I promised myself I’d spend more time reading in 2024, mostly because I noticed how much time I waste scrolling aimlessly at night. I set a goal of 30 books for the year (no lofty goals here) on Goodreads and started building my TBR to keep myself on track.
Since we’re getting into warmer weather, vacation reads, and beach days, I want to change up my reading list a bit. I asked the Blogilates team for their go-to summer reads, and what’s on their 2024 summer TBR. Hopefully, you’re as excited as I am to read some of these this summer!
What the Blogilates team is reading this summer
Compiling a list from the entire team means we have a lot of variety!
1. Funny Story – Emily Henry
If you spend any time on BookTok, you’ll see Emily Henry on nearly every summer TBR (especially Beach Read and The People We Meet on Vacation). Just released this month, Funny Story is Henry’s latest novel that, rightfully so, was named one of the most anticipated books of 2024. It’s romantic and a fun read, but it will hit you right in the feels.
2. It Happened One Summer – Tessa Bailey
If you love a good rom-com, you can’t go wrong with It Happened One Summer (and Bailey’s second book in the duology, Hook Line and Sinker). A wealthy, Hollywood “It-girl” is cut off from her family and transplanted to a small beach town in Washington to run her father’s bar with her sister. She immediately meets a local who immediately assumes she won’t survive. She is determined to prove him wrong, and that’s where things get interesting.
3. Every Summer After – Carley Fortune
This summer romance novel has everything I want in a summer read. It takes you on a journey from young summer love over two decades, a mistake that caused everything to fall apart, and a weekend to risk heartbreak again. You won’t be able to put this one down.
4. Lessons in Chemistry – Bonnie Garmus
We love a smart, witty heroine story. The main character, Elizabeth Zott, is a chemist who constantly battles sexism and patriarchy throughout her career. After many unexpected changes in her life, she unintentionally lands a role starring in a cooking show and refuses to conform to being the “ideal” show host.
5. Taste: My Life Through Food – Stanley Tucci
For our foodies! Actor Stanley Tucci reminisces about the important role food played in his upbringing and career, sharing stories from the dinner table with his family and on set. It’s funny and overall a feel-good book… that will probably make you hungry.
6. Shatter Me – Tahereh Mafi
Summer reading is usually known for quick, lighthearted stories, but that doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze in a thrilling fantasy (or a few, if you’re reading this series). Shatter Me is intense, romantic, and fast-paced. You’ll be sucked into this series almost as soon as you pick it up.
7. The Hotel Nantucket – Elin Hilderbrand
Literally known as the queen of beach reads, you really can’t go wrong with any Elin Hilderbrand book. In Hotel Nantucket, the main character is dealing with a fresh breakup and becomes the manager of a once-beloved hotel that needs new life (and a new billionaire owner) to restore its charm. Of course, there’s some drama causing this task to be easier said than done. Hopefully your beach chair is nice and comfy, because you won’t want to get up once you start this one.
8. Nora Goes Off Script – Annabel Monaghan
They say when life gives you lemons… turn your marriage collapse into a movie script, film it in your house, and cast a former Sexiest Man Alive as your ex-husband? Yeah, this one is juicy and will keep you hooked as you wonder if a new love story is blooming or if yet another heartbreak is on the horizon.
9. The Women – Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah won us all over with The Nightingale, and her newest historical fiction novel is another page-turner. It’s a powerful, emotional tribute to the nurses who helped fight in the Vietnam War.
10. Lightlark – Alex Aster
For fantasy lovers or anyone just getting into fantasy (like me). Lightlark is the first of a two-book series about an island that only appears for 100 days to host a deadly game among rulers. Think power, deceit, and betrayal, with a little love mixed in.
11. Seven Days in June – Tia Williams
This one is funny, romantic, and sexy. You can literally feel the chemistry between the characters through the book.
What are you most excited to read this summer?
Add to the list in the comments!
If you want more, check out Cassey’s recent book reviews! If you’re more into podcasts, here’s a list of podcasts to pair with your hot girl walks this summer.
