Summer has finally arrived, bringing longer days and hopefully plenty of time to get lost in a good book. Here are five standout novels from different genres that will draw you in and keep you hooked until the very end.
Classic: Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
Giovanni’s Room is a beautifully written novel that follows David, an American living in Paris, as he grapples with love, identity, and societal expectations after beginning a relationship with Giovanni.
The storytelling is intimate through its exploration of desire and loneliness, but surprisingly modern, making it perfect for a more accessible classic.
It’s an ideal summer read because it’s emotionally powerful and impossible to put down once you begin. The novel is also relatively short and can be read in one sitting.
This is definitely a book that lingers long after the final page and is, therefore, an amazing companion for a vacation or a quiet afternoon in the sun.
Thriller: Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
When it comes to thrillers, anything Agatha Christie is perfect for a quick summer read that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
I personally chose Death on the Nile because reading the novel will make you feel like you’re on a vacation, as it takes place aboard a luxurious steamer traveling along the Nile River through Egypt.
The novel is a puzzle at its core: A murder happens, and from then on, you’re hooked through a pressing investigation by the infamous Hercule Poirot, as he works to uncover the truth and identify the culprit.
Christie uses the Egyptian setting brilliantly, making summer itself an important factor in the book. The scorching sun and confined spaces on the boat all add to the tension and help create the mood.
The ending is truly shocking, with an unexpected outcome that will leave readers stunned.
Non-fiction: Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
Part memoir and part coming-of-age story, Everything I Know About Love is a funny and deeply relatable exploration of friendship, dating, heartbreak, and growing up.
Alderton reflects on her 20s with honesty, sharing both the highs and the awkward lows of adulthood.
Beyond just regular storytelling, you’ll find recipes, shopping lists, and other personal fragments that will make the reader travel back in time to their university days.
It’s the perfect summer read, as it’s engaging and entertaining while being accessible. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or settling in for a long flight. The conversational writing style makes it feel less like reading a novel and more like catching up with a close friend.
Fantasy: The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Summer is the perfect time to start a book series, and Crowns of Nyaxia is one of those that are extremely addictive.
The first book of the series follows Oraya, a human raised by a vampire king, as she enters a deadly tournament where she must fight to survive. She must form a dangerous alliance that turns into a slow-burn romance amid betrayal and high-stakes competition.
The pacing of the book is tight and constantly moving, making you stay up all night just to read that ‘one last chapter’.
Surprisingly, the Gothic atmosphere of the book works well in summer because it balances out the bright environment, offering you respite from the heat.
There are many books within the series, but the first two form a duology, after which you can stop reading.
Romance: Beach Read by Emily Henry
This book signals exactly what it is meant to be, namely something light and enjoyable while you’re relaxing in the sun.
The story unfolds in a beach-town environment with warm weather and a slow seasonal rhythm, and thus embraces the idea of reading as a summer escape rather than a heavy intellectual effort.
At its core, it’s a romance between two writers. However, the light-hearted romance is met with deeper topics such as grief, creative burnout, and family history, which gives it some emotional depth that Emily Henry is famous for.
The writing is perfectly fast-paced, so you can expect an amazing rom-com with rivals to lovers, a bookish setting, a lot of fun, and much more.
