Best Summer Reads 2025

The time of the season when the sun is shining needs material in the form of narratives that stay with you long after the final page is turned. Whether you're looking for the best summer book reads, literary moments from poetry books, or just summer good books, this list of the best summer reads 2025 will make your summer longer and hotter. From poignant fiction to touching stories of growth and discovery, these best books of summer are all about slowing down, feeling more, and remembering why we love to read.

The Best Summer Reads 2025

Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell

A standout in recommended summer books, Nesting is about a woman who is making a new life for herself after leaving behind all she knows. It's intimate, bold, and beautiful writing, an excellent read for this summer that lingers long after the final chapter.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Zevin's masterpiece has been one of the best summer reads for a reason. It's a tender exploration of creativity, friendship, and ambition, one of those books for summer that tells you how beautiful it is to find purpose through connection.

The Lost Lover by Karen Swan

When it comes to great summer reads, Karen Swan is always on the money. The Lost Lover is a combination of emotion, secrets, and second chances that captures the bittersweet emotion of love under changing skies. It's one of the best summer books to read this year.

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

Family, grief, and renewal are all woven together in Blue Sisters, one of the strongest summer books on this list. Mellors writes with warmth and wit and builds a tale that is ideal for those on the hunt for good summer reads that move the heart.

The Getaway by Ross Armstrong

If you're interested in books to read this summer with the feeling of suspense and energy, then The Getaway is a getaway with an intrigue that will take you far. It's sharp, addictive, and easily one of the best summer reading books for thrill-seekers.

How To Be True by Daisy May Johnson

This lovely story of bravery and friendship is ideal for readers who enjoy positive stories. Johnson's humor and lighthearted storytelling make this one of the best books for summer and one that is also fun for all ages.

No Season But the Summer by Matilda Leyser

Poetic and introspective, this novel reveals issues of identity, family, and self-discovery. It's one of the greatest summer reads for thought-minded readers who crave meaning on every page.

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

With her trademark blend of romance and magical realism, Serle is responsible for another undeniably unforgettable love story. Expiration Dates becomes one of the summer's best reads, combining fate and heartbreak with surprising tenderness.

Count My Lies by Sophie Stava

A fresh voice in contemporary fiction, Stava's debut explores the truth, identity, and secrets we keep. It's emotional but accessible, one of the best books about summer and finding yourself in difficult times.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

An award-winning modern classic for all lists of best summer books, this tale of art, grief, and sibling love glistens with color and hope. It's one of those timeless books about summer.

Final Thoughts

Each of these titles makes it onto the summer's hottest titles, not because of their plots, but because of how we feel when we read them. From light summer reads that are easy reads to great summer books that make you think, these are the best books to read this summer, packed with light, laughter, and new beginnings.