The world is a hot mess right now, there’s no denying that. And most of us are under all kinds of personal stress that has nothing to do with the horrible headlines. Obviously, we can’t hide from it all and yes, we’ve got to keep doing our part to make things better. But there comes a point when we’re so burnt out that we’re no longer being constructive.
That’s when we should turn off the news, put our phones on Do Not Disturb, and soothe ourselves with some great reading material.
There are two types of summer books I love: Escapist tales that divert me from my problems and whisk me off to fantasy locales (think daydreamy epic romances, adventurous travel memoirs, and clever whodunnits), and stories that touch my soul and expand my mind. Books in the latter category may not be easy “beach reads,” but they’re reminders that humans can navigate even the worst circumstances with grace and courage.
Whether you’re going for light and breezy, or seeking something deep and transcendent, here are some great summer reading picks. So close that laptop, get out those reading glasses and dive in.
A few of the page turners you may want to pick up this summer
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
This funny and feminist book tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, a single mom and one-of-a-kind scientist in 1960s California whose career takes an unexpected detour when becomes the star of a cooking show. She ends up teaching her students not only how to chop and sauté, but to start a revolution.
Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow
Written by a Memphis native, this spellbinding debut novel traces three generations of a Southern Black family and one daughter’s discovery that she has the power to change her family’s legacy. She also comes to understand why her mother, grandmother and other women before her made difficult choices so that her life wouldn’t have to be defined by loss and anger.
The Power by Naomi Alderman
In this work of speculative fiction, teenage girls suddenly gain the ability to cause pain and even death with their own hands—and the world drastically resets. This unsettling journey to an alternate reality forces us to ask questions about the world we live in and who holds the real power.
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
If you never got around to reading Lahiri’s Pulitzer-winning debut book, do yourself a favor and devour it this summer. These beautifully constructed stories chart the emotional journeys of Indian-American characters who find themselves navigating between the traditions they’ve inherited and the sometimes baffling new world in which they’re now living.
Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst
Career-obsessed Francesca is independent and successful in most areas of her life, but her relationship with her teenage daughter is fraught. Until the two find themselves embarking on an epic summer vacation to trace their roots in Italy. You’ll especially enjoy this family-oriented story if you’ve got teenagers, have ever wanted to roam Italy—or both.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Widow Tova Sullivan works the night shift at an aquarium and is still mourning the loss of her son some three decades earlier. She ends up befriending a—wait for it—a resident octopus named Marcellus McSquiddles, who helps her come to terms with the past in this sensitive, feel-good debut novel.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
This story by Nobel Prize winner Ishiguro features an unforgettable narrator: Klara, an Artificial Friend who sits on a store shelf, observing the behavior of those who come in to browse or pass on the street outside, hoping someone will choose her. The story explores how artificial intelligence might play a role in our futures, and explores the fundamental question: What does it mean to love?
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
This tale of an almost-love-affair begins on the Italian coast in 1962 and resurfaces fifty years later in contemporary Los Angeles. A work of fiction infused with some real-life Hollywood characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who’s ever been fascinated by Liz Taylor and Richard Burton’s tumultuous relationship that began with the making of the 1962 film Cleopatra.
Jazz by Toni Morrison
There are so many brilliant books written by this acclaimed Nobel Prize winner, so it’s hard to choose. But this captivating story, set in 1926 Manhattan, feels right to be reading during a difficult summer. The inciting incident—a door-to-door cosmetics salesman killing his lover in an act of passion—lures you in. But it’s the underlying cultural issues, as well as the lyrical quality of Morrison’s writing—as lush and rhythmic as the music in the title—that keep you there.
The Moons of Jupiter and The Love of a Good Woman, by Alice Munro
If short fiction is your poison, there’s no better writer than the formidable Munro from whom to get your fix. Both The Moons of Jupiter and The Love of a Good Woman magnify the author’s great themes: the unpredictability of love, the passion that leads down unexpected paths, the chaos hovering just under the surface of things, and personal transformation that reveals the regret and longing within all of us.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
In case you missed this best-selling page turner, you have one week until the Reese Witherspoon-produced film comes out! The suspense novel tells the story of Kya, an abandoned girl who raised herself to adulthood in the dangerous marshlands of North Carolina. When the time comes for the “Marsh Girl” to emerge into the nearby community, Kya opens herself to a new life—until the unthinkable happens.
The Soul of a Woman by Isabel Allende
While there are any number of beautiful Allende books to choose from, including her epic novel A Long Petal of the Sea, the writer’s engaging memoir is one of her best. You will love the author’s honest and revealing exploration of womanhood, feminism, parenting, aging and love.
How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang
Zhang’s innovative debut novel is set against the twilight of the American gold rush, where two orphaned siblings find themselves suddenly alone and on the run in a land that refutes their existence. The book turns the American Western genre on its head, courageously exploring the topics of family, culture, immigration and race in an expanding country.
Anna by Amy Odell
If you’re in the mood for a more dishy summer read, this biography of Anna Wintour will satisfy. Odell traces the Vogue matriarch’s steep and relentless climb into the glamorous world of fashion, where she ultimately becomes one of the most powerful people in media.
Finding Me by Viola Davis
This elegant but sometimes harrowing memoir traces Davis’ path from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stages of New York City and beyond. Learning about the trauma that shaped her as an actor, and how hard she had to work to get to where she is today, puts her award-winning work in an even more poignant light.
The Measure by Nikki Erlick
In this recently released novel, every adult across the globe receives a wooden box with the captivating inscription, “The measure of your life lies within,” and the world changes in an instant. People everywhere are faced with the decision of whether or not they want to know how much time they have left, and society must decide how to deal with those whose days are numbered.
Looking for another great way to decompress? Pop in your earbuds and check out the latest conversations on the More Beautiful Podcast.
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