In the midst of summer, as the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, there's a natural inclination to escape into the pages of a book. It's a time when the pace of life seems to slow down, allowing readers to savor each word and immerse themselves fully in the stories unfolding before them. Summer evokes a sense of leisure and freedom, which allows readers to indulge in their favorite genres or explore new literary territories. Whether they are lounging by the beach or reveling in the aromas of a foreign cafe, summer reading is a season of rejuvenation, discovery and relaxation.

With an endless number of shelves lined with portals to another world, bookstores are lining up their best books for the summer. Barnes & Noble has released their Summer Reading 2024 list and the first to read is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, which explores the unique friendship between a grieving widow whose son goes missing and a detective octopus. Remarkably Bright Creatures is charming, witty, and it demonstrates how loneliness can be transformed in exceptional ways. Next on the list is, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune , which is a masterfully told. This enchanting story follows the simplistic and quiet life of Linus Baker who becomes the caretaker of magical misfit orphans from around the world. This novel will leave readers smiling beginning to end and teaches you can find family in the most peculiar places. For readers who enjoy the whispering of pages in a beach side atmosphere then Carley Fortune, This Summer Will Be Different, is waiting patiently on the shelf for you. This Summer Will Be Different is an escape into a coastal summer setting romance many readers enjoy. Tourist Lucy is vacationing in Prince Edward Island and Felix is the local who shows her a good time. After an unforgettable night, Lucy learns Felix is actually her best friend Bridget’s younger brother and as romance sparks and tensions fly . Lucy must fight the romance between her and the local boy from the coast.

If you haven’t heard of Sarah J. Maas then stop what you are doing and head to your nearest bookstore. She has crafted a captivating and immersive universe across her various book series, each brimming with rich lore, intricate world-building, and compelling stories. Listed at the top of must-read lists across numerous bookstores, the first in her ACOTAR series, A Court of Thorn and Roses is not a want but a need on your summer reading list. This trilogy transports readers into the lush and mysterious world of Prythian, within this realm humans and faeries coexist and are bound by ancient treaties. The trilogy follows Feyre Archeron, a mortal huntress swept into the fae lands after killing a faerie disguised as a wolf. Feyre’s story leaves readers entranced as she becomes entangled in the fae courts of Prythian. By the end of her novels, whether the ACOTAR trilogy, Throne of Glass or Crescent City readers will find themselves immersed in her universe for this season and the next.

“BookTok” is a vibrant buzzing community of readers on the social media platform TikTok, dedicated to sharing and discussing all things related to books. BookTok has become a predominant source for book lovers across the globe to connect, discover new reads and share their personal thoughts on what they are reading. As an influential force of a community, it was hard to narrow down the summer reading recommendations from the BookTok circle but these are a few that have sparked readers attention the most: Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan, The House Across The Lake by Riley Sager, Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez and Beach Read by Emily Henry. Nora Goes Off Script is a story about a woman, Nora, whose husband leaves her and her children. As everything around her begins to fall apart Nora rewrites her life and turns it into a movie script. As you skim your eyes over the mystery section search for The House Across The Lake, Riley Sagers psychological thriller tells the tale of Casey Fletcher who escapes bad press at her family's lake house in Vermont. Casey, pairs her bottle of bourbon with binoculars, and becomes fascinated with the glamorous couple across the lake, Tom and Katherine Rocye, who are a mystery of their own. Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez is a modern-day love mess. Justin has a self-proclaimed curse that the entire internet knows of thanks to Reddit. After every breakup Justin’s exes go off and immediately meet their soulmate. Emma slides into his DMs faces the same curse and believes the only way to break it is to date each other than breakup. Emily Henry’s Beach Read is no stranger to the summer reading list, this rom-com explores a romance writer who no longer believes in love and is spending three months next door to a fellow literary novelist, who is also facing writer's block. The two challenge each other’s writing during the summer with no intention of falling in love. The world of BookTok has so many wonderful recommendations for all types of readers and newcomers to the literary universe, I highly recommend scrolling through this community of words and worlds.

Courtesy of TikTok & Pinterest (TikTok Users left to right: @brit.diane, @shay, @.alwaysreadinq)

Books and summertime are a delightful pairing; there is something indescribable about escaping into captivating stories while enjoying the leisurely pace of the season. For some, summer reading brings a sense of nostalgia for summers spent during childhood catching shade under a tree or staying up late to finish one more chapter. There is something so beautifully profound about losing yourself in the pages of a book; summer reading can be a source of entertainment but also inspiration and personal growth. With vacations on the horizon and daily summer activities at hand, a good book is the perfect companion for making the most of the summer months.

Article by Leah Williams, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Bradley Duley, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine

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