Remember the sheer joy of diving into a book and losing yourself in its pages? As adults, our love for reading can sometimes get lost in the shuffle of busy lives. We often associate summer reading with kids and teens, but trust me, summer reading for adults can be just as much fun. Summer is here, offering the perfect chance to rediscover the magic of books with one of these novels – all written by women.
So dust off your bookshelf, carve out some reading time, and let the magic of storytelling transport you to new adventures. Let this summer be a season of literary rediscovery and pure reading joy with this list of recommendations for summer reading for adults.
Summer Reading for Adults: Our Top 10 Choices
Get ready to revamp your summer reading with our handpicked selection of 10 captivating books that are guaranteed to brighten up your summer reading for adults list. From heart-pounding thrillers to enchanting romances and thought-provoking literary gems, we’ve curated a diverse collection that caters to every reader’s taste. Whether you’re lounging poolside, embarking on a road trip, or simply seeking an escape from the heat, these page-turners will transport you to captivating worlds, introduce you to unforgettable characters, and keep you engrossed until the very last sentence. So, grab your sunscreen and a cool drink, and get ready to embark on a literary journey that will make this summer one for the books.
1. ‘The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois,’ by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
In her first novel, Jeffers (who was nominated for a National Book Award for poetry, no big deal) tells the story of the profound legacy of one of America’s most influential figures. Set against the backdrop of Great Barrington, the birthplace of Du Bois, this sweeping tale weaves together the complexities of Black American history, heritage, and identity. The story hops around in time, starting with a Greek chorus that guides readers through generations but eventually focuses on Ailey, a teenager in the 1980s who has to juggle her life in the city with visits to her family’s ancestral home in Georgia. As she grows up, Ailey learns more about her family’s history, which forces her to confront the challenges of class, colorism, and the weight of ancestral secrets. In this richly layered narrative, education and history take center stage, highlighting the power of knowledge in shaping personal journeys.
Immerse yourself in this remarkable novel, where history and fiction intertwine, and join Ailey on her quest to navigate the treasures and tragedies of the American South.
2. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
So there are these three sisters. They’re stuck in a cherry orchard, far from all the fun stuff happening in society. You know the vibe? Ann Patchett’s new novel Tom Lake is set during the first summer of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the sisters seek shelter on their family’s farm in Michigan. To pass the time while they pick cherries, the sisters convince their mom to tell them about a summer romance she had years ago with a now-famous actor. Patchett, who expertly writes about people forced to bond in unusual situations like hostage crises and makeshift families, is now focusing on love – the kind you have when you’re young, the kind you have when you’re married, the kind that’s fleeting, and the kind that lasts forever. The summer setting makes this an even better summer reading for adults pick!
3. A Quitter’s Paradise by Elysha Chang
When Sarah Jessica Parker launched her literary imprint SJP Lit, she promised it would publish “big-hearted literary and commercial works … inclusive of … underrepresented voices.” The first book on the actor’s imprint is Elysha Chang’s debut novel A Quitter’s Paradise, which is both deep and humorous. It’s about this young Taiwanese American scientist doing everything wrong at work and in her personal life. She’s also trying to figure out what her parents’ immigrant story and her mother’s death mean to her. It’s like Rachel Khong’s Goodbye, Vitamin, and Weike Wang’s Chemistry had a baby, and it’s Chang’s debut novel.
4. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Step into the world of Vera Wong, the sixty-year-old tea-shop owner turned matchmaker turned unexpected detective. With her expertise in tea and a knack for online snooping (mostly to pry into her son’s dating life), Vera finds herself entangled in a perplexing situation. One fateful morning, she stumbles upon a lifeless body right in the heart of her cherished tea shop.
Prepare for a storm of secrets, red herrings, and unexpected twists in this delightful amateur sleuth tale. Vera Wong serves up the truth like no other, daring to uncover the truth amidst a brew of intrigue. With each sip, she uncovers clues leading her closer to catching the elusive killer.
Get ready for a thrilling adventure as Vera Wong spills the tea, literally and figuratively, in “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.”
5. Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
Inspired by a true story from 15th-century China, this spellbinding novel follows Tan Yunxian, a woman born into privilege but haunted by the shadows of death, separation, and isolation. Raised by wise grandparents, Yunxian’s grandmother is among the esteemed few female physicians in China. Under her guidance, Yunxian delves into the intricacies of Chinese medicine, mastering forbidden skills that men cannot employ when treating female patients.
Follow Yunxian as she forms an unbreakable bond with Meiling, a young midwife-in-training, defying societal boundaries that seek to keep them apart until Yunxian’s arranged marriage shatters their connection. Bound by her oppressive mother-in-law’s demands, Yunxian must conform to the expectations of a dutiful wife within the confines of the family compound. Forbidden from seeing Meiling or helping women within her household, she embarks on a journey to break free from suffocating traditions. “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” is a mesmerizing tale that celebrates unwavering support and camaraderie among women. It is an inspiring reimagining of the life of an extraordinary woman who defied societal norms in the Ming dynasty.
6. The Maid’s Diary by Loreth Ann White
In the world of Kit Darling, being a maid to the wealthy fuels her addiction—an addiction to snooping. As a maid, Kit becomes invisible to those with money and power, an anonymous figure blending into the background. But there’s more to Kit than meets the eye. She carries the weight of a traumatic past, haunting her since her teenage years. To cope, Kit immerses herself in her snooping habits, using them to escape her memories. However, when she takes on new clients and discovers their true identities, Kit’s snooping takes on a new dimension.
Prepare for a thrilling journey through multiple timelines, guided by the revelations found within an intriguing diary and the investigation of homicide cop Mallory Van Alst. Called to the scene of a gruesome incident at a luxurious waterfront home known as the Glass House, the evidence points to a brutal attack. The homeowners have vanished into thin air with their maid, Kit, and the only witness is an elderly woman living next door, who was jolted awake by screams in the dead of night. As the story unravels, it becomes a captivating puzzle, with almost everyone concealing their secrets, willing to go to any lengths—even murder—to keep them hidden.
7. Weyward by Emilia hart
Starting in 2019, Kate makes a daring escape from her abusive partner in London, seeking solace in the rustic embrace of Weyward Cottage—a forgotten inheritance from a distant great aunt. Amidst the cottage’s wild ivy and overgrown gardens, Kate becomes intrigued by her great aunt’s hidden secret, veiled within the cottage’s very bones since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.
The story then shoots back to the year 1619, where an unconventional young woman named Altha finds herself awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer, trampled to death by his herd, with mounting evidence of witchcraft.
Meanwhile, in the throes of World War II, Violet is confined within the decaying walls of her family’s grand estate, yearning for the same educational opportunities bestowed upon her brother. She wears a locket engraved with the initial W and the word “weyward” etched into her bedroom’s baseboard, hinting at her mother’s mysterious descent into madness.
Unfolding across five centuries, Emilia Hart’s mesmerizing novel, Weyward, intertwines the tales of these three extraordinary women. Their stories illuminate women’s enduring strength and resilience while exploring the transformative power of the natural world. Prepare to be captivated by a rich narrative of female fortitude and the timeless connections that bind us across the ages.
8. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
In a home haunted by tragedy, William Waters grows up starved for affection with parents who struggle to connect with him. However, his basketball prowess earns him a scholarship that liberates him from his painful past, leading him to encounter Julia Padavano—a vibrant and ambitious young woman who embraces his quiet strength. As William becomes intertwined with Julia’s family, including her three spirited sisters, Sylvie, Cecelia, and Emeline, their love and support envelop him in a warm embrace.
But as shadows from William’s past resurface, threatening Julia’s carefully constructed plans and the unbreakable bond between the sisters, a devastating rift tears the family apart, leaving lasting scars for generations to come.
Infused with tenderness and profound depth, Hello Beautiful presents a stunning and deeply moving portrait of the extraordinary possibilities that arise when we choose to love someone not in spite of their flaws but because of them. This exquisite novel serves as a reminder that love has the transformative power to heal and restore even the most broken hearts.
9. clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
For fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe, the untold story of Clytemnestra, the most notorious villainess of the ancient world, and the events that forged her into the legendary queen come to life in this novel.
Clytemnestra’s journey begins as a princess born into royalty, but her marriage to a tyrant plunges her into a harrowing existence. She witnesses the heart-wrenching sacrifice of her own child to appease the gods, endures her husband’s brutal wars on foreign shores, and finds solace in thoughts of vengeance. This was not the life she deserved, and she refuses to be undone by the injustices inflicted upon her. With meticulous planning, she waits for the perfect moment to seize control.
When her husband returns triumphant, Clytemnestra stands at a crossroads—a woman with a choice. Both acceptance and vengeance promise infamy, but she understands a truth that others fail to grasp. She knows that if power is not given, it must be taken.
10. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is an unparalleled authority on the enigmatic realm of faeries. With her unmatched expertise, she is crafting the world’s first comprehensive encyclopedia of faerie lore, delving into the depths of this mystical domain. However, while Emily excels in her scholarly pursuits, she struggles with human interactions. Social gatherings and small talk are not her forte, leaving her isolated with her cherished books, loyal dog Shadow, and the ethereal Fair Folk as her preferred companions.
Arriving in the rugged village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no desire to befriend the gruff locals or engage with her charming yet exasperating academic rival, Wendell Bambleby. Much to her chagrin, Wendell effortlessly captivates the townsfolk, disrupts Emily’s research, and vexes her. Yet, as Emily inches closer to unraveling the secrets of the elusive Hidden Ones, the most mysterious of all faeries lurking in the shadowy forest beyond the village, she embarks on an unexpected journey of self-discovery.
Amidst her quest, another enigma presents itself: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what are his true intentions? To uncover the answers, Emily must confront the greatest mystery of all—the workings of her own heart—and the profound mysteries that lie hidden within the faerie realm.
We hope this curated list of summer reading for adults recommendations will help reignite your love of reading or introduce you to new books that will become cherished companions. These handpicked selections are sure to captivate your imagination and provide a delightful respite from the everyday hustle. So, kick back, soak up the sun, and allow yourself to be transported to enchanting worlds and meet unforgettable characters. Happy summer reading for adults!
