Curious what’s on a book blogger’s summer reading list? Take a peek at my summer reading list for 2020 to find out what books I’m reading this summer.
As I was making the 2020 summer reading list for my readers, I thought it would be a fun idea to share what I’m reading this summer.
My typical summer reading is composed of two types of books: Advanced Reader’s Copies (ARC) and backlist books that I missed.
Generally, I read new releases two to three months ahead of publication. Thus, my summer reading list will look a bit different than yours since I’ll be reading late summer and early fall releases during the first part of the summer.
Although I easily get distracted by shiny new releases, I also like to mix in plenty of books from my to-read list that I just hadn’t gotten to yet.
So scroll on down to see what’s on my rather eclectic summer reading list in 2020.
Upcoming 2020 Book Releases
The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis
Historical Fiction
July 21, 2020
In 1913, Laura Lyons struggles with her traditional role as a housewife until valuable books are stolen from the New York Public Library. In 1993, Laura’s granddaughter is the curator of the Library when books start disappearing again. Amazon | Goodreads
Crossings by Alex Landragin
Literary Fiction
July 28, 2020
A Parisian bookbinder comes across a manuscript with three stories: a letter from a poet, a World War II romance, and the autobiography of a deathless enchantress. A nesting doll of stories similar to David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas. Amazon | Goodreads
Behind the Red Door by Megan Collins
Mystery & Thriller
August 4, 2020
Fern Douglas has an overwhelming feeling of deja vu. The breaking news story is of the recent kidnapping of Astrid Sullivan, who had been kidnapped and eventually returned as a girl. Fern just can’t shake the sense that she somehow knows Astrid. Amazon | Goodreads
Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan
Mystery & Thriller
August 18, 2020
Pediatrician Liz Trenchard doesn’t know what to think when her friend shows up the ER with her injured baby girl and a story that doesn’t add up. Amazon | Goodreads
The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult
Contemporary Fiction
September 22, 2020
When Dawn Edelstein is in a plane crash, her last thoughts are not of her husband, but of a man she hasn’t seen in fifteen years. When she miraculously survives, Dawn begins to rethink her life’s choices. Amazon | Goodreads
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
Science Fiction & Fantasy
October 6, 2020
In 1714, Addie LaRue makes a bargain with the devil to live forever but be forgotten by everyone she meets. After 300 years, she meets a young man who remembers her name. Amazon | Goodreads
The Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell
Mystery & Thriller
October 13, 2020
Life is falling apart for Owen Pick, who’s sadly a 30-year-old virgin. When a young girl with a connection to his neighbor disappears, Owen finds himself the prime suspect, because he’s just the loser type to do such a thing. Amazon | Goodreads

Backlist Books on My Summer Reading List
Smarter Faster Better by Charles Duhigg
Nonfiction
Published in 2016
Having loved The Power of Habit, I bought myself Duhigg’s book on the power of productivity. I’m hoping for great tips and fascinating anecdotes to help me blog more efficiently. Amazon | Goodreads
Content Inc. by Joe Pulizzi
Nonfiction
Published in 2015
Another book for bloggers that I purchased recently, Pulizzi teaches the basics of content marketing. I’m always looking for tips to improve my blog. Amazon | Goodreads
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Classic
Published in 1957
This classic about Rand’s Objectivism philosophy has been sitting in my to-read pile for years. It’s the only book in my library of classics I haven’t read yet. Amazon | Goodreads
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Fantasy
Published in 2011
I recommend this story of dueling magicians all the time because people seem to love it. However, I’ve never actually read it myself. Amazon | Goodreads
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
Science Fiction
Published in 2015
I loved reading Pierce Brown’s Red Rising, a Hunger Games-style story set on Mars. However, Book 2 is never available when I visit my library. This summer, I plan to finally just use my library holds to snag a copy. Amazon | Goodreads
Shoe Dog by PhilKnight
Memoir
Published in 2016
I recommended this memoir about the founder of Nike to my husband, and he really enjoyed it. Now, I need to pick up a copy and read it, too. Amazon | Goodreads
Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
Nonfiction
Published in 2019
I’ve been craving business books for women lately. Having enjoyed Marie Forleo on podcasts, I’m optimistic her book will be just the ticket. Amazon | Goodreads
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Science Fiction
Published in 2016
In my last Book of the Month box, I snagged a copy of this science fiction thriller about alternate realities. Amazon | Goodreads
One Day in December by Josie Silver
Romance
Published in 2018
A romance about love at first sight, chance meetings, and fate, I’m hoping I’ll love it as much as The Two Lives of Lydia Bird. Amazon | Goodreads
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
Romance
Published in 2018
Having loved Katherine Center’s upcoming release, I want to try some of her older novels. This love story is about a woman whose whole life falls apart after a plane crash. Amazon | Goodreads
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
Contemporary Fiction
Published in 2018
I have high hopes for this story about a boy with ocular albinism (red eyes). My friend Maranda loved it, and she has impeccable taste in books. Amazon | Goodreads
What’s on Your Summer Reading List?
What do you think of my summer reading list? What summer reads did I forget to add to my list? As always, let me know in the comments!
More Summer Reading Lists:
Cimmie S says
Hello Rachael, Will be checking out your list @ my local bookstore. You may enjoy Atlas Shrugged. Be prepared to wade through reams of Rand’s philosophy.
As it’s autumn/winter reading here, I plan to read several of Henry James novels. Head bowed to admit I’ve started the same one several times. This time is IT.
If not, well, he wrote other novels. Currently reading Fierce Convictions, a biography of Hannah More, by Karen Swallow Prior. Hannah was indeed of fierce convictions & persistent to boot.
Rachael says
I’m optimistic I’ll like Atlas Shrugged. I enjoyed The Fountainhead, just haven’t gotten around to wanting to read another super long book. I’ve always struggled with Henry James.