Setting
One of the first things I look at when trying to decide what to read for summer is the setting of the book. The summertime is all about books that allow for escapism. For a summer read, I typically look for a beach setting. Considering I don’t live near an ocean, books set in a coastal town are perfect for me. Books set in Italy, France, and England are especially popular for summer reads, but really a book set in any place I’ve never been to is perfect for the summer. These books transport you to these places, showing you different parts of the world from the comfort of your home. Books with vivid settings that are incredibly immersive and fit in with the summer vibes are exactly what I look for when finding my next summer read. A book that I want to read this summer is The Summer of Second Chances by K.L. Walther. It is set on Martha’s Vineyard, an island with beaches and lighthouses, a perfect setting for a summer read. I’ve yet to read a book set on Martha’s Vineyard, so I am excited to immerse myself in a new place!
Romance
A romance book is a great option for a summer read. Romance stories are typically fun, cute, and quick reads that are great to enjoy lounging indoors from the heat or sitting by the pool. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han is a great example of a perfect summer read. It has a cozy, summery setting with a romance plot and plenty of feel-good moments. What I love so much about the book is that it is a love triangle, featuring childhood friends to lovers. Outside of the romance, it is also a coming-of-age story dealing with grief, making it relatable for many readers. Feel-good books are a must for summer to help you relax and unwind from school or on vacation. Then, after you finish reading the Summer trilogy, you can binge watch the show on Amazon Prime!
Suspense
Suspenseful books are also great for the summer because you can’t stop reading them. Whenever I find myself in a reading slump during the summer, I reach for a good, suspenseful book to get me back into reading. I recently reviewed I’m Gonna Get You Back by Eva Des Lauriers and I think it is an excellent book for the summer. It is a combination of both mystery and romance that left me unable to put it down. Page-turners are ideal for the summer, leaving you wanting to read more. Suspenseful standalones and quick reads are a great way to reintroduce reading back into your routine if you’ve taken a break due to school or work. We don’t want reading to feel like a chore in the summer, but something you are excited to do.
Accessibility
In the summer, a lot of people have more free time to read, but many people also have work, summer classes, or trips to go on, leaving them too busy to get a lot of reading in. This is why things like Kindles and audiobooks are so great. My Kindle is great for traveling, allowing me to bring a ton of book options with me without the weight and packing space of physically bringing them. I also love my Kindle for reading in bed. It is much easier to hold than a physical book and I can turn off the lights and read laying down with no problem. The Kindle has definitely allowed me to get more reading in than ever before. You can also use the Kindle app without having a Kindle, so you can read on your phone or any other device. Most of us don’t go anywhere without our phones, so having a way to read books on them can be great for getting in reading time no matter where we go. Audiobooks are another great option because you can listen to your books while driving, flying, walking, doing chores, and many other things.
It is also a great idea to visit and support your local library this summer. Not only is the library a nice, cool place to relax and read but you can also check out books for free. If you don’t want to check out physical books, the Libby app is an amazing way to support your local library but still have the book accessible on a device like your phone or Kindle. There are so many great, accessible options for reading even with busy schedules and traveling!
I hope this blog helped to give you ideas for what to look for in your next summer read. Check out the Pine Reads Reviews section for even more book recommendations, especially as the summer progresses. Happy summer reading!
Katelyn Burklow, Pine Reads Review Writer