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Summer’s first chapter opens on you, with a book in your hand. Where will your summer end? Make it last a little longer with more pages, more worlds, and the best books of summer.
Comforting • Escapist • Swoonworthy
Whether you want messy feelings, sparkling banter, second-chance love stories, or pure beach-town escapism, these romances are made for summer reading.
Expect unforgettable meet-cutes, complicated relationships, oceanside settings, emotional growth, and the kind of chemistry that makes it impossible not to turn the page.
The Night We Met
Abby Jimenez
from $15.98
Our Perfect Storm
Carley Fortune
from $19.49
The Missed Connection
Tia Williams
from $15.98
And Now, Back to You
B.K. Borison
from $13.09
How to End a Love Story
Yulin Kuang
from $5.49
The Romance Revival
Christina Lauren
from $19.89
Hidden Alphas
Victoria Pinder
from $29.99
Funny Story
Emily Henry
from $6.79
Nantucket Second Chances
Pamela Kelley
from $20.29
Heart the Lover
Lily King
from $20.92
The Favorites
Layne Fargo
from $7.29
Kin
Tayari Jones
from $23.60
The Rachel Incident
Caroline O'Donoghue
from $6.79
Atmosphere
Taylor Jenkins Reid
from $10.79
The Calamity Club
Kathryn Stockett
from $25.49
Seven Summers
Paige Toon
from $7.69
Seabreeze Inn
Jan Moran
from $8.99
One Golden Summer
Carley Fortune
from $8.99
Playful • Imaginative • Funny
Whether they’re discovering beloved classics for the first time or diving into dragons, graphic novels, manga, mysteries, and picture books filled with chaos and charm, these are the reads that make growing up feel a little more magical.
These children’s books capture everything great about summer reading: big adventures, silly humor, magical worlds, curious animals, unforgettable friendships, and stories kids want to revisit again and again.
The Going to Bed Book
Sandra Boynton
from $4.49
For the Fans!
Golden Books
from $8.03
Dawn on the Coast
Ann M. Martin
from $10.19
The Hybrid Prince
Tui T. Sutherland
from $9.99
Kpop Demon Hunters
Jessica Yoon
from $13.29
Construction Site: Firefight!
Sherri Duskey Rinker
from $15.83
The Crayons' Book of Manners
Drew Daywalt
from $9.72
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga
Dav Pilkey
from $9.09
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak
from $4.79
Pocket Bear
Katherine Applegate
from $11.99
Forbidden Mountain
Brandon Mull
from $16.86
Diamond Fever: A True Crime Story in the Wild West
Steve Sheinkin
from $15.98
Charlotte's Web
E.B. White
from $3.59
Heartfelt • Nostalgic • Bittersweet
Whether you're revisiting beloved classics or discovering a new favorite, these coming-of-age stories capture all the intensity of growing up: first love, friendship, identity, heartbreak, big dreams, and figuring out who you are when everything feels like it's changing at once.
From summer crushes and emotional friendships to magical adventures and unforgettable self-discovery, these YA reads are the kind that stay with you long after the last page.
Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It
Brooke Averick
from $21.79
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Benjamin Alire Sáenz
from $4.49
Carnival Fantástico
Angela Montoya
from $12.66
The Book Jumper
Mechthild Gläser
from $5.59
Change of Plans
Sarah Dessen
from $17.97
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Jenny Han
from $4.19
Tell Me Three Things
Julie Buxbaum
from $5.09
Fangirl
Rainbow Rowell
from $4.49
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
from $4.39
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott
from $3.59
The Fault in Our Stars
John Green
from $4.99
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky
from $5.19
I Could Give You the Moon
Ann Liang
from $16.47
The Swan's Daughter
Roshani Chokshi
from $17.98
Limelight
Amy Poeppel
from $5.19
The Grandest Game
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
from $10.79
Escapist • Addictive • Atmospheric
Immersive, emotionally intense, and impossible to put down—made for long beach days, vacation reading, and late summer nights spent escaping into magical worlds filled with romance, danger, and adventure.
Fourth Wing
Rebecca Yarros
from $8.89
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas
from $9.39
The Serpent and the Wings of Night
Carissa Broadbent
from $8.89
Quicksilver
Callie Hart
from $8.19
Bride
Ali Hazelwood
from $7.09
One Dark Window
Rachel Gillig
from $15.64
When the Moon Hatched
Sarah A. Parker
from $17.80
Spark of the Everflame
Penn Cole
from $15.29
The Ever King
L.J. Andrews
from $16.63
Phantasma
Kaylie Smith
from $9.39
The Hurricane Wars
Thea Guanzon
from $7.99
White Horse Black Nights (The Godkissed Bride)
Evie Marceau
from $19.88
The Road of Bones
Demi Winters
from $16.48
A Fate Inked in Blood
Danielle L. Jensen
from $8.49
Metal Slinger
Rachel Schneider
from $16.48
Faebound
Saara El-Arifi
from $11.29
Immortal Dark
Tigest Girma
from $8.79
The Book Of Cin
H.M. Wolfe
Out of Stock
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods
Molly X. Chang
from $6.19
That Self-Same Metal
Brittany N. Williams
from $6.19
Lore of the Wilds
Analeigh Sbrana
from $6.09
Alchemised
SenLinYu
from $26.95
Daggermouth
H.M. Wolfe
from $25.92
The Knight and the Moth
Rachel Gillig
from $15.89
Witch Queen Rising
Savannah Stephens
Out of Stock
Grounding • Transformative • Encouraging
If summer has you craving a reset, this is a good place to start. These spirituality and self-help books offer fresh ways to build better habits, quiet anxious thoughts, set stronger boundaries, reconnect with your faith, or just feel a little more like yourself again.
Here are some reads for anyone looking to feel better, live better, and maybe even be a little better.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
from $11.79
The Let Them Theory
Mel Robbins
from $15.19
The Power of Now
Eckhart Tolle
from $5.29
How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay: Tips and Tricks That Kept Me Alive, Happy, and Creative in Spite of Myself
Jenny Lawson
from $19.89
The Meaning of Your Life
Arthur C. Brooks
from $20.19
Beyond Life and Death
Jet Li
from $22.14
The Way of the Wildflower
Ruth Chou Simons
from $18.39
What Grows in Weary Lands
Tish Harrison Warren
from $20.47
Unburdened
Joyce Meyer
from $9.09
Capable
Sissy Goff
from $19.31
How to Start
Jodi Kantor
from $19.65
Start with Yourself
Emma Grede
from $22.59
Making It Without Losing It: How to Stay Motivated in a World Where We Are Never Done
Jess Ekstrom
from $9.09
Yes to You, No to Them
Wallo267
from $16.86
Twisty • Tense • Unputdownable
For readers who want their summer books fast-paced, nerve-wracking, and impossible to put down, these thrillers bring the heat.
From courtroom showdowns and dangerous marriages to missing persons, serial killers, buried secrets, and psychological mind games, these suspense novels are built for reading marathons.
Dissection of a Murder
Jo Murray
from $15.99
My Husband's Wife
Alice Feeney
from $15.59
The Locked Ward
Sarah Pekkanen
from $10.09
Anatomy of an Alibi
Ashley Elston
from $14.69
Caller Unknown
Gillian McAllister
from $16.39
True Crime
Patricia Cornwell
from $12.89
Yesteryear
Caro Claire Burke
from $22.38
Judge Stone
James Patterson
from $11.69
26 Beauties
James Patterson
from $14.19
Revenge Prey
John Sandford
from $18.19
The Crossroads
C.J. Box
from $16.63
The Fourth Option
Jack Carr
from $20.49
Dear Debbie
Freida McFadden
from $11.49
The Ending Writes Itself
Evelyn Clarke
from $20.49
Don't Let Him In
Lisa Jewell
from $7.19
The Housewarming
Kristin Offiler
from $11.19
The Perfect Divorce
Jeneva Rose
from $14.99
Immersive • Intelligent • Unforgettable
For readers who like their summer books to stick to reality, these non-fiction picks cover a lot of ground.
From strange histories and financial crashes to long walks, wild places, hidden stories, and big questions, this list is for anyone who wants to close a book knowing something they didn’t know before. Who says beach reading can’t teach you something?
The Story of Birds
Steve Brusatte
from $25.92
On the Hippie Trail
Rick Steves
from $11.59
A World Appears
Michael Pollan
from $24.33
A Walk in the Park
Kevin Fedarko
from $17.49
Ghosts of Sicily
Mark Harmon
from $20.19
Nobody's Girl
Virginia Roberts Giuffre
from $10.89
We the Women
Norah O'Donnell
from $25.76
1929
Andrew Ross Sorkin
from $14.49
American Rambler
Isaac Fitzgerald
from $23.82
Talking Classics
Mary Beard
from $17.72
On Witness and Respair
Jesmyn Ward
from $42.34
The Last of the Old Breed
Scott Davis
from $20.59
Intimate • Emotional • Unfiltered
Take a peek behind the curtain with celebrity memoirs, music biographies, backstage stories, Hollywood memories, and hard-won reinventions.
Whether you’re here for the gossip, the glamour, the comeback, or inspiring tales of resilience, these books offer a closer look at famous lives and the very human stories underneath.
Stripped Down
Bunnie Xo
from $11.59
This Is Not about Running
Mary Cain
from $20.39
The Woman in Me
Britney Spears
from $5.19
Strangers
Belle Burden
from $22.14
Famesick
Lena Dunham
from $15.29
You with the Sad Eyes
Christina Applegate
from $13.99
Cher
Cher
from $6.89
Just Kids
Patti Smith
from $8.19
The Rolling Stones
Bob Spitz
from $25.49
Phases
Brandy
from $21.79
Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!
Liza Minnelli
from $12.99
Simply More
Cynthia Erivo
from $4.69
Expansive • Thrilling • Transportive
These selections deliver epic adventures, cinematic storytelling, and binge-worthy pacing that make them ideal for summer travel, weekend getaways, and readers looking for fully immersive escape reads.
Project Hail Mary
Andy Weir
from $17.25
Red Rising
Pierce Brown
from $13.99
The Will of the Many
James Islington
from $14.69
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Matt Dinniman
from $15.09
The Way of Kings
Brandon Sanderson
from $12.26
Empire of Silence
Christopher Ruocchio
from $16.29
Leviathan Wakes
James S.A. Corey
from $9.59
The Blacktongue Thief
Christopher Buehlman
from $15.83
The Blade Itself
Joe Abercrombie
from $12.69
Children of Time
Adrian Tchaikovsky
from $16.47
The Lies of Locke Lamora
Scott Lynch
from $8.09
The Tainted Cup
Robert Jackson Bennett
from $16.02
All Systems Red
Martha Wells
from $9.39
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
Shannon Chakraborty
from $13.99
The Spear Cuts Through Water
Simon Jimenez
from $16.25
The Rage of Dragons
Evan Winter
from $12.09
The Fifth Season
N.K. Jemisin
from $7.99
Chain-Gang All-Stars
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
from $11.49
Moon Witch, Spider King
Marlon James
from $7.29
Master of Poisons
Andrea Hairston
from $5.79
The Saint of Bright Doors
Vajra Chandrasekera
from $7.59
Witch King
Martha Wells
from $7.29
Blood Over Bright Haven
M.L. Wang
from $15.09
The Devils
Joe Abercrombie
from $15.29
Katabasis
R.F. Kuang
from $17.49
Atmospheric • Immersive • Transportive
From old Hollywood glamour and Prohibition-era intrigue to pirate queens, ancient empires, wartime resistance, and windswept islands, these historical fiction picks sweep readers into richly detailed worlds full of ambition, danger, heartbreak, and reinvention.
Whether grounded in real history or inspired by forgotten legends, these stories bring the past vividly to life—and make it impossible not to disappear into another era.
The Intrigue
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
from $23.21
The Chateau on Sunset
Natasha Lester
from $14.89
Fire Sword and Sea: A Novel
Vanessa Riley
Out of Stock
Daughter of Egypt
Marie Benedict
from $16.23
The Jaguar's Roar
Micheliny Verunschk
from $11.19
The Girl with a Thousand Faces
Sunyi Dean
from $15.83
The Seven Daughters of Dupree
Nikesha Elise Williams
from $20.49
Now I Surrender
Álvaro Enrigue
from $22.38
The Foreshore
Samantha York
from $18.58
A Fortune of Sand
Ruta Sepetys
from $23.27
Skylark
Paula McLain
from $13.59
Tea and Alchemy
Sharon Lynn Fisher
from $13.79
Meet the Newmans
Jennifer Niven
from $10.19
The Offal Boy
Trudy Krisher
from $11.51
Murder in Purple and Gold
Lindsey Davis
from $23.26
Love Lane
Patrick Gale
from $21.99
The Dreadfuls
A. Rae Dunlap
from $20.71
A Slow and Secret Poison
Carmella Lowkis
from $17.09
John of John
Douglas Stuart
from $21.35
Vigil
George Saunders
from $20.92
Storm of Mercia
M.J. Porter
from $16.69
The Storyteller’s Secret
Sophie Austin
from $15.83
Summer of Love
Kerri Maher
from $22.59
Spooky • Unnerving • Creepy
Trade sunny romances for sinister secrets. These Summerween favorites are packed with haunted houses, creepy creatures, supernatural mysteries, and deliciously unsettling twists, perfect for readers who like their summer with a side of goosebumps.
Fabulous Bodies
Chuck Tingle
from $21.10
A Sorceress Comes to Call
T. Kingfisher
from $13.59
Bride
Ali Hazelwood
from $7.09
One Dark Window
Rachel Gillig
from $15.64
The Devils
Joe Abercrombie
from $15.29
The Intrigue
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
from $23.21
Slewfoot
Brom
from $15.09
The Farewitch of Foxe Holler
Ellen Pauley Goff
from $16.63
The Only One Left
Riley Sager
from $7.49
The Winter Folk
Jen Julian
from $16.50
The God of the Woods
Liz Moore
from $10.79
When the Wolf Comes Home
Nat Cassidy
from $15.09
Phantasma
Kaylie Smith
from $9.39
Delicious Monsters
Liselle Sambury
from $4.69
How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House
Jenny L. Howe
from $12.13
Small Spaces
Katherine Arden
from $4.49
Blood in the Water
Tiffany D. Jackson
from $9.99
Don't Turn Out the Lights
Jonathan Maberry
from $4.29
Solve Your Own Mystery: The Monster Maker
Gareth P. Jones
from $8.99
Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed
José Pablo Iriarte
from $5.89
Dare to Be Scared!
Stephen Shaskan
from $4.89
The Haunted Playground
R.J. Palacio
from $16.70
Creepy Carrots!
Peter Brown
from $5.59
Recommended Articles
Find Your Summer Escape: Endless Summer Reads
There’s something magical about summer—long days, warm evenings, and the perfect opportunity to unwind with a great book. Whether you’re lounging poolside, heading out on vacation, or simply enjoying a quiet moment at home, choosing the right summer books can transform your break into an adventure. At ThriftBooks, we make it easy to find books for summer that match your mood, interests, and reading goals. Explore our curated collection to discover fresh releases, timeless favorites, and hidden gems across every genre.
What Makes a Book Perfect for Summer?
Books for summer are all about immersion and enjoyment. The best books on summer reading are those you can’t help but reach for—stories that capture your imagination, lighten your mood, or whisk you away to new worlds. Whether you crave fast-paced thrillers, heartfelt romances, thought-provoking fiction, or inspiring nonfiction, there’s a summer read to match every reader’s taste. Let’s dive into some top picks to help you build your ideal summer reading stack.
Relax, Recharge, and Discover: Summer Books by Genre
Heartfelt Romances & Feel-Good Fiction
- Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry is an uplifting new novel perfect for those who love witty banter, charming characters, and a story that feels like vacation in a book. If you want a feel-good escape, this is a summer must-read.
- The Love Haters by Katherine Center delivers the kind of heartfelt romance and authentic character growth that make for irresistible summer reading—ideal for fans of warm, hopeful stories about love and second chances.
- My Friends by Fredrik Backman explores life, friendship, and the connections that carry us through. Backman’s signature warmth and wit make this a moving companion for quiet summer evenings.
Gripping Thrillers & Mysteries for Summer Nights
- Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham is a twisty, edge-of-your-seat thriller perfect for readers who love unraveling secrets under the summer stars.
- The Tenant is a suspenseful mystery that will keep you guessing until the last page—a great choice for fans of atmospheric, page-turning summer books.
- Never Flinch by Stephen King delivers the master storyteller’s signature blend of suspense and psychological depth, making it an unmissable pick for anyone who likes their summer reads with a side of chills.
- The End of the World As We Know It gathers new tales inspired by King’s classic, offering dark thrills and thought-provoking stories that are perfect for late-night reading.
Epic Adventures & Fantastical Escapes
- Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins takes readers back into the world of Panem—an essential pick for anyone craving high-stakes adventure and immersive world-building this summer.
- Hunger Games Series 1-5 is the ultimate binge-read for summer, letting you experience all the action, intrigue, and drama of Suzanne Collins’s bestselling dystopian saga.
- Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by Victoria Schwab offers a haunting, imaginative journey—perfect for readers who love stories with a touch of the supernatural or gothic flair.
- The Emperor of Gladness invites readers into lyrical fantasy and rich storytelling, an ideal companion for those lazy summer afternoons when you want to get lost in another world.
Inspiring Nonfiction & Life-Changing Ideas
- The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins shares a practical, empowering approach to living with less stress and more joy—perfect for anyone looking to reset and recharge over summer.
- Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid blends memoir and inspiration, exploring the environments and moments that shape us—an uplifting pick for self-reflection and personal growth.
- Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts invites readers to reconnect with the natural world, making it a calming, restorative read for anyone seeking perspective during the busy summer months.
Summer Reading for Every Mood and Interest
Not sure where to start? Consider what kind of experience you want from your summer books:
- Chasing adventure: Dive into Sunrise on the Reaping or the complete Hunger Games Series 1-5 for high-stakes entertainment.
- Looking for love or laughter: Pick up Great Big Beautiful Life or The Love Haters for romance and humor.
- Wanting suspense and thrills: Try Never Flinch, The Tenant, or Forget Me Not for mysteries that keep you up late.
- Seeking inspiration or self-discovery: Explore The Let Them Theory, Atmosphere, or Hidden Nature.
- Longing for poetic or literary escapes: Let The Emperor of Gladness and Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil transport you.
Tips to Get the Most from Your Summer Reading List
- Mix it up: Combine genres—try a romance, a thriller, and an inspiring memoir to keep things fresh all summer long.
- Set a summer reading goal: Challenge yourself to read a certain number of books or explore new authors from our summer collection.
- Share the fun: Start a summer book club with friends or family, or swap recommendations to discover new favorites together.
- Keep a book handy: Whether you’re traveling or relaxing at home, a great book is always within reach with ThriftBooks’ affordable selection.
Find Your Next Great Read with ThriftBooks
Summer is the perfect time to rediscover your love of reading. With so many books for summer to choose from, ThriftBooks helps you find stories that match your mood, inspire your imagination, and make every day feel like a getaway. Browse our handpicked selection of summer books to build your own personalized reading adventure—whether you’re after heartwarming fiction, pulse-pounding mysteries, or transformative nonfiction, you’ll find it here. Start exploring today and make this your best summer of reading yet!