As the summer months return and beach towels, umbrellas and SPF are thrown into a beach bag, including the essential summer read is paramount. Picture it now, you are sitting at the beach, enjoying the sun on your skin, the sound of the waves and a great book—what could be better? I conducted surveys, asked friends, and went through over eight years of cataloged books on Goodreads, and I have done it; I have curated a list of the top 11 authors perfect for a vacation or a simple summer read.
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11 Authors who have created the essential Summer Reads!
Elin Hilderbrand:
One could argue that there’s nothing more summeresque than a Hilderbrand novel. She has many summer series, but her Nantucket series is the ultimate summer selection of romantic book series that encapsulates the joy, drama, and romance that depicts a summer romance. The first book in the series is A Summer Affair, an unexpected romance between a mother of four and a billionaire. My favorite is the last book, Swan Song, a dramatic, small-town romantic comedy.
Hilderbrand has other great series, like her Paradise series, which is great for winter getaways.
Emily Henry
On my solo adventures, I’ve brought an Emily Henry book to read on the beach, by the pool, or anywhere else I’ve vacationed. These summer reads are page-turning, comedic, romantic, and sometimes mysterious about where things will go and how things will play out. My personal favorite is People We Meet on Vacation because this crush to strangers, back to crush is a hilarious tale of two people who have one moment that ends in confusion and misunderstanding, but ultimately leads to the beginning of their journey together.
Henry’s books are page-turners because of her great writing, lovable, dynamic characters, and the hilarious settings her characters end up experiencing. Her latest essential summer read, Great Big Beautiful Life, focuses on two ghost writers who compete to tell a recluse celebrity’s story. When Alice and Hayden each vie for the job, sparks fly, competition ensues, and new revelations are unearthed.
TJ Klune
When The House in the Cerulean Sea was released in 2020, I bought it thinking it would be a fun book to try since I wasn’t really into science fiction; however, when I got 50 pages in, I was hooked. With multi-faceted characters, intriguing storylines, and comedic interactions, this story is one of my favorites.
The sequel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, is just as good – laugh-out-loud funny, terribly heartfelt, and genuinely memorable. Give these books a try on your next summer holiday!
Mariana Zapata
One of my all-time favorites, Mariana Zapata, writes some of the best sports romance out there. The Wall of Winnipeg is one of my favorite summer reads I’ve ever experienced. It’s hilarious, romantic, mysterious, and you root for the characters!
Lucy Foley
Sometimes, an audiobook suffices for a great summer read, and I recommend Lucy Foley’s books! Her book, The Guest List, is one of the best audiobooks because a different actor voices each character. I just bought her latest book, The Midnight Feast, which I’m excited to try! Her murder mysteries are suspenseful, sometimes funny, and have great character arcs.
Agatha Christie
A classic, an old reliable, the Queen of Murder Mysteries is Agatha Christie. If you are looking for an island, secluded mystery, try And Then There Were None! I liked the book The Tuesday Night Club. I read that one day in England, sitting next to the fire. Another classic of hers that I’ve heard numerous people love is The Murder at the Vicarage.
Christina Lauren
What’s better than two best friends launching books full of love, comedy, and drama? I’ve read The Unhoneymooners four times. Typically, I sit by the lake during the summer and pretend to be on an all-inclusive honeymoon with my sworn enemy. Just kidding, but this book does transport you down this enemies-to-lovers journey. If you liked that book, try their latest, The Paradise Problem.
Lucy Score
The Knockemout series is one of the best romantic comedies and sometimes mystery series I’ve read in a long time. You should read this series in order, so start with Things We Never Got Over. I don’t want to write too much, but the story follows a new couple in each book, and while there tends to be a lot of soul-searching, there’s also hilarity around each corner.
Abby Jimenez
Minnesota author, romantic comedy connoisseur, and one of my favorites. No notes – go check out my blog about her books.
Nita Prose
A great author to listen to on a summer road trip. The Maid is a comedic mystery with great characters! I listened to this novel on my road trip to Maine and through Acadia National Park, which made some boring parts of the drive enjoyable.
Taylor Jenkins Reid
One of my favorite authors of all time, and there’s a small number in that club. One of the things I love about her books is that she knows how to write strong, determined, talented and real female characters. The first book of Reid’s I read was Malibu Rising, a tale about four siblings with varying levels of fame who throw the summer’s most epic party, but chaos ensues over the 24 hours leading up to the soirée. There’s a sequel (sort of) with Carrie Soto is Back, and her stand-alone rock band drama, Daisy Jones & the Six, is one of the best books I have ever read.
These are my favorite authors I turn to when it’s time to go on vacation, and I hope you will find that they can be your essential summer read, too. Have I missed anyone? Let me know who you’d recommend reading on vacation.
And yes, to my friend Nikki, Interview with a Vampire could also be on others’ summer reading lists.