The Perfect Summer Reads to Make Your Holiday Last a Bit Longer

Hello everyone! I hope that you month of August is going great! I haven't posted in the last two weeks, and that is because I was on holiday in Greece with my family. But I am now rested and ready to get back to work.

Since I am still in a bit of a summer mood (despite the terrible weather we are having here), I thought this would be a good time to recomend some nice summer reads to make your summer longer.

I had a bit of a struggle to define what a summer read was for me. The obvious choice was to say books that take place in summer, but I find that I often think of books I read during the summer as a 'summer read' - even when said book is a dark academia novel that takes place in the middle of autumn or winter!

For this list, I decided that I was looking for books that either took place during summer, or in which the characters traveled, or just all around feel-good books that would make your summer fun and relaxing. I came up with five perfect books that fit these categories.

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Malibu Rising

Taylor Jenkins Reid has a particular talent for writing compelling and complex stories that you never want to stop reading.

If you have read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you will have heard of Mick Riva, famous singer and former husband of Evelyn Hugo. In this novel we follow his children, the ones he has abandonned on his way to stardom. On the night of the Riva's famous end of summer party, a fire starts in their Malibu House. This novel follows the events that occur that day and that lead to this disastrous moment.

If you want to read about surfing, californian summers and celebrities, this is the perfect book for you. It is both emotional and fun, and you will fall in love with each of the Riva kids.

As usual, I devoured this book and could not put it down. If you know some of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books, then you will know what I mean by that. It is a great summer escapism book and it will make you want to go to Malibu ASAP!

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

For me, To All the Boys is one of the best YA romance series, mostly because it does not feel like a romance series. It follows most of the popular tropes, with fake dating and misunderstandings, but it is so much more than that.

For starters, the main character Lara Jean is so sweet - and I will admit, very relatable - which makes the books much more enjoyable. One of the issues I have with the last two movies might be that she was changed to much, and not for the better. Her once sweet and loving disposition is turned into selfish and self-centered traits that completely change who Lara Jean really is.

In the books, she is simply a teenager who is afraid to fall in love, and who experiences her first relationship. It is sweet, easy to read, and will leave you with a nice warm feeling in your chest.

There is nothing better than to pick up this book and enjoy it while relaxing by the pool.

Beach Read

With a title like this one, it had to make the list of summer reads! It is literally made to be read on the beach - or in my case, by the pool, I am not a huge fan of the beach. It is also another romance novel; maybe romance novels just have that feel good factor that makes them a perfect summer book?

This novel follows January Andrews, who moves to her father's cabin, hoping to write her next romance novel before the deadline drops. When she finds out the her neighbour is none other than Augustus Everett, a literary writer and her college nemesis, and that he is also struggling with his deadline, the two of them strike a deal: they will swap genres and write novels that the other usually publishes.

Maybe I am a bit biased, and the reason why I loved this so much is because I loved seeing a romance between two authors (though I think I might be more of an Augustus than a January). Emily Henry crafts an amazing relationship between her two main characters, and it is absolutely amazing to see them slowly but surely fall for each other and admit their mutual attraction.

It is a perfect book for the summer, as their relationship develops over a few months until their deadlines in September. It is sweet and happy (with a very healthy amount of sadness of course).

Heartstopper vol. 3

In terms of feel good books, Heartstopper is probably at the top of the list. While it also deals with incredibly difficult subject, there is always some sweet undertones that make the story so enjoyable to read.

I would recommend reading all of them as a treat during the summer, but especially the third volume. In it, Nick, Charlie and all of their friends travel to Paris with their school and end up enjoying the beautiful sights together. It is a beautiful book with romance, great friendships and filles with beautiful moments that will make your heart melt.

And since it is a graphic novel, you can binge read them all in only a few hours without having to leave your chair by the pool/beach.

Wayward Son

This one is a little treat for all of the fantasy lovers out there. I think that out of all the genres, fantasy might be the most ambivalent one. It can be read any time of year!

However, Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell might be one that is best read in summer. If you are a fan of the Simon Snow series, wiht the first book being Carry On, you will know that this takes place during a summer road trip. Between magic, weird cults, and the aftermath of Carry On, Simon and Baz find themselves on a road trip throughout the US to go find their friends.

It is such a fun read, and with the last installement in the series coming out, it is the perfect time to catch up on these beloved books.

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And so, here are my five summer read recommendations. There are so many other books that I could have put in this list. As I have said earlier, most romance books could fit into this category since they are all happy and sweet reads. What are your favourite summer books? Let me know in the comment or send me a message on Instagram!

Until next time, xx