What’s the Project? Looking for some great books for summer to read by the pool or on vacation? These books for women are easy to get into and will have you happily reading all summer long!
If there is one thing I love about summer, it’s summer reading!
I love to soak up the sunshine with a good book in tow, and I love having fun, engaging, great books whether it’s for while I am on a trip or just bumming on a summer afternoon or sitting by the pool. I’ve gathered a list of GREAT books for you to try out this summer if you love summer reading too!
Today I am going to give you 20+ great books for summer.
As we speak-literally as I am typing this-I am re-reading a favorite of mine, The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. BUT, when I say “reading” I mean listening. Do you ever do that? Get a good book on Audible and listen to it as you do things?
Listening to books can be great for summer time. One of my favorite things to do on a road trip with my boys is to listen to a book while we drive. Today I have a lot to get done but also want to get The Forgotten Garden “read” by book club tomorrow night, so I grabbed it on Audible and I’ll listen to it today while I do things like fold laundry and make dinner. Makes it so nice to get stuff done around the house while listening to a book!
So, before we launch into the book recommendations, let me just tell you-all of these can be found on Audible AND you can get a free 30 day trial so you can get a book a listen now for free!
And, a fun new release at Audible this month, Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book: The Mowgli Stories! It’s a fun adaptation on the original The Jungle Book story and it’s available now! Might be a great one for this summer with your family?
OK, so let’s talk about the other great summer books!
20 Great Books for Summer:
Historical Fiction:
Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: A story of two sisters during World War II in France. A bit of history, a bit of mystery, sad and beautiful all in one.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: Another story of World War II. A girl who is blind and lives in Paris and a young boy living in Germany. You get each of their tales.
Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner: Another World War II story and another mystery (can you tell what kind of books I like?). This one takes place in London and is one of my favorite books ever.
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok: Story of immigrants from Asia living in America and trying to make ends meet and get by while also learning to live within a new culture.
Fiction:
The Lake House by Kate Morton: This is my all time favorite author! Any book you read by her will be great. This is her latest. It takes a little work to get into but it’s SO worth it in the end. I call this type of story a family history mystery. One character is trying to find out clues to things that happened in the past and unravel a family mystery.
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline: This tells the story of a girl sent West on the orphan train last century and jumps back to the present to the story of a girl dealing with her own version of an orphan train as she navigates foster care.
The Forgotten Room by Karen White, Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig: Yes-do you see that? Three authors. They each write the voice of one character, three generations of women. Another family history mystery type story.
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty: Middle aged mom falls off her bike at spin class and can’t remember the last ten years or so of her life and she tries to piece it all back together.
Edenbrooke and Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson: In the mood for a fast, clean, cheesy romance? Either of these books are for you. You’ll read these ones fast and swoon a lot. Good ones when you need an easy read.
Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin: I would read any book that this author writes! SO good. More of the family history mystery style book and this one’s one of my favorites by her. But really, if you like this style, pick up any of her books.
Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman, Nancy Freedman: Love this story! One of my all time favorites. Young woman marries a Canadian Mounty and they move into the wilderness of Canada. Such a beautiful story.
Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist: Another fun, easy romance. This one takes place in a large estate in America and is an easy, clean read. Great for summer!
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman: If you liked The Help, this one reminded me of it a little bit. Southern charm and female friendship.
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows: Another WWII book, but this one takes a lighter, more comical spin. A group of people trying to make the most of life during this difficult time.
Classics:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: Probably my all time favorite book! If you haven’t read this classic, grab it. It’s get all the elements of a good classic romance also with a hint of mystery.
Persuasion by Jane Austen: I know that you all know Jane Austen already, but if you haven’t read this one, do it! I think this is my favorite of all her books!
Young Adult:
The Selection (and the whole series) by Kiera Cass: Think the Bachelor meets The Hunger Games. If you like easy, fast paced young adult series, you will love this series.
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson: Young girl finds herself with no family but a plot of land in Montana and heads out there to try to make a go of it. Beautiful story of relationships and things that matter in life.
I’d love to hear some of your favorite summer reads!
Then pick one of these and try it out on Audible! Let me know what you think!
Thank you to Audible for sponsoring this post! I really do love to listen to books on Audible! Grab your free 30 day trial and see if you love it too!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Audible. The opinions and text are all mine.
I hope you love reading these great books for summer!
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Amy smith says
Thank you, I love this list and was in need of some new material. I’ve read several, and especially enjoy historical fiction, but a good cheesy romance is often fun. I’m going to check out audible so I can listen while I sew/knit/crochet. Thank you for this site, so many good ideas. Love, love the hooded towels and have made 8 for gifts!
Karen says
I really enjoyed a new historical mystery, Delivering the Truth by Edith Maxwell. Set in Amesbury, MA in 1888. The midwife is a Quaker. I thought it was a great read. Also Killing Time by Julianne Holmes–a clock shop mystery. I learned some interesting things about clocks in this book.
Laura @ The Bluenose Baker says
We must have very similar taste in books! I’ve read a lot of those ( I love Kate Morton and Kristin Hannah) and I’ve put several others on my to-read list! The Rosie Project is the next grown-up book on my reading list.
Amber says
If you love those two you should definitely try Lynn Austin. Similar feel.
Carol Hillegas says
The Charm Bracelet is a sweet and charming summer read. I also loved The Nest.
yip says
divergent series and the fault in our stars
Evelyn says
I would like to know some non fiction books for summer please. Also, l would like to know how to make the bag in the picture. Thanks so much Crazy Little Projects.
Amber says
I don’t really read non fiction much, sorry! And I bought that bag-didn’t make that one.
Jennifer says
I recently fell in love with ” The Midwife of Hope River.” It is such a great story. The 2nd book in the series is just as good, ” The Reluctant Midwife.” Happy Reading!
amyc says
I just finished The Secret of Hummingbird Cake. If you need a good laugh while, also, needing a box tissues nearby, then this book is a must.
Lisa says
Thank you for these suggestions, especially the historical fiction. I see many titles that interest me in all the categories. It’s going to be a busy reading summer! Maybe I’ll even give Audible a try.
Tana says
I live in the Smokey Mountains and recently while star gazing I thought about a favorite movie of mine “Contact”. But remembering I had not read the actual book by Carl Sagan. So this is my new read. If you have not seen the movie or read the book it talks of the Heavens and God. Carl Sagan is one of the few scientist who is a believer in God. In the movie Jodi Foster plays the astronomer and Matthew McConaughey plays the minister who defend her when no one believes that she has seen. It is a powerful movie and I hope a great read. Tana