a perfect unassigned summer reading list
notes on seasonality, the books on my summer tbr + my fav summer reads
During school, I relished summer reading. While other kids would groan about the homework, I found myself excited to have a purpose. Besides summer camps and classes, I wasn’t very good at filling my days. As a self-proclaimed “indoor girl”, the heat was not my friend. So, more often than not, summer days were spent on Neopets or Toontown.
These days, summer feels like an extension of the rest of the year. I’m still going to work (sadly, we don’t live in Europe, so August is very much in office). Especially in NYC, where the subways turn into steam rooms, summer has begun to feel overrated: the hype feels nostalgic, reminiscent of the days when summers were a blank slate. Now, summer just means I have to figure out how to get to work without completely negating the effects of my natural deodorant (I’m a big proponent of Rio Deo, if you’re curious).
In general, adulthood makes it harder for me to appreciate the seasons. Snow days aren’t properly enjoyed, I have to pay for my own field trips to go apple picking, and summer vacations are parsed out based on how much of my unlimited PTO I can take without falling totally behind.
So, I’m on a mission to regain some of my ~seasonal joy~: savoring the weather, the activities, and the idiosyncrasies that each month brings. For summer, that means loading my weekends with farmers market trips, al fresco dining, picnics in the park, and lots of reading.
The good thing about summer as an adult? I can choose my own summer reading list - no homework required. Here are the books with summer vibes on my list (plus some good park/beach read recs at the end):
Books on Palestine
I read Crossing Borders when my aunt published it last summer, but I plan on rereading it in the context of all that’s happened since October. It’s such a great book, and I’d love it even if I weren’t related to the author. From what I’ve heard, The Hundred Years’ War complements it perfectly, offering a more rigorous historical context for the devastation and ceaseless violence toward Palestinians.
Classics
I’m trying to channel “daughter of a wealthy English merchant summering at her countryside estate,” and what better way than with a few classics? We’re reading Picture of Dorien Gray for book club this month. I’ve seen the movie versions of Emma and Pride & Prejudice (should’ve read the books first, I know I know) and loved them, so I have a good feeling I’ll be a fan.
Marine life fiction and non-fiction
A very niche subset, I know. Call it my new take on beach reads. There’s an overwhelming amount of octopus content I’ve been meaning to read/watch (My Octopus Teacher has been on my list forever), so here we are!
Indulgent romantasy
Clearly, I’m not immune to TikTok hype. While I’m sorry to say I’m not fiending for the ACOTAR series (a tough admission when I’m 3 books and 1807 pages in), I’m invested enough to finish it out. Plus, I’ve heard the last book is the best in the series, so who am I to stop part way through?? After waiting more than 4 months for Fourth Wing, I’m #67 on the Brooklyn Public Library’s hold list. Will it be worth it? We’ll see.
And now some tried and true summer reading recs:
Anything by Emily Henry*
Emily Henry is the queen of writing romance books with characters that feel straight out of a literary fiction novel. She prioritizes building people and settings that are so tangible it feels like I’ve been there, met them, been them. My personal tier ranking is: Book Lovers, Beach Read, Happy Place. I’m waiting patiently for my hold at the library for Funny Story, but things don’t look too promising from my spot at #437 on the waitlist.
*I do not recommend People We Meet On Vacation, though
Also anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Ugh, talk about addictive characters. The epitome of summer reading for me is getting so lost in a book that you look up and hours have passed. Taylor Jenkins Reid writes about fame so well - you’d think she was the daughter of a world-famous musician, part of an iconic 1970s rock band, a world-famous actress, or an inimitable tennis player with 20 grand slam titles. All her books are so intense with masterful pacing; it feels almost like reading an insanely well-written celebrity gossip magazine or a fantastic memoir.
A few beautiful YA novels that give total summer reading vibes
There’s something beautifully innocent about young adult novels. They make me nostalgic, even when I’ve never read them before. I feel like haters assume these books are childish, but that’s not the case at all. YA novels deal with tough themes; they’re just often dealt with by teenagers. It’s fun to put myself back in that headspace of being in high school (which it feels like I graduated just a few years ago - not 8), though it’s never somewhere I would voluntarily go back to.
The Heartstopper series: These books had me giggling and kicking my feet! I love a good graphic novel, and Heartstopper is an example of how to do it right. The story of two high school boys becoming friends and falling in love is just so lovely and pure - it reminded me to appreciate the little pockets of love and joy in my life!
I’ll Give You the Sun: The story of a pair of twins who’ve grown apart, this book reminded me what an amazing and happy thing it is to be alive. Everything about the characters and their love and hate was so genuine - so human. I relished the slow reveal of their conflict, and winced whenever they hurt each other. What a beautiful thing that we can have relationships that grow and change as we do.
Here the Whole Time: This book is hysterical. I love the main character, a shy social outcast who reminds me of Josh from Drake & Josh. His narration throughout the story is so relatable and laugh out loud funny while still feeling realistic. The book takes place over the course of his winter break, where his neighbor (who he has a crush on!!!) comes to stay with him and his mom unexpectedly. It’s the kind of story that makes you remember that there are good people in the world, and that to connect with other people we sometimes have to connect with ourselves, first.
Some unique romances that are more about finding yourself than about love
Something I learned about myself this year: I’ll never be a pure romance girly. I need something else to keep the pages turning! All of these are like that, filled with romantic subplots but focused more on the individuals and their journey of self love.
Alone With You in the Ether: My favorite book this year!! This book had me almost missing my train stop…that’s how entrenching it is. Alone With You in the Ether is about what it means to be unwell and be loved. The two main characters are both puzzles to be solved and, after they meet at The Art Institute, they agree to have 6 conversations. Their relationship is puzzling and bizarre - but so are they.
Milk Fed: More than anything, this book is about control. Whether it’s love, sex, food, or religion, the main character feels set in her ways. Neurotic about her food intake, she soon finds herself in a dalliance with the woman at the frozen yogurt shop, who challenges her to test her limits and redefines how she thinks of control. Milk Fed is for the perfectionists who are dying to just be taken care of.
Seven Days in June: A romance from high school between two authors rekindles when they meet at a literary event. Turns out, they’ve been writing their books about each other this whole time, holding a silent conversation with their novels. The novel unveils slowly, giving you just enough to get the next plot point before jumping POVs or giving a flashback. Seven Days in June is about love, but it’s also about trauma, pain, and art. Sooooo great
The Freedom Clause: What happens when a couple agrees to open up their marriage for just one day each year? The Freedom Clause explores what it means to discover yourself in a relationship, and how your identity can become so fatefully intertwined with your partner that it gets hard to see yourself. The writing is fun and hilarious at times, but also made me think about my own relationship and consider how I can best serve myself while with a partner. The audiobook is 10/10.
Happy summer reading :)
What’s on your summer reading list? And did I miss any summer must-reads?? Comment/reply and let me know!
XOXO,
Madz