For me, summer is the season that I love to read the most. I love to sit on my patio with a good book and an icy drink and dive into a book. After I finish a book I’ll spend hours on Google trying to find my next read scouring must-read lists or seeing what books Reese Witherspoon or Oprah recommends. So, I decided to compile a list of some of my favorites and hope this guide might help you find your next summer read!
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
A beautiful story of life, love, and loss in Cuba told from the perspective of two women at two different times – one in the present day and one in the late 1950’s/1960’s. The love stories told within the story were mesmerizing and I love how the author incorporated a lot of Cuban history into this novel. I could not put this book down. A must-read for sure!
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
This book is based on the ancient Toltec wisdom and reveals four ways to finding personal freedom. This book was so powerful and gave me so much to think about.
A Certain Smile by Francoise Sagan
Seriously one of my favorite books of all time. No reading guide is complete without it. Written by a 20-year old French author in the 1950’s this novel tells the story of a young French girl in Paris who is bored by her studies, restless, and is curious about love. Need I say more? Only 132 pages so you just might finish it in one sitting!
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
This is a fascinating book about a quirky but lonely woman who is wrestling with a traumatic childhood. Through a relationship with a man named Raymond she begins to learn how to deal with her traumatic past and understand who she really is. Super unique and charming.
Shortest Way Home by Miriam Parker
A young college graduate makes a life changing decision to follow her heart and not her career. Set in the Sonoma Valley this book is perfect for a beach read and is really light and fun. Super predictable and reminds me slightly of a Nicholas Spark novel. Overall an enjoyable read.
The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner
This travel memoir takes you all over the world as the author investigates where happiness is found. From Switzerland to Qatar to India I learned what happiness means in different parts of the world. As a travel enthusiast and someone eager to learn about different countries this book was a winner.
Viral Parenting by Mindy McKnight
This book is a guide to raising safe, responsible, and communicative kids in the digital age. The author shares practical tools for creating family rules for kids of all ages regarding their online habits. This book is perfect for all parents raising kids in today’s world.
The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi
An Indian girl leaves India for the U.S. and after 7 years away she is going back to break the news to her family that she is engaged to an American man. As someone married to an Indian man who went through the same thing when he told his family about me I could really relate to this book. It is a great way to learn about the Indian culture and their traditions.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A super popular book that many may have already read but I had to put it on the list. The book shares the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who longs to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different than he ever imagined. This book is a classic and a book everyone must read during their lifetime.
Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro
When the author, Dani Shapiro, discovers by accident that the father who raised her was not her biological father, she embarks on a profound journey of understanding who her father was. This story was gripping and really forced me to think about the meaning of parenthood and family.
If you have read any good books please share in the comments section below. What books are in your reading guide? I love a good recommendation. Happy reading!
