7 of the Best Books this Summer

Summer is a great time to enjoy the beautiful weather and read a good book! Today I am sharing 7 of the best books this summer has to offer.

I could definitely give you more than 7, however, this is a good start for your summer list!

A Girl and Her Books

I have loved a good book, especially a good mystery, since I was a little girl. Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew were my favorites. I shudder thinking about how my mother sold them all in a garage sale! I used to think I would grow up and write good mystery novels, but that just wasn’t the case. Well, I guess I am a writer. I just missed the mystery part.

Anyway…there’s something so special about holding a book in your hand. Yes, I know many people love their Kindles and I respect that. However for me, the smell of a book and turning each page by hand really gives me joy!

Have you ever joined a book club? Surprisingly, I was never part of a book club. So, I decided to start my own last summer. You can learn how to host your own in my post 7 Easy Ways to Host a Book Club. Having a book club is such a fun way to spend time with friends who enjoy reading too!

“Let’s be reasonable and add an eighth day to the week that is devoted exclusively to reading.” – Lena Dunham

Where to Grab Books This Summer

Books can be an expensive habit. There are several places where you can find books inexpensively. I’ve made a short list for you below.

1. Local Libraries: Public libraries are a great resource for borrowing books for free. You can access a wide range of titles and genres without spending any money. If the book you’re looking for isn’t available at your local one, some libraries often have a system where you can request books from other branches.
2. Used Bookstores: Secondhand bookstores offer pre-owned books at significantly lower prices compared to new ones.
3. Thrift Stores: Some of the larger thrift stores often have a section dedicated to books.
4. Book Swaps: Swapping books with friends and family is a great way to acquire books, provided you enjoy the same type of books.
5. Garage Sales and Flea Markets: Sometimes these events will allow you to fill a bag of books for a specific dollar amount and it is usually a small amount.
6. Book Store Clearance Sections: Most bookstores have a clearance section. You may have to dig but can sometimes find amazing deals!

Remember, it’s worth checking multiple sources regularly, as the availability and selection of inexpensive books can vary.

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The Best Books This Summer

1.) The Five-Star Weekend | Elin Hilderbrand

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand was such a great read! However, I enjoy every book written by Elin Hilderbrand.

This book is set in Nantucket. What’s not to love about that! Hollis Shaw is the main character and she is a rich food blogger. After tragedy strikes and her life seems to be fractured, she hears about something called a “Five-Star Weekend”. A weekend where you host a best friend from each decade of your life. Hollis assembles four friends from different stages in her life to spend an unforgettable weekend on Nantucket.

It’s a great story about friendship, love and discovering ones self.

2.) The Giver of Stars | JoJo Moyes

If you like historical ficton you are going to love The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes!

The story is set in Depression-era America and is inspired by the true story of the Pack Horse Library Project, a program that aimed to bring books to rural communities in Kentucky. It follows the lives and friendships of five women who make it their quest to bring books to those who have none.

Many reviews I have read said this book is destine to become a modern classic.

3.) The Last Thing He Told Me | Laura Dave

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave has made its way to a television miniseries (Apple TV+) and because of that, this novel seems to be a popular read again, this summer!

The story is about a woman (Hannah) and her step-daughter (Bailey) who are trying to figure out her missing husband’s (Owen) real identity and the mystery behind why he has disappeared.

I enjoyed this book. It is a fast read and a perfect beach or vacation read.

“One benefit of Summer was that each day we had more light to read by.” — Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle

4.) Happy Place | Emily Henry

Emily Henry is considered a “beach-read master” and Happy Place is no exception!

They were the perfect couple since they met in college, but now they aren’t a couple. The catch? They haven’t told their best friends and they pretend to still be together on their annual vacation.

Can they keep the secret? You’ll have to read it to find out!

5.) Meet Me at the Lake | Carley Fortune

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune just recently hit the shelves. It tells the story of an unexpected connection which takes two strangers on a daylong adventure. They make a promise that one of them keeps and the other breaks, which causes life-changing consequences.

6.) The House in the Pines | Ana Reyes

The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes is one I haven’t read yet, however it has been on my list since it came out. I love a good thriller and this is a Reese Witherspoon book club pick from January 2023. It must be good, right?

The book is a psychological thriller about a young woman who is haunted by the mysterious death of her childhood best friend.

7.) One Italian Summer | Rebecca Serle

If you have been reading my blog, you know I am currently obsessed with all things Italian. Going to Italy is on my bucket list. At the present time, it is on the top of my list!

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle is a wonderful book about a young married woman from Los Angeles. She finds herself unanchored after her mother’s death. Despite the loss of her mother, she travels to Italy on a long-awaited vacation they had planned to take together. 

7 of the Best Books this Summer

Although these are just a few recommendations, there are countless other amazing books out there! Summer is the perfect time to relax, recharge, and let the joy of reading wash over you.

Happy reading!

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