Read Receipts Off, Library Holds On
What we’re reading this summer instead of texting back (preferably in the park, on a rooftop, or somewhere with overpriced lattes)
I’ve always had a soft spot for summer reading lists. They’re part inspiration, part aspiration: the perfect excuse to dig into buzzy new releases and finally tackle that backlist book that’s been silently judging you from your shelf. This year, I was craving a list that’s like your summer fling: a little messy, kinda unpredictable, but impossible to stop thinking about. So, I turned to the most trusted source: our very own Bibliophile Collective community.
I polled the book club crew for their summer picks, complete with juicy quotes on why each book made the cut. Plus, a quick vibe check on what they’re into so you can match your mood to your next page-turner.
This summer’s forecast? High heat, higher page count.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
We’ll kick things off with my summer rec: a murder mystery set at a scenic summer camp that’ll have you double-checking the location of your upstate Airbnb. It’s August 1975 when a camper goes missing, and she just happens to be the daughter of the camp’s owners. Oh, and her brother mysteriously vanished years earlier. The entire town basically works for her parents, and everything is spiraling out of control. Drama, secrets, small-town tension… it’s a total mess (excitedly flips to the first page).
Why I Picked It:
I picked this beauty up a while ago and have been saving it for the warm weather. As a fan of true crime documentaries and literary fiction with a cold-case hook, this lit-fic whodunnit set at a summer camp hits all the right notes. It’s giving Dateline meets Donna Tartt, and I’m absolutely here for it.
What I’m Into: Books that tug at the soul, bend reality, or read like a beautiful breakup letter to the world? Say less.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
An heiress, two clashing writers, and one high-stakes biography collide in Emily Henry’s Great Big Beautiful Life, bringing major “too-hot-for-the-subway” summer drama. Secrets unravel, sparks fly, and NDAs are signed (because of course they are). Take this rec to Central Park and pretend you're eavesdropping on your own scandalous subplot.
Why They Picked It:
Emily Henry always writes a perfect summer beach read (especially considering that she has a book literally titled Beach Read). I always gravitate towards romance novels during the warmer weather and I’m really looking forward to this one!
What They’re Into: Deep feels, love that’s anything but simple, and pages that transport you away from the city noise.
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
A curious artist. A famous painting. Three mysterious figures she can’t shake. When Louisa unexpectedly finds herself the caretaker of an intriguing work of art, she follows the pull of its three subjects on a journey that might just lead her to a quiet kind of happy ending. Fredrik Backman’s latest is made for summer, with just enough intrigue, adventure, and nostalgia to turn any coastal weekend into a celebration of art and unexpected friendship.
Why They Picked It:
I was exploring Little City Books in Hoboken and was so excited to see a new Fredrik Backman booked displayed on the center shelf. A Man Called Ove and Beartown are some of my all-time favorite books. I will read absolutely anything that Backman puts out. His ability to draw me in and keep me reading past my bedtime is unmatched.
What They’re Into: Stories with soul, characters who feel like neighbors, and writing that you’ll cancel plans for… and then read straight through the night.
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
Next, we escape the city with a recommendation which has us navigating Amtrak and hopping on a ferry to Nantucket. In The Hotel Nantucket, a once-glamorous inn is getting a second chance, with help from an eccentric crew, some summer scandals, and a ghost who seriously needs to mind her own business. It’s breezy and a little bougie, aka peak Hilderbrand energy.
Why They Picked It:
Elin is the queen of beach reads! While we aren’t all lucky enough to escape to Nantucket (though I wish), her novels give readers a peek into the fun and exciting life on-island. I can’t wait to pick this one up and transport myself somewhere warm—even if most of our summers are spent in a temperature-controlled environment!
What They’re Into: Beach reads need a love plot, it’s non-negotiable. As the temperature goes up, so should the spice!
Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin
Gilda is going through it. What starts as a search for therapy ends with her accidentally becoming a church receptionist (replacing one who recently died) and secretly replying to the woman’s emails because breaking the news feels like… a lot. This rec is one for the existential overthinkers and any twenty-something currently spiraling in silence. Bonus points if you’ve ever tried to solve your mental health crisis with a well-timed career pivot.
Why They Picked It:
This might be against the grain (and a hot take), but sometimes I find that the best time to read existential stories is in the summer. Maybe it’s the contrast of the positive energy outside that helps me stay level-headed.
I’ve seen this book around, and it’s caught my attention as someone who’s been getting more and more anxious year over year (I’m pretty sure that happens with age… or maybe I’m just telling myself that).
This book explores the complexities of identity, mental health, and the meaning of existence. I’ll let you know if it makes me spiral (it probably will), but I’m excited to read it, change things up, and maybe be a little more introspective.
What They’re Into: Romance with bite, thrillers with drama, and a strong side of “what does it all mean?” vibes.
The Tenant by Freida McFadden
The trap is set in this twisty thriller pick, where one guy's money problem turns into a full-blown nightmare. Blake Porter loses his job and rents out a room in his apartment to a gorgeous stranger who seems too good to be true. Spoiler: she probably is. Creepy vibes start creeping harder, and before you know it, you’re speed-reading on the subway and totally missing your stop.
Why They Picked It:
My mom is obsessed with [McFadden’s] books and got me slightly hooked. A friend calls her books “junk food”: not necessarily the most substantial, but highly addictive and binge-able! Her books are super easy for distracted summer reading sessions in the park or on the ferry ride over to Rockaway.
What They’re Into: Eerie plots, sharp women, and stories that make you question what’s real. If it’s slightly unhinged, it’s going in the tote bag.
The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick
Could you hop a flight to Vegas for glitz, glam, and questionable decisions? Sure! But picking up this fantasy rec is way cheaper and comes with better plot twists. When Ren enters the City of Dreams, she must slip into a world of masks, magic, and manipulation to secure her fortune and protect her sister’s future. She’s a con artist with a conscience, and we love a read where the stakes are high, the vibes are luxe, and the heroine knows exactly how to play the game.
Why They Picked It:
I found this book through social media (like everyone else these days). It was recommended for fans of the Six of Crows duology, and that was all I needed to get on board! I love a dark adventure story, and based on the reviews, this one promises to be a thrilling experience. As someone who reads a lot of fantasy in the summer (and not so much in the winter), I’m excited to add this pick to my TBR and get lost in a new, magical world.
What They’re Into: Magic, mayhem, and middle school nostalgia, plus a dark-academia moment or two. Add a dystopian twist and a thriller audiobook for the commute, and you’ve got their perfect reading day.
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
Finally, we head to the kitchen to learn more about one of the culinary industry’s most beloved icons. Ina’s taught millions to whip up magic without breaking a sweat, all while looking like she just stepped off a Hamptons yacht. Snag this recommendation before hosting your next rooftop happy hour: it’s equal parts inspiring, relatable, and the perfect convo starter for anyone aiming to be the master of laid-back glam gatherings.
Why They Picked It:
Ina has always been my queen. I grew up watching her on Food Network, her recipes were some of the first I tried when I started to love cooking, and her success story is one to admire. I’m excited to hear about her journey from her POV!
What They’re Into: A beach read, a steamy romance, or a thriller set in Nantucket where nothing is what it seems (bonus points if someone vanishes mid–clambake).
Whether you’re beachside, bed-rotting, or sprawled out in Central Park, here’s to a summer of stories that match your main character energy.