Here are our top 5 picks for this 2026 Summer season, whether you’re a mystery or romance lover!
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
If you’re a fan of summer romance, chances are you’ve heard of and most likely read an Emily Henry book. I mean, one of her most popular books is literally called Beach Read! So, kicking off our recommendations with Great Big Beautiful Life just felt right. Set on Little Crescent Island, Great Big Beautiful Life follows two writers competing to tell the tale of the notorious heiress, bringing you a sun-soaked setting with a side of page-turning drama. The grumpy-sunshine slow-burn romance with typical Emily Henry witty banter makes this a real page-turner with an emotional payoff, perfect for a beach chair or a long train ride.
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Miller’s ability to retell classic Greek myths with a modern narrative flair is abundantly clear in her bestseller Song of Achilles. Immersing you in the hot sensations of ancient Greece, she tenderly unfolds the love story between Patroclus and Achilles, giving readers a setting and nuanced characters to really sink their teeth into. Functionally a retelling of The Iliad, Miller breathes new life into this old story and tactfully reshapes it into something digestible, transportive, and compulsively readable. This book is perfect for a tropical vacation, but don’t be fooled by its vibrancy; the ocean won’t be the only salty water you’re around by the time you finish it...
June Baby by Shannon Garvey
A heartfelt coming-of-age story set in the golds and blues of summer, June Baby feels warm and cozy while still exploring heavier themes of love, grief, and family. The liminal Summer setting provides the perfect space to explore this book’s core question: how do you transform life in grief from loss to possibility? The transitional period and narrative make June Baby’s mood perfect for the long days and late nights of Summer. Published on May 12, Garvey’s new character-driven novel is a must-read for this transformative Summer.
Kin by Tayari Jones
Tayari Jones brings us another eloquent and powerful novel with Kin, released earlier this year. Sure to stick with you, Jones tackles themes of chosen family, motherhood, belonging, and identity that dig deeper than the typical breezy beach read. Rooted in the Deep South, Kin follows "cradle mates" Annie and Vernice ("Niecy"), who grew up together in Louisiana before their paths diverged, leading them down a sweeping, decades-spanning story. With textures of humidity and small-town life, Jones’s writing carries both weight and ease, perfect for the Summer.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Another critically acclaimed author, Taylor Jenkins Reid lives up to her name with this astronomical page-turner, Atmosphere. Revelling in the ambitious women and astronauts of NASA, Reid bolsters this beach read with her in-depth research and character work. A propulsive and high-stakes book, Atmosphere traverses the turbulent air of navigating gender dynamics, career pressure, and public image. This is the perfect Summer read as it combines illustrious settings with unpredictable plot twists, as well as opens a doorway into Reid’s complex interconnected book universe fit to explore all season long.
Get ready to sit back, relax, and enjoy the unique journeys each of these books has in store for you. The beaches are calling, and these books are ready to take you there!
