All the best summer reads from bestsellers to classics to books becoming movies. You won’t want to miss the hottest books for your summer reading list 2018.
Summer is in full swing, and I am busy trying to get ahead on my blog post schedule. However, I thought I’d take the time to share one more book post this summer. Don’t worry, I have plenty of book posts coming in the fall.
Earlier this month, I shared what’s on my summer reading list, but, in case your tastes don’t quite align with mine, today I am sharing this year’s best summer reads. I’ve pulled my summer reading list from the bestseller lists, from the classics, and from my bookshelves.
Be warned, I haven’t read all the bestsellers yet, so I can’t say if they are worth the hype yet or not. So if you’ve read any, let me know what you think in the comments.
I’m sure you’ll find some great summer books to beat the heat this summer. If you love to read, be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter. I have some exciting changes coming to the blog next month that you won’t want to miss out on.
I hope you enjoy my list of this year’s summer reading list 2018!
Best Summer Reads from the Big Screen
Crazy Rich Asians
Kevin Kwan
To kick off our list of the 2018 summer reading list, I decided to pick a few books coming to theaters soon. I certainly plan to read this one before it hits the theaters this year. Kevin Kwan’s debut novel delves into the lives of the crazy rich Asians – those families so rich and pedigreed they practically rule the continent. When Nicholas Young, the most eligible bachelor in society, brings Rachel Chu, his American-born Chinese girlfriend, to the hottest wedding of the season, everyone is in an uproar. With plenty of interesting themes to explore, Crazy Rich Asians is a perfect summer read.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette
Maria Semple
Looking for fun summer books to make you laugh? Sometimes you just need a clever satire, and I promise you’ll laugh at the ridiculous Bernadette, a Seattle-area mom who takes antisocial to a whole new level. As soon as Bernadette referred to the annoying school moms as “gnats,” I knew I would love this book. I’ll be honest, I didn’t love the ending of this book. Yet, the buildup was so much fun that I still like recommending it to others. Although the release was delayed so it belongs to the list of books becoming movies in 2019, you should still add this one to your list of books to read this summer.
The Maze Runner
James Dashner
The Death Cure, the third book in this crazy dystopian series, is coming to theaters soon. If you haven’t yet read the series, this summer would be a great time to catch up. Meet Thomas, a boy who wakes up inside a creepy with no memory of his past. Of course, he must be destined to save the world. Let’s face it, this isn’t the best-written series ever, but I still found myself drawn into the story. If you are simply looking for a fun young adult read or you liked the movies, give this series a try. Just don’t focus too closely on the glaring plot holes.
Best Summer Reads from the Bestseller Lists
The Great Alone
Kristin Hannah
Coming off The Nightingale, her wildly successful World War II novel, Kristin Hannah’s next book explores the untamed wilds of Alaska. A recently returned Vietnam War POW, Ernt Allbright decides to move his family to the Alaskan frontier. At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers and just what Ernt needs. But when the harsh Alaskan winter approaches and Ernt’s mental state begins to deteriorate, his wife and daughter must fight to survive. A captivating, stay-up-all-night novel that is one of the year’s best summer reads.
The Woman in the Window
A. J. Finn
Imagine the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rear Window meets the novel The Girl on the Train. This summer’s hottest psychological thriller peeks into the life of Anna Fox, a New York City recluse who, spying on the family across the street, witnesses a shocking event. With its unreliable narrator and layers of secrets, The Woman in the Window will keep you guessing to the end. I can’t wait to read this best-selling summer book and hope it is worthy of our list of the best summer reads.
Turtles All the Way Down
John Green
Currently sitting at #4 on the New York Times bestsellers list, John Green’s latest young adult novel, Turtles All the Way Down, follows sixteen-year-old Aza as she investigates the mystery of a fugitive billionaire. Hoping to earn the $100,000 reward, Aza and her best friend Daisy befriend his son Davis hoping to find answers. John Green eloquently delves into Aza’s mental health issues with severe anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which makes this novel especially significant for teenagers today.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
Neil deGrasse Tyson
I love how Neil deGrasse Tyson carefully labeled his book as for Astrophysics for People in a Hurry instead of “Astrophysics explained to the ignorant layman,” which is what I would have called it. Just so you are aware, even though this book is tiny, it is not a quick read. Although Tyson does an excellent job bringing the topic down to a beginner’s level, the concepts are so deep that it takes some thought to wrap your head around everything. A great primer on a fascinating subject, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is one of the best summer reads for all the science lovers out there.
Killers of the Flower Moon
David Grann
Having spent 40 weeks on the New York Times bestsellers list, if you haven’t read Killers of the Flower Moon yet, you need to add it to your summer reading list. David Grann investigates the fascinating case of the Osage murders in the 1920s. After discovering oil on their land, the Osage Indian Nation in Oklahoma were among the richest people in the world at the time. Once the death toll surpasses 24 Osage, the newly created FBI takes up the investigation to expose an alarming conspiracy behind these notorious crimes.
Best Summer Reads from the Classics
The Count of Monte Cristo
Alexandre Dumas
If you haven’t read this amazing classic novel yet, you are truly missing out. Dumas’ epic tale of revenge will keep you entertained through all of its 1,000+ pages, making it a long classic worth your time. Wrongfully imprisoned for years, Edmond Dantes successfully escapes a brutal French prison and sets out to get the ultimate revenge on all those who have wronged him. The Count of Monte Cristo is not just one of the best summer reads but one of the top classics to read in your lifetime.
The Stranger
Albert Camus
Having recommended a fun adventure, I felt my next classic book recommendation for the best summer reads should be one to make you think. Enter Albert Camus’ thought-provoking short classic book, The Stranger, the story of Mersault, a seemingly ordinary man without any feelings. After he kills a stranger on an Algerian beach, Mersault is put on trial for murder. On the surface, The Stranger seems like a simple novel, but if you care to look deeper, you can find the roots of many philosophical questions (though few answers).
Best Summer Reads from MY Bookshelf
The Remains of the Day
Kazuo Ishiguro
Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, Never Let Me Go, was one of the disappointing overhyped books I read last year, which surprised me since I loved The Remains of the Day. For all you Downtown Abbey lovers out there, this is one book you’ll love. Stevens, an old English butler (à la Mr. Carson) decides to take a vacation and contemplate his many years of service and his unrealized love for the former housekeeper. A thoughtful portrayal of the importance of balancing personal and work lives, The Remains of the Day is one of the best books to read this summer.
The Secret Keeper
Kate Morton
I have loved every Kate Morton book I’ve read, and this one is simply brilliant. It all starts when sixteen-year-old Laurel Nicolson witnesses her mother Dorothy stab a man to death on a calm summer day. If that doesn’t get your interest piqued, I don’t know what will. Kate Morton masterfully unfolds the back story of Dorothy’s life during the war. The more you learn about Dorothy, the more you’ll keep wanting more. If you love figuring out the twists and turns of novels, you’ll love this book. I, for one, did not guess the ending. If you love World War II novels, this book belongs on your summer reading list.
Private Peaceful
Michael Morpurgo
While I read a ton of World War 2 novels, I sometimes find novels about the First World War even more fascinating, probably because they are less common. This simple but unforgettable story focuses on the lives of two brothers – Charlie and Thomas Peaceful. Tommo, too young to enlist, has lied about his age to follow his brother to the front lines of the war. Told over the course of one night, Tommo reflects on the events of his life and contemplates a grim future. A poignant reminder of the horrible realities of war, Private Peaceful is a powerful book that will stay with you long after you’ve read it.
What are the best summer reads on your summer reading list in 2018?
