Lorrie's 2025 Endless Summer Reading Guide
This introduction to this post lives on my Substack where I share my definition of summer reading, how I’m intentional about creating awesome summer reading vibes, and what I considered while curating this list. If you haven’t read it yet, you can check it out HERE. Enjoy!
NOTE: Books with an * next to them denote the titles I’ll reach for first within each section.
Literary Fiction
Elizabeth Barnhill of Fabled Bookshop recommended all four of these books after reviewing a list of my personal favorite books. She adores all four of these titles, and the last two were already on my TBR.
*These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner (1998) Compared to Lonesome Dove and references Willa Cather on the cover (author of my favorite book, My Antonia). SOLD.
Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall (2025) Everyone is talking about Broken Country all over the internet. Reese’s current pick. Literary and mystery in one. Elizabeth Barnhill thinks this will be one of her favorite books of the year.
Time of the Child by Niall Williams (2024) Ironically, takes place during the Christmas season in an Irish village so clearly won’t be on anyone else’s summer lists! Says it’s life-affirming! Author of This Is Happiness which is one of my absolute favorite books. Due to gorgeous writing, that wasn’t a fast read and I don’t assume Time of the Child will be either, but I’m sure it will be worth it!
I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger (2024) Written by the same author who wrote Peace Like a River which I love and it’s got some dytopian elements so I’m intrigued. Hope in the face of grief seems to be a big theme.
Historical Fiction Which is Also Literary
Elizabeth Barnhill recommended the first two selections in this category.
Greenwood by Michael Christie (2021) A family saga with trees playing a big part in the narrative. Barnhill knows I love a book with landscape as an essential element of the story.
Chenneville by Paulette Jiles (2023) By the author who wrote the excellent News of the World. This one is post-Civil War and involves the frontier, and a man on a horse. I’m IN!
*Still Life By Sara Winman (2021) This was pressed into my hands by my OG teaching, writing, and art mentors (Hi Joni, Gina, and Marolyn!) with whom I was in my first book club years ago. People, these are major league readers and I trust any of their suggestions. The story that takes place in Tuscany, 1944. A young English soldier finds himself in the wine cellar of a deserted villa. There, he has a chance encounter with Evelyn Skinner, a middle-aged art historian who has come to Italy to salvage paintings from the ruins and recall long-forgotten memories of her own youth.
Thriller/Suspense Which is Also Literary
I heard about both of these books from podcasts. Everyone is talking about Flashlight!
*Flashlight by Susan Choi (2025) From the publisher: A novel tracing a father’s disappearance across time, nations, and memory, from the author of Trust Exercise.
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) From the publisher: Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore.
Fiction That’s Not Fluff But Works Well Beside Any Body of Water With or Without Distractions
The Book Club For Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick (2025) This is one of three books I have already read (for Laura Tremaine’s Secret Stuff Book Club) and I gave it five stars. It’s 1963 and a group of women create a book club to read Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystic. Touching and funny at the same time with all the details wrapping up nicely in the end. I’m a 1963 baby and The Feminine Mystic was assigned reading at Occidental College so this was a sweetspot setting/era for me.
*The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Johnson (2024) Many of you have probably read this one and everyone I know says it’s a delight! From the bestselling author of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, this takes place in a post-WWI British village.
Run For The Hills by Kevin Wilson (2025) This is a family saga, roadtrip across America book.
Dear, Dear Epistolary Novels
*The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) Already a bestseller. Ann Patchett blurbed it and loves it! I heard about both of these books on the podcast, From the Front Porch. Annie B. Jones is gifting The Correspondent to friends and family. She loves it so much she wants a copy sitting on her shelf. Plus, it reminded her of another top ten favorite novel in letters from 2013. I love flying through the pages in epistolary novels!
Frances and Bernard by Carlene Bauer (2013) This is still one of Annie B. Jones’ favorite books! It also sounds kinda spicy in the romance department! Reading The Correspondent reminded Annie to revisit this book.
Nonfiction/Memoir
A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko (2024) We are rafting down the Grand Canyon again this summer so A Walk in the Park is perfect. I’ve recommended this before, but we saw the author speak earlier this year, and he’s so dynamic. His other book, The Emerald Mile, about the fastest dory run down the Colorado is stunning and not to be missed.
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams (2025) I love a good rant about social media. From the publisher: An explosive memoir charting one woman’s career at the heart of one of the most influential companies on the planet, Careless People gives you a front-row seat to Facebook, the decisions that have shaped world events in recent decades, and the people who made them.
*A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhurst (releases on 7/8/25) This true adventure/psychological thriller sounds totally unbelievable! From the publisher: The electrifying true story of a young couple shipwrecked at sea: a mind-blowing tale of obsession, survival, and partnership stretched to its limits. I can’t wait to read this.
Lorrie’s Curated Summer Stack That’s Helping Her Decide if Writing is a Beloved Hobby or Something MORE!
One of my summer projects is to figure out what the heck I’m doing with my writing life. Is this a hobby? Is publishing any of my words something I really want to pursue? I plan to journal my way through this question and hope these books will help me find some answers.
Maybe you won’t read any of these books about the creative process, but maybe you’ll consider curating a flight of books that might help you answer a question you need to consider.
The Wild Why: Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your Wonder by Laura Munson (2025)
Take Joy: A Writers Guide to Loving the Craft by Jane Yolen (2006)
The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad (2025)
*Dear Writer: Pep Talks and Practical Advice for the Creative Life by Maggie Smith (2025)
The Way of the Fearless Writer: Mindful Wisdom for a Flourishing Writing Life by Beth Kempton (2023)
Dang! I Can’t Believe I Haven’t Read These Backlist Beauties!
*Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (2023) This book is #9 on the New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century List and also #9 on the New York Times Readers Choice list as well! Does that mean it’s the best book of the century? I loved Klara and The Sun, but haven’t read any other Ishiguro so that’s why The Remains of the Day (2012) is also on this list (the movie was great, too).
Babel by R. F. Kuang (2023) I loved Yellowface and Kuang has a new one coming out near the end of the summer. I’ve got to read this one first! From the publisher: a novel that that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British empire. Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal.
Horse by Geraldine Brooks (2022) One of my favorite book buddies is my friend, Dana Hunt. She rolled her eyes when she found out I haven’t read this book. It’s also time, but Dana! Do you see how many books are already on my must read list? From the publisher: A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history
Nonfiction Mental and Physical Health
Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict by The Arbinger Institute (2006) This is another reread for me. I try to read this once a year. Our family read this when our daughter was in high school and it’s been life-changing. Seriously. It’s helped us learn how to see each other’s different perspectives and not cling to being right all the time. One caveat is that it’s horribly written. I mean terrible, but the message is so good that I can overlook it.
Super Agers: An Evidence-based Approach to Longevity by Eric Topol (2025) I heard about this book on an episode of Armchair Expert and I liked Dr. Topol’s balanced approach. My husband and I are in our 60’s now and health is a priority. There’s a cookbook companion as well.
Poetry for the Iambic Pentameter in Us All
Poetry is part of my quiet morning reading that’s a bit more reflective and prayerful.
*Joy: 100 Poems edited by Christian Wiman (2019) One of my Substack friends recommended this book as the editor has also created an anthology of poems about home. Since my word for 2025 is joy, this is the edition that captured my attention.
How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope edited by James Crews, Forward by Ross Gay (2021) This has been on my bookshelf for about two years. It’s time I crack it open as I think it’s a great companion for the joy book.
NOTE: See the Picture Book section below which also includes poetry.
Jesus Books for Quiet Mornings Before Anyone Else is Awake
These selections are definitely faith-based so move along if they’re not for you, but I love dipping in and out of Christian books when I wake up in the morning.
*Windows of the Soul: Experiencing God in New Ways by Ken Gire (1996) From the publisher: Windows of the Soul will open your eyes to a fresh way of seeing, hearing, and enjoying the presence of God in your life. A dear friend recommended this book to me because I think she believes I’ll see a parallel between some of the content in this book and my own writing process.
Invitation to Silence and Solitude: Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence by Ruth Haley Barton (2010) paired with Engaging Jesus With Our Senses: An Embodied Approach to the Gospels by Jeannine Marie Hanger (2024) I love that I can experience God through silence and also through my senses. Both of these books will expand my understanding of what it’s like to listen and experience the Holy Spirit.
Backyard Pilgrim: Forty Days at Godspeed by Matt Canlis (2020) I’m reading this because it might inspire an idea for my 2026 Lent practice. I know this involves walking and since I’m fascinated with labyrinth walking, I want to check this book out. I think there’s also a documentary film called Godspeed.
A Theology of the Ordinary by Julie Canlis (2017) This appeals to me because I love the everyday, ordinary delights of life. (This book and Backyard Pilgrim are found on this website, and not Amazon or other bookstores.)
The Good and Beautiful Life: Putting on the Character of Christ by James Bryan Smith (2009) This is a spiritual formation book heavily influenced by Dallas Willard.
Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes by Shauna Niequist (2013) This is one of the few books I like to reread since the structure and message inspire my own writing. For some mysterious reason, I feel like I’m supposed to reread this book as I try to figure out the purpose and scope of my writing life. It feels kinda like a mystery to me right now, but I’m going with it!
The Genre I Usually Avoid: Romance!
During the last Once-in-a-While Book Club one of the participants inspired me to read outside my usual genres. Both of these titles were recommended and I can’t wait for some fun reading that makes my heart swoon!
*How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang (2024) I started listening to the audio of this book last night and I’m a little worried! I’m sure there’s going to be a twist that makes it all work out in the end, but in the first few pages, it seems like the boy who ran over the main character’s sister (was it a tragic accident or suicide?) is going to end up being her love interest. It’s an enemies to lovers moment with tons of great reviews! I want to quit right now, but I’m going to give it a go! Pray for me. June 12 UPDATE: I tried. I really tried. The plot is predictable which I guess is kind of comforting—you know what’s around every turn—but when it got to the sex scenes, I couldn’t keep going. I never thought of myself as a prude, but maybe I am? (I mean last year I loved The Ministry of Time and that has some of the best sex scenes ever so I’m not that squeamish!) Maybe I like innuendo better? Anyway, this is a DNF for me. Can anyone give me a romance that’s literary, with an unpredictable plot, and implied spice? That might be the best fit for me!
The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce (2024) While How to End a Love Story starts with a funeral, his one focuses around a wedding and how exes will behave when brought together once again. This also has tons of great reviews.
It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan (2025) Evidently, Monaghan is an author with quite the following and it looks to be a buzzy beach read book for this summer! Annie B. Jones recommended this book and she’s not usually a big romance reader. That sold me.
Buzzy Summer Books I Want to Read, But I’m Saving for Winter or Spring Because I Cannot Buy Another Book Until The Holidays!
*The Names by Florence Knapp (2025) This is a Read With Jenna selection—I like a lot of her picks, exploring the question of how names can changes lives.
Katabasis by R. F. Kuang (Releases 8/26/25) This is not my usual kind of read—not a fan of fantasy, but I love Kuang’s writing. I loved Yellowface which is totally different than this book—i.e. without fantasy or world-building elements. I’ll probably try Babel first and continue with this if I love that one, but this will be a big book of the summer. From the publishher: Dante’s Inferno meets Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi in this all-new dark academia fantasy from R. F. Kuang, in which two graduate students must put aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save their professor’s soul—perhaps at the cost of their own. Katabasis, noun, Ancient Greek: The story of a hero’s descent to the underworld. Sounds ominous!
MORE Buzzy Summer Books I’m Skipping Even Though Everyone Will Be Talking About Them
Since some of their works have been meh for me, I’m passing on the following books unless some of my reading kindred spirits rave about them in the coming months and convince me otherwise, but go ahead and pick these up along with everyone else.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (2025)
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2025)
The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb (Releases 6/10/25)
My Friends by Fredrik Backman (2025)
And last but not least, books for kids that aren’t just for kids!
Middle Grade Fiction (3rd-5th grade and adults)
All of the books in this section and the picture book section are recommendations from Avery Shelburne, the children’s book buyer at Fabeled Bookshop, based on some of my favorite middle grade books. I can’t wait to read these…and lucky for me…they’re all sitting on my shelf right now! By the way, Avery could not stop gushing about Impossible Creatures. She LOVES this book so much!
The Midnight Children by Dan Gemeinhart (2022) This is a story about a family of runaways who take up residence in a small town. Mysterious events ensue!
*Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell (2024) Two kids race to save the last magical place in the world. This is book #1 of a two-part series.
The Gate, The Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin (2025) I read all of Grace Lin’s books! From the publisher: This is the story about a lion cub and a girl who must open a portal for the spirits, based on Chinese folklore.
Picture Books For All Ages
Avery selected these books with my Family of Writers classes in mind. I asked her to select picture books that might lend themselves to inspire writing prompts. I’ll share some of these in the fall after I’ve spent some time studying each book.
If I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen (2019) I think kids will love this book because it explores the idea if kids could build the house of their dreams, what kinds of rooms would they create? Oh, this is an imagination gone wild kind of book!
Green on Green by Dianne White (2020) This book is a poem exploring colors and seasons.
*The Illustrated Walt Whitman by Ryan G. Van Cleave (2024) There are also versions of this book for Edgar Allen Poe, Emily Dickenson, and Robert Frost. I love the format of this book which includes the poetry, amazing illustrations, and facts about the poet’s life and times in which they were living and writing.