According to my Goodreads app, I’m six books ahead of schedule on my 45-book reading goal for the year. In 2023, I read a total of 40 books, and I thought it was going to be a struggle to make it five books further than that number, but maybe I’ve got it in me after all! I think it’s all about picking the right books for you and your interests so that you fly through them fully entertained. There have only been a couple of duds for me so far this year, but I think those will be the exception. I’ve gotten to know what I love and what I don’t love over the past four years of tracking my favorite (and least favorite) books, which, I think, helps me avoid reading anything that drags uncomfortably. Keep scrolling for a list of the summer books I’ve already read and the ones that I plan to read as the season progresses.

My 2024 Summer Reading List

1. Eruption, by Michael Crichton and James Patterson: This is one that I’ve already added to my “Read” list on Goodreads, and I gave it 4/5 stars. I’ve been a big fan of Michael Crichton books for as long as I can remember, so I was excited to read this posthumous novel. I genuinely loved it, and would definitely read it again. There was so much action and tons of fascinating scientific jargon to absorb.

2. The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig: This will be my first book read by Matt Haig, but I’ve heard good things by other readers online who have similar taste to my own. Based on the description, there seems to be some supernatural fantasy elements, which I’m excited to delve into.

3. Forever Wandering, by Emilie Ristevski: Summer is the perfect time, in my opinion, for a good travel book. This one has been sitting pretty (literally) on my coffee table for the past few months, and I think it’s high time I broke it open for a proper read. Do you read your decorative coffee table books? I love making good use of them beyond just styling.

4. Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano: I’ll be honest…I bought this one purely for the gorgeous cover. Happily, the book comes highly rated in addition to boasting aesthetic qualities, so it already checks both boxes for me. I’m really drawn to novels that focus on family relationships, and this one sounds like it’s saturated with that theme.

5. None of This Is True, by Lisa Jewell: As you may know, I like to alternate my style of books. I’ll read a light-hearted romance, then a thriller, then a fantasy. That cadence helps me keep characters and storylines straight when I’m back-to-back reading. This book is being added to the “thriller” section of my library, and I can’t wait to breeze through it, as I usually do with mysteries and crime books.

6. A Perfect Vintage, by Chelsea Fagan: Do you remember when I was featured as a guest contributor in The Financial Diet back in 2018? Well, I recently found out that the author of that book, Chelsea Fagan, came out with a novel, so I just had to order it! I’ll be sure to update you on Instagram after I finish it.

7. Iron Flame, by Rebecca Yarros: This is what’s currently sitting on my nightstand, and I’m absolutely devouring it. I know people rave about the ACOTAR series, and I love that one, too, but I think I actually prefer the Fourth Wing/Iron Flame books. It feels like the perfect mix of those books, plus Harry Potter and Hunger Games. The dragon element is fascinating. I can’t put it down!

8. The Hotel Nantucket, by Elin Hilderbrand: This is another one I’ve read and loved. I wanted to include it for those of you about to head out on a beach vacation because it’s the ideal beachy hot weather read for a tropical getaway. It’s lighthearted, includes lots of delicious interior design descriptions, and the ghost angle is pretty darn electric. Make sure you pack it with the rest of your coastal-themed luggage.

What are you reading right now? And tell me what’s on your waiting-to-be-read pile, too. I’m constantly ordering and checking out new books, so let me know what you’d recommend so I can add it to my list. If you’d like more book inspiration, make sure you revisit these past blog posts, which are packed with reading inspiration: one, two, three, four, five. Now, please excuse me while I go steal an hour or two to keep working my way through Iron Flame…

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