SUMMER READING LIST 2020
Something about summer just gets me excited to devour a pile of books, especially books that transport me to a beach. I don’t know that I’ll read ALL of these books this summer (a gal can dream though!) but this is the stack I’ll be reaching for as I turn pages in the heat of the summer sun. You can shop any of these books online through my summer reading list on Bookshop.Org, which supports independent bookstores, or through your local bookstore or library.
BIG SUMMER by Jennifer Weiner: It’s been a long time since I read a Jennifer Weiner books but this just seemed like an easy & fun summer read to enjoy.
PIZZA GIRL by Jean Kyoung Frazier: I’ll admit, the cover & title of this one initially drew me in, but the coming-of-age plot hooked me!
THE NICKEL BOYS by Colson Whitehead: Winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for fiction & the rave reviews are endless. I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of my copy to dig in!
GOLDEN by Andrea Dickherber: Andrea reached out to me on Instagram to share her debut novel & I couldn’t have been more honored. This young adult read makes the perfect addition to my summer reading stack!
THE SEAS by Samantha Hunt: I stumbled upon this beautiful book at my local bookstore & when I read a review that described it as “The Little Mermaid grown-up” I decided I had to read it.
AMERICANAH by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: This book has been on my TBR list for a long time so I’m hoping this summer I can make it happen.
LIMELIGHT by Amy Poeppel: I initially picked this book up last summer for our beach vacation but never got around to it, so I’m including it on my list this year.
THE REVISIONERS by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton: I found this book while perusing my local bookstore’s fiction selection during a promotion they had & the powerful storyline between mothers & children captivated my attention.
INLAND by Téa Obreht: After reading Valentine a few months ago I’ve got a craving for more western historical fiction & I’ve only heard great things about this author.
SAINT X by Alexis Schaitkin: My friend Caitlin & I have been swapping books via mail & she devoured this book. A juicy, thriller for the warm summer heat!
THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett: This was my Book of the Month selection for June & I’ve just started reading it, I’m already hooked into the story!
ALL ADULTS HERE by Emma Straub: I actually finished this book last week & LOVED it. I find myself missing the characters & fictional New England town.
THE UNHONEYMOONERS by Christina Lauren: I have this book on loan from my library on my Kindle as a book to read during middle-of-the-night nursing sessions. It sounds like a funny & fast read!
SEA WIFE by Amity Gaige: Another book I stumbled upon at my local bookstore, seems like a read that will transport me to the shores.
THE GIRL WITH THE LOUDING VOICE by Abi Daré: Another Book of the Month selection, from earlier this year that I have been saving for summer!
OPEN BOOK by Jessica Simpson: Okay I judged this book hard for a long time, but I kept hearing rave reviews that I couldn’t turn away from. I was a big Jessica Simpson fan back in the day so I’m actually really excited to read this now!
GOODNIGHT STRANGER by Miciah Bay Gault: I have to have a few thrillers on my list, especially if they involve water & island life.
SUMMER AND JULY by Paul Mosier: A sweet & simple young adult read that takes place on a coastal California town just screams summer to me.
A VERY LARGE EXPANSE OF SEA by Tahereh Mafi : A post 9/11 story of a Muslim teenager in New York examining racism & prejudice along with a romantic storyline.
THE ROXY LETTERS by Mary Pauline Lowry: All the Bridget Jone’s Diary vibes & a lighthearted addition to balance out my summer list.
BEACH READ by Emily Henry: I mean, the title speaks for itself, right. I won’t be on a beach this summer but I’m still excited to read this one.
SHARKS IN THE TIME OF SAVIORS by Kawai Strong Washburn: I was so excited to read this on our vacation to Hawaii, though it’s been postponed, I’m still keeping it on my list!
COLD SUNFLOWERS by Mark Sippings: This book sounds like a beautiful love story for any season, but especially for warm summer days.
SUMMER by Ali Smith: Ali has published a seasonal quartet that I’ve committed to reading this year hopefully. I’ve read Spring so Summer is the next book in her quartet for me.
COMMONWEALTH by Ann Patchett: I have a few of Ann’s novels on my TBR list, The Dutch House being the other, so I may try to read both!
