12 Cozy Summer Books: A Reading List
Summer is just around the corner, and we are recommending some cozy fiction books to add to your bookshelf; this is a reading list. We’ve combined both classic books and contemporary–either way, all of these stories are the perfect companion for the warmer season.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho
Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
The Keeper of Happy Endings by Barbara Davis
100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons
The Keeper of Stars by Buck Turner
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Classic books to read on vacation
Serling Publishing CO., Inc. | 2016
Anne of Green Gables is the perfect summer book because we fall into a world full of flowers and sunshine. It’s a story about a found family, love, and beauty. Anne’s characterization is also optimistic and inexhaustibly loveable, making her the perfect protagonist to follow. I love how we get to see the world as a playground through her eyes– to slow down and embrace the small things.
Canterberry Classics | 2013
The Secret Garden is another timeless tale about love, beauty and friendship. These children find joy and transformation within themselves physically and emotionally when they discover a secret garden and tend to it. It’s the best summer book to read and I cannot recommend it enough.
Scribner | 2004
Oh, Fitzgerald. What would a summer reading list be without The Great Gatsby? This story takes place during the Jazz Age; we explore friendship, society, and romance in this book during “one of the hottest summers”. If you haven’t read this novel, Nick and Gatsby are the perfect companions for the season because we witness how these two navigate the absurdities of societal pressures and simply seek authenticity.
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc | 2015
This book is a tragedy, but the atmosphere and world created by Wilde is absolutely breathtaking. This story reminds us to reflect on the beauty of summer and nature, while the author explores the downfall of vanity within our protagonist Dorain Gray.
Listening Library | October 24, 2003
This story is perfect for the summer; it’s about a young boy, his dogs, and the adventures they embark on. It’s about friendship and loyalty. It’s the perfect story to pour your heart into.
Modern fiction cozy summer book reading list
HarperAudio | November 16, 2007
Paulo Coelho is a remarkable writer, and this story is about motherhood and individuation. This story will inspire and remind you to remain true to yourself.
Griffin | September 5, 2023
This story is about a cast of unlikely neighbors coming together when tragedy strikes their complex. It’s perfect for the summer because the magical realism elements, including the birds bring forth a sense of wonder and charm; it’s a quick read that truly puts you into the world with a cast of characters that feel like individuals.
HarperAudio | May 3, 2022
This novel is mysterious yet heartfelt. It’s the perfect book for summer if you’re looking for a story about two unlikely friends and some magical realism. This story is a sweet reminder to understand the importance of friendship, especially when plagued by grief.
William Morrow | August 3, 2021
Sara Nisha Adams gives us another story about grief and friendship, but it unfolds in the most heartfelt manner— through the love and community of books. I absolutely fell in love with these characters; we are reminded why human connection is invaluable and help us get through our most difficult experiences.
Lake Union Publishing | October 1, 2021
This is a heartfelt historical fiction romance novel. It’s a book that believes in happy endings and fighting for love, despite the challenges of time passed. It’s about a dressmaker who’s known for creating the most beautiful wedding gowns that lead to happy marriages, but when her hands are burned in a fire, she stops making them. The loss led to the end of her dreams and business, but an unexpected young woman finds her and changes her whole life. She’s then forced to look at the past to remember who she was and what she believed in.
Abbie Emmons | May 29, 2024
This is a young adult (YA) book full of sunshine and hope, making it the perfect summer book. Tessa and Weston meet when she is temporarily blinded by a car accident, he helps her with her blogging since she cannot see. Tessa is frustrated as he is infectiously obnoxious, but he’s hiding something from her. It’s a sweet story with real struggles that each character must overcome.
March 24, 2023 | Kindle Edition
If you’re looking for books that feel like Nicholas Sparks—this is the book for you. It’s a perfectly romantic and heartfelt story. It’s a great book to fall into when you want a pure romance that holds your heart the whole time. It’s about two lovers nearly losing out on their chance of romance, and the secrets that drove them apart in the first place.
That’s the list! We hope you take a chance on some of these stories, and if you do, tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
What makes a good summer book?
We believe that summer books are those set within the warmer months that remind us to stop and admire the beauty of nature. We also love books that explore what summer feels like— the heat, the warm nights; it’s a time we all desire to slow down and enjoy life’s simple pleasures, we want our reading to reflect that. Most of the books on this list are uplifting and believe in beauty, love, and friendship. However, there are times to dive into the other side of life’s reality by exploring books that deal with grief.
Either way, the stories we recommend for a summer reading list will leave you inspired, reflective, and hopeful. We only recommend books we’ve read and that are worth adding to your bookshelf. So, grab one or two of these books for some cozy summer reading.
Happy reading!
