2021 Summer Reading List

One of the best things to come out of 2020 was the reigniting of my love for reading. I read a ton as a kid, but like many adults, let it fall by the wayside as life became busier. Being stuck inside for much of last year, finally gave me the chance I’d been wishing for- for more time! Not only did I start reading more, but I started using apps like Good Reads, following “bookstagram” accounts and even a few reading groups on Facebook! I’ve loved learning about different books from people across the internet and by TBR is getting LONG. One of my favorite types of blogposts to read lately have been others’ summer reading lists. I like seeing what others hope to read and being a list lover myself, I thought it fitting to create my own! 😉

My list contains a wide variety of genres (much like I like to read!). I didn’t just stick with typical summery “beach reads” because while I like reading them every now and again, I also like to read other types of books! So you will find a wide variety of genres from nonfiction, to scifi and everything inbetween! I also didn’t include ONLY new releases, because if you’re a library lover like me- the hold times for them could possibly take all summer! So you will find books that are a few years old, new releases and alternatives to those new releases if you aren’t able to get your hands on the newer ones.

With all that being said- here is what I came up with- 27 hopeful reads for my 2021 Summer Reading List! Will I read all of these? Not a chance haha. But for “bucket list” type things like this, I always like to give myself a wide variety so that I can pick and choose what sounds good as time goes on. Feeling forced to read books is a surefire way to make reading feel NOT fun- so use this list to find some new books that sound good to YOU!

& if you want an easy way to keep track of what you read this summer, scroll down for a free printable! I included both a list of these books, as well as blank version if you want to curate your own list.

Disclaimer: I have not read any of these books, but I did “research” them quite a bit and tried to choose books with an average of 3.8 or higher on Good Reads, which I generally tend to enjoy! I am planning on coming back to this list and adding my personal rating after I’ve read each one- I’ll also be sure to share over on Instagram!

Also, all books contain an affiliate link to Amazon, which helps to support this blog, so thank you if you chose to use the link. I did this since it’s accessible to most of us and as a way for you to view a more thorough book synopsis however, defintley check your library or local bookstores for these titles as well!

In no particular order…

1. Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand Elin is known for her beach reads and this one has a whimsical twist that sounds intriguing! Can’t get the new release? I’ve heard great things about 28 Summers too! (update: I liked this one, but didn’t love it. It was an interesting story line but seemed to drag on and I accurately guessed the twist really early on. 3.5 stars)
2. Growing Boldly: Dare to Build a Life You Love by Emily Ley: I’ve read several others of Emily’s books and have enjoyed them, so I’m looking forward to reading this one that encourages you to “live a life you love”. (update: I’ve been reading this all summer and I have to be honest, I’m not finding it very relatable or inspirational)
3. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo: I’ve only heard great things about this YA book which about “the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives”. It’s written entirely in prose which is super unique too!
4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: From what I’ve heard this is a rather “adult” book, featuring faeries and magic…defintley not what I typically read haha. But after hearing SO many women rave about this book, I have to give it a try. And if I like it, it is the first in the trilogy which would be fun to read!
5. Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon: I’ve heard great things about Nicola Yoon’s books, so I chose this new release as my BOTM in May. It is about a young woman who is able to look at couples and see how their love story began, and also how it will end and how this revelation shapes her life.
6. The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman: “A trio of second-born daughters sets out on a whirlwind journey through the lush Italian countryside to break the family curse that says they’ll never find love.” This sounds slightly out there, but I’ve had several friends recommend it and it sounds like a great summer read!
7. The Guncle by Steven Rowley: This one just sounds fun: “A warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer.”
8. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: Emily Henry is known as the queen of vacation beach reads. I’m looking forward to reading both this one as well as her other well known book, Beach Read!
9. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: This is another book out of my normal comfort zone, but this sci-fi novel has amazing reviews and defintley has me curious! It’s about a man who wakes up after “a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home with nothing but two corpses for company, His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, he realizes that an impossible task now confronts him.” This is one that has like 89 holds at my library, so I chose it as an add on in my Book of the Month box– but I’ve also heard wonderful things about The Martian, also by Andy Weir!

10. The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren: The premise of this book revolves around a new DNA-based matchmaking company which caught my attention because I recently read The One with a similar premise (also highly recommend!) This one is much more chick-lit, romance than The One, so I’m curious to compare! Can’t get the new release? The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren is also on my list!
11. The Night Swim by Megan Goldin: I chose this thriller because it features a main character who is a true-crime podcast host, which is a unique perspective for a book!
12. Hostage by Clare Mackintosh: This thriller takes place on a plane over the course of 20 hours during a hostage situation. Might be one to read after any vacations this year 😉 (update: I loved this one! It was fast paced and had a great twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. 4 stars)
13. Untamed by Glennon Doyle: Most people have probably heard of this book by now, but I still haven’t read it! I’m looking forward to it because I’ve heard that it is life changing!
14. The Grace Year by Kim Liggett: This has been in my TBR pile forever! My library doesn’t have it, so I actually bought this one and plan on bringing it on vacation. I’ve seen it described as “Handmaid’s Tale-esque!”. (update: This was SO good. I read it in under 48 hours- and my husband even read it and loved it too! 5 stars)
15. This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel: I’ve heard that this is a must read for any parent. I also have One Two Three by the same author on my list which is a new release this summer.
16. The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin: This story tells the friendship of a 17 year old with a terminal illness and the 83 year old woman she befriends. It’s described as “delightfully funny and bittersweet, heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting.” (update: I would agree with the previous description- it was the perfect juxtaposition of sad and sweet. I liked it but didn’t love it as much as I’d hoped I would. 3.5 stars)
17. Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner: I wanted to include a memoir and I’ve seen this book featured everywhere! It is described as, “an unflinching, powerful memoir about growing up Korean American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity.” (update: not sure how to feel about this one- I enjoyed it, but the story felt a little disjointed and it wasn’t the smoothest read for me. 3.75 stars)
18. Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews: This thriller grabbed my attention because it takes place in the literary world featuring two main characters who are an author and her assistant.

19. Survive the Night by Riley Sager: Sager has written some of the most memorable thrillers I’ve read, so this new release was a must add for me! If you can’t get ahold of it, try Lock Every Door instead. (update: I was super disappointed with this one. It felt SO far fetched and the main character was NOT very bright. 2 stars)
20. Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi: This book tells the story of “An Afghan American woman [who] returns to Kabul to learn the truth about her family and the tragedy that destroyed their lives.”
21. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave: I had major FOMO after not choosing this as my BOTM read and hearing so many rave reviews! A mystery about a woman’s husband who goes missing, leaving his daughter behind. (update: another disappointing read for me. It was super slow and definitely did not live up to the hype. 3 stars)
22. Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica: I love a good thriller! This one is about a few unsolved disappearances and what happens when one of the missing girls turns up 11 years later. (update: This was a good one! But admittedly, I read this at the beginning of the summer and can’t remember a ton about it! I remember I read it quickly & enjoyed it, but the plot isn’t super unique so it obviously wasn’t very memorable to me. 3.75 stars)
23. Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare: “The unforgettable, inspiring story of a teenage girl growing up in a rural Nigerian village who longs to get an education so that she can find her “louding voice” and speak up for herself…”- I’ve heard nothing but great things and it has one of the highest ratings on Good Reads that I’ve seen!
24. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro: I chose this one because Ishiguro is a Nobel Prize winning author. This science fiction novel tells the story of Klara, who is an “Artifical Friend”.
25. That Summer by Jennifer Weiner: From reading reviews, I learned that the cover of this book is deceptive. It covers some heavy topics and themes, and isn’t as much of a beach read as you may think. Jennifer Weiner is also the author of Big Summer which is yet another I would like to read!
26. Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland: According to its publisher, this book is perfect for fans of Dirty Dancing and Schitt’s Creek, which are two of my favorites, so I’m sold!
27. The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard: This one is my husband’s contribution, so I don’t know much about it other than he really enjoyed it and that it has good twists! (update: I really enjoyed this one & read it quickly- it was unique in the fact that you know who the killer is all along and kind of get to see both sides of the story. 4 stars)

2021 Summer Reading List Printable

I created a simple printable to help keep track of the books you read this summer. There are two pages: the first page has all of these books written out and the second page is blank if you want to create your own list!

Click here to download your 2021 summer reading list printable.

Happy summer reading!! If you’d like to save this post to reference later, tap or hover on any image to add to Pinterest!