One of the best parts of summer is finding the perfect book and laying out in the sunshine to enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the pool. There are few experiences as fulfilling as reading a great book while on vacation at a fabulous luxury resort, especially around a Rooftop infinity pool where you can order a cool drink and get lost in a world between the pages. Check out these recommendations for the best books to read this summer and find your next obsession!
1. Filthy Animals by Brandon Taylor
At the top of our list of the best books to read this summer is Filthy Animals by Brandon Taylor. Taylor’s previous novel earned him a Man Booker Prize nomination. This collection of short stories is strewn together by a gaggle of young characters struggling with love. In one story, a young man must balance between two dancers in an open relationship, in another a woman fights against cancer, and in another a couple must explore their limits in connection and cruelty.
This exploration of desire and love paints a tender portrait of how real human emotions can be, whether pleasant or painful. Taylor captures the frailty of connection and delivers it in an honest and real way.
2. Slipping by Mohamed Kheir
This poetic novel has been translated from Arabic by Robin Moger and it follows the tragedy in Egypt in the wake of the Arab Spring. Seif, who is a struggling journalist, happens upon someone who knows the secrets of the country and all of its magical spaces. Together, they adventure to the edge of the Nile and into deep and wonderful caves of mystery.
This novel plays with the idea of finding meaning amongst immense trauma and seeks out the everyday miracles that are often overlooked. This imaginative novel will pull you into Kheir’s world of magical realism.
3. Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Rachel has fallen into a comfortable routine; catch the same train to work every morning, peek in on that house with the perfect couple, and dream that their life is hers. One morning though, everything changes. Rachel sees something at the house of the “perfect” couple that she wasn’t supposed to and now she can’t get it out of her mind. After this, she is pulled into their lives and must ride this gripping rollercoaster of a journey.
The thrill of this novel is the fact that you cannot trust anyone—not even the narrator. Decide for yourself who is telling the truth…or if anyone is at all.
4. The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
Protagonist, Nella Rogers, is the newest addition to Wagner Books, and also the only Black employee. Nella is thrilled when Hazel joins the team, who is also a young Black woman, and is sure that the two of them will be able to bond over the isolating struggles Nella has been facing. However, Hazel soon becomes the star employee and Nella is left with hostile messages on her desk.
This novel takes a turn for the terrifying as it reveals itself to be the thriller it truly is. Harris will keep you at the edge of your seat in this twisted tale of manipulation and social commentary.
5. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This is one of the best books to read during the summer. Set in August 1983 in the simmering heat of Malibu, the famous Riva siblings prepare to throw an end of the summer celebration. Nina Riva is the only sibling not looking forward to the party though, as she never wants to be the center of attention. Each sibling has a different secret they are grappling with that will rise to the surface before the party is over.
Join in on this suspenseful beachy read and discover the Riva family’s deepest and darkest secrets as they are uncovered.
6. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Hannah Hall’s husband, Owen Michaels, has disappeared. Before he vanished though, he left a note for his wife to find with only two words: Protect her. Hannah knows that he is referring to his daughter, Bailey. Bailey, however, despises her new stepmother. The situation gets more and more unsettling as FBI agents start to show up at Hannah’s house.
Through this mystery, Hannah and Bailey will discover together the surprising truth of who Owen Michaels truly was.
7. With Teeth by Kristen Arnett
This dark comedy is about a lesbian couple and their son, Samson. The twist is that protagonist, Sammie Lucas, isn’t exactly sure how she feels about her child—in fact, she may even be a little scared of him. Samson is a quiet boy that refuses to let anybody in. He grows into a vicious teen, and finally lashes out with physical aggression. Sammie finally must take a deep look at herself while trying to sort through this potentially devastating issue.
This story is thought-provoking and paints a real picture of the main character that by the end of the novel you feel you know her. Join Arnett on this rollercoaster of a tale.
8. House of Sticks by Ly Tran
House of Sticks is a heartbreaking and heartwarming memoir about a Vietnamese family’s journey to New York. They begin with no knowledge of life in America and make their way in the world by first establishing a factory inside their two-bedroom apartment in Queens, then later buying a nail salon. Ly must reconcile these two worlds she finds herself between; her family’s traditional Buddhist ways and the new life they have found in America.
Ly Tran tells the story of her family’s immigration with honesty and humor. Dive into this moving portrait of a reckoning of worlds colliding.
9. In the Country of Others by Leila Slimani
Springing off of her success with novel, The Perfect Nanny, Slimani jumps into the first installment of a trilogy with, In the Country of Others. The story follows the affair of a Frenchwoman, Mathilde, and Moroccan soldier, Amine, during World War II. The two start a life together and must face challenges raising their children in a world of wealthy French family standards—something they are not accustomed to. Mathilde begins to rise above the title of being simply a farmer’s wife and fights against the social pressures and expectations placed on her.
This is a story of gender, love, and loss that is sure to capture your attention and leave you eager for the next novel in the series.
10. Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney
The last book in our top ten list of the best books to read this summer has a great title, Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry. Protagonist Quinn loves to make lists of everything from how many days she’s ugly cried to the boys she wants to kiss. One day, however, her journal of secrets goes missing and an anonymous account on Instagram starts posting her entries. The poster announces that Quinn must face seven of her biggest fears or else they will make her whole journal public. Quinn teams up with Carter, the last person to have her journal, and together they race to track down the blackmailer.
Quinn will face everything she’s been too scared to and will even find the courage to fall in love. This contemporary YA novel will warm your heart and make you feel like you are best friends with the characters.
Whether the perfect summer read for you is a thriller, romance, or heartwarming memoir, there is something on our top ten books to read list to quench your beachy read needs. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous you could make your way through the entire list! Enhance your summer with this fantastic selection of enticing literature!
