Last June I posted “Not Just for Kids” a piece about the joys of summer reading. And as the title suggests, it was a nod to adults to take part in this warm weather activity as well. Teachers often encourage their students to keep up and hone their reading skills over the summer, why shouldn’t adults do the same?
From my journal: June 17, 2025, Newbury Park, California
“…just finished My Friends by Fredrik Backman. I love all of his books! This one was about 4 kids growing up in a blue-collar town who spent a most meaningful summer together…could relate to their fears, their joys…I laughed and cried.“
So far, I’ve read 11 books since June. New releases, old classics, non-fiction, suspense, psychology thrillers, and even romcom. All offering a portal to another time and place. Filled with memorable characters, fun plot twists, and vivid settings, they’ve taken me on journeys without ever having to leave home! And isn’t that just what a good book does?
Although Fredrik Backman’s latest novel has been my favorite so far, a few others have delighted me with their storylines and humor. Being an Agatha Christie fan, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Robert Thorogood’s Death Knocks Twice. This book finds British Detective Inspector Richard Poole stationed on the island of Saint-Marie in the Caribbean. There he is hot on the trail of a suspect in a double murder involving a wealthy family living on a coffee plantation. Rich!
Then there’s Benjamin Stevenson’s second novel Everyone on This Train is a Suspect. A Murder Mystery in the spirit of Murder on the Orient Express except that this one is aboard the Ghan on a trek through the Australian outback from Darwin to Adelaide. A Hoot or should I say Toot!
And yet another Mystery that can also be classified as Romance, Historical Fiction, and Magical Realism. The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods introduces readers to Edie Lane who leaves her life behind in Ireland when she takes a job in France. Due to a mistake in translation, Edie soon discovers the bakery is not in Paris, and neither is she. Sweet!
I love discovering good books and sharing them with others. And I continually peruse websites, best seller lists, magazines, and rely on suggestions from family and friends to choose what I’ll read next. The following books are on my Summer Reading List. And if you’re looking for some recommendations, perhaps one or more of these will tickle your fancy, too.
Culpability by Bruce Holsinger
“A suspenseful family drama about moral responsibility in the age of artificial intelligence.” Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction
Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewel
“Three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller. He’s the perfect man. It’s a perfect lie.” Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Suspense
Empire of AI by Karen Hao
“An eye-opening account of arguably the most fateful tech arms race in history, reshaping the planet in real time, from the cockpit of the company that is driving the frenzy.” Genre: Biography
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
“Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping novel.” Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
“An addictive psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist.” Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Thriller
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
”An evocative read and a powerful portrait of friendship, feminism, and political activism set against three transformative decades in Tehran, Iran.” Genre: Historical Fiction, Political Fiction, Coming of Age
The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb
“A propulsive novel following a young father grappling with unbearable tragedy as he searches for hope, redemption, and the possibility of forgiveness.” Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Saga
Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
“A propulsive medley of glittering gatherings, sun-soaked drama, wisdom and heart, featuring the return of some of her most beloved characters, including, the timeless island of Nantucket itself.” Genre: Romance
We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach & Amanda Doyle
“The guidebook for being alive — to help fellow travelers find their way through life.” Genre: Self-Improvement & Inspiration Philosophy
West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
“An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America.” Genre: Adventure, Historical Saga, Coming of Age
With so many genres, intriguing titles, and descriptions, whatever I don’t get to enjoy this summer, I’ll be sure to add to my Autumn Reading List! After all, reading never goes out of season.
A Journal Journey 