very different approaches to storytelling, they make a deal to swap their writing styles for the summer. January will attempt to write literary fiction, while Augustus agrees to write something with a happier ending. What follows is a funny and romantic story filled with writing challenges, unexpected discoveries and plenty of chemistry.

With its beachside setting, romance and humour, Beach Read is an obvious choice for anyone looking for an entertaining book to take on holiday.

A Beautiful Summer Mystery

Combining mystery, romance and breathtaking descriptions of nature, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is an atmospheric novel that draws readers into its world.

The story follows Kya Clark, a young woman growing up in isolation in the marshes of North Carolina after being abandoned by her family. As she teaches herself to survive, Kya develops a deep connection with the natural world around her. Her life begins to change when she forms relationships with two young men from the nearby town. Years later, when one of them is found dead, Kya becomes the centre of a murder investigation that threatens to expose the secrets she has kept hidden.

With its unforgettable setting, emotional storytelling and elements of mystery, romance and coming-of-age fiction, this is a book that can keep you absorbed from beginning to end.