“In summer, living is simple”: how can you argue with Ernest Hemingway? Summer is more than a season, it’s a feeling: sure, nobody likes the heat, but that sense of carefree spirit, lightness, and that desire for vacation typical of this period are pure wonder. Summer is made for finding yourself, for recharging your batteries (and soaking up sunlight), for savoring the beauty of new places and experiencing special emotions. Also thanks to books.
There’s something magical about reading in summer: maybe it’s the way sunlight filters through the pages we flip, maybe it’s the scent of sunscreen when you’re lying under an umbrella reading without interruptions, maybe it’s “simply” the freedom to decide to spend your days just reading… A true sensation of peace and freedom from daily noise that isn’t limited to the beach: there are those who prefer sand between their fingers while their eyes glide between words, but there are also those who choose the cool shade of a tree in the garden or in the mountains, those who take refuge indoors during the hottest hours… Regardless of where, the beauty of reading in summer is that there are no obligations, deadlines, or schedules: there’s only the pure pleasure of losing yourself in new stories.
Every summer situation, therefore, deserves its perfect book, every mood its ideal story. Whether you’re looking for new titles, timeless recommendations, thrills, emotions, magic, or simply faithful company for your relaxing days, here are some reading suggestions that can help make your summer unforgettable.
A Summer in the Name of Love
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” – Jenny Han
A trilogy that has conquered millions of readers thanks also to the success of the homonymous series on Prime Video. The protagonist is Isabel “Belly” Conklin, who measures time passing based on summers spent at Cousins Beach with her family and the Fisher family, particularly with the two sons Conrad and Jeremiah. The novel explores themes like adolescent love, friendship, family, feelings, and self-discovery through Belly’s experiences during beach vacations that will forever mark her life.
“Call Me by Your Name” – André Aciman
In the summer of 1983, in a historic villa in the northern Italian countryside, young Elio and Oliver, an American student, weave an intense and poignant love story, rich with desire, beauty, and passion. One summer, one relationship, one feeling destined to change their lives forever and lead them to discover strong and special things about themselves. After reading it, you can’t not watch the homonymous, and now iconic, film by Luca Guadagnino.
“It Happened One Summer” – Tessa Bailey
Classic story with “grumpy x sunshine” dynamic designed specifically to distract in a light and positive way. The novel features young heiress Piper Bellinger who, after yet another prank, is sent penniless to a remote seaside town where there’s nothing and no one. Except for the grumpy, dark, and extremely charming sailor Brendan: together, Piper and Brendan will learn to discover what true love is and the importance of looking beyond appearances. In case the book particularly captivates you, know that a second title is also available, featuring Piper’s sister and a “colleague” of Brendan’s…
Small, Great Summer Thrills
“We Were Liars” – E. Lockhart
The novel tells the story of Cadence Sinclair Eastman and her group of friends, known as “the Liars,” during their idyllic summers on her family’s private island. During summer 16, however, something traumatic happens that Cadence has no memory of: when the girl returns to the island a year later, she’s determined to shed light on all the secrets of her seemingly perfect family to discover what happened to her and her friends. A story rich with plot twists, dark secrets, and growing tension that combines mystery and drama in an engaging and intense way. A series signed by Prime Video has been adapted from the novel, also not to be missed!
“IT” – Stephen King
A masterpiece of the horror genre that has captivated, and continues to captivate, millions of readers worldwide. A choral novel that revolves around a group of children, the Losers Club, determined to defeat the evil and shape-shifting entity known as Pennywise that terrorizes the town of Derry in the late 1950s, during the summer period (and beyond). The book follows the adventures of the group members as children and as adults, when they’re forced to return to Derry to definitively defeat Pennywise. Writing and structure rich with tension and mystery, where fear and the strength of friendship are protagonists in a tight narrative, perfect for those who want to experience some thrills under the sun.
“The Fury” – Alex Michaelides
Alex Michaelides is known for his psychological thrillers and “The Fury” is no exception: an intricate and complex story that describes Elliott Chase’s vacation on the private island of his great friend and former movie star Lana Farrar. In this isolated and wild context, the pretext of a storm is enough to bring to light grudges and quarrels that will then culminate in a shocking murder. The complex dynamics between characters, secrets, analysis of human nature and relationships, where the boundary between love and obsession is rather fragile, create an atmosphere of plot twists and constant tension that recalls Greek tragedy.
“Wolf At The Table” – Adam Rapp
A story of family, mystery, and adrenaline that crosses time and space to remind us of the power of memories, the influence of childhood, and how family and daily life determine who we are. In the summer of 1951, the town of Elmira and the Larkin family specifically are disturbed by a brutal murder. It’s the first in a series of crime episodes that will shake the Larkins, intent on pursuing the American dream, each in their own way, starting with protagonist Myra. Violence is everywhere and evil and good coexist in the same house: is salvation possible?
Magic, Fantasy, Summer
“The Bewitching” – Silvia Moreno-Garcia
“When I was a young woman, there were still witches”: this is how Grandma Alba always began the stories she told her great-granddaughter Minerva, who has now become a doctoral student specializing in horror literature and engaged in researching the life of author Beatrice Tremblay. Minerva discovers that Tremblay’s most famous novel is inspired by a true story and that the malevolent force that persecuted the author might still be wandering the campus corridors, echoing Grandma Alba’s stories… A novel that blends fantasy and mystery elements, where magic and witchcraft intertwine with everyday reality.
“Katabasis” – R.F.Kuang
The new, highly anticipated book by R.F. Kuang tells the story of two rival university students who must travel to the underworld to save their professor’s soul. The novel belongs to the dark academia genre, blending magic, knowledge, and inner strength in a compelling way, rich with tension and complexity. Coming out at the end of August, it promises to be perfect for those who love personal growth stories correlated with mythological elements.
“Sign Here” – Claudia Lux
Welcome to Hell, literally. Here, Peyote Trip works in the Acquisitions Department and, to carry out his personal plan, is waiting for the last member of the Harrison family to sell him their soul. When the Harrisons retreat for the summer to the family lake house bringing along Ruth, a friend of daughter Mickey, Peyote feels that the long-awaited moment has finally arrived. But when his plan is set in motion, things take an unexpected turn, both on Earth and in Hell, forcing all the characters in this story to face the consequences of their choices among secrets, threats, and a darkness ready to fall on the sunny days of those reading this book…
Summer Vibes Between Inspiration and Positivity
“Great Big Beautiful Life” – Emily Henry
Alice is a young and ambitious journalist and writer waiting for the right opportunity to prove her worth: when she proposes to write the story of the mysterious and famous heiress Margaret, she thinks the moment has finally arrived. But Margaret has yet to decide who will handle her biography and the final indecision involves Alice and a brilliant, well-known, and charming young writer, Hayden. Margaret gives Alice and Hayden a month’s trial to understand who to entrust with her story: under the pretext of writing, the two rivals will discover secrets and shadows of the heiress’s story but, above all, they’ll find love. A novel that celebrates the small miracles that make life extraordinary, through lively characters and touching situations: for a breath of optimism that, in summer, is necessary!
“Verrà l’alba, starai bene” (Dawn Will Come, You’ll Be Fine) – Gianluca Gotto
A story of awareness, resilience, and hope that accompanies the reader to rediscover the value of rebirth through the story of protagonist Veronica, in precarious balance between a relatively perfect appearance and deep, unresolved pain. When she decides to change her life and move to Australia, Veronica thus undertakes a recovery journey, rediscovering her emotional strength and the importance of mental health step by step. The title is a promise of healing and new beginnings, perfect for those seeking a reading that instills confidence in the future and desire to start over: and what better time to do so, if not summer?
“Atmosphere” – Taylor Jenkins Reid
Vacation = escape, and this book is the best way to escape (metaphorically) from Earth and discover the vastness of space. It’s 1980 and Joan Goodwin, professor of astrophysics, is chosen to become an astronaut: together with a group of specialists, she begins a training period in preparation for the first flight. Among friendship, rivalry, complex human dynamics, challenges that go beyond personal limits, and an unexpected opportunity to let herself go to love, space serves as both backdrop and character in a story of discovery and profound humanity. Perfect for those seeking reflective but engaging and pressing readings at the same time to fill summer relaxation moments.
For Those Who Love Coming-of-Age Stories
“Hazel Says No” – Jessica Berger Gross
If returning to school is on your horizon, then this coming-of-age story is for you. Hazel Blum has recently moved to Maine and on the first day of her senior year of high school, she receives an indecent proposal from the principal, who offers her college recommendations in exchange for sexual favors. Hazel says no, obviously, and from here begins a narrative that explores the consequences of this decision on the school system and the town community. The novel addresses important themes like sexual harassment, imposed silence, and the courage to oppose a system that often rewards silence. The story is narrated from different points of view and offers a deep perspective on the post-Me Too era and the difficulties of growing up in an environment that, unfortunately, oppresses young women. Passionate and moving, it’s a must-read.
“The Garden of the Finzi-Continis” – Giorgio Bassani
A masterpiece of Italian literature, it tells the story of a wealthy Jewish family, the Finzi-Continis who live in 1930s Ferrara in a splendid villa with a garden, a pleasant place that the protagonist finds himself discovering and living during hot summers through friendship with the children, Micol and Alberto. But the idyll, innocence, and complexity of human relationships will have to reckon with growing racial persecution and World War II looming on the horizon. The novel explores themes like love, friendship, loss, and confrontation with history, through the protagonist’s eyes: a novel of extraordinary beauty that blends nostalgia, love, and the tragedy of Italian history.
What do you think?