5 Must-Read Books for the Summer

Whether you’re spending your summer days relaxing in a chaise by the pool, lounging under an umbrella on a sandy beach, or swinging in a backyard hammock, one thing always stays the same; you need a good book to keep you company. Read on to find out which page-turners you should pack in your beach bag this summer!

1. Two By Two by Nicholas Sparks

The latest from beloved and bestselling author Nicholas Sparks follows a man named Russell Green as he goes from having it all to almost losing it all, and his relationship with his young daughter amidst this downfall. Sparks found inspiration for the story from his relationship with his own children – three boys and twin girls. It’s an emotional story about unconditional love and how you push back when life tries to pull you down. Make sure you pack some tissues in your beach bag!

2. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

The perfect thriller for the beach, We Were Liars was written for young adults, but it’s a great read no matter what age you are. The story is narrated by Cadence Sinclair, a fifteen-year-old girl who spends her summers on her family’s private island. The story starts off as you would expect, with summer romance and adventures, but it soon takes a dark turn. Cadence has returned to the island with her family after an “accident” that she can no longer remember and that no one in her family will talk about. As the summer unfolds Cadence begins to regain her memory, realizing that nothing, and no one, is as it seems. With a surprise ending you’ll never see coming, you’re going to want to make sure all your friends read this one too, so you have someone to talk to about it once you finish!

3. American War by Omar El Akkad

El Akkad’s debut novel plays the ‘what if’ game, taking place at the end of the 21st century in 2074 America where fossil fuels are banned, Louisiana is half underwater, and the Second Civil War has just broken out. Six-year-old Sarat is living right in the thick of it and the story follows her journey and transformation as she tries to survive the war. El Akkad reported on the war in Afghanistan and has plenty of experience of his own to draw from. If you were a fan of dystopian fiction like The Hunger Games and Divergent you’re going to love this newcomer to the genre!

4. A Dog’s Way Home by Bruce Cameron

From the author of the novel turned major motion picture, A Dog’s Purpose, comes another heartwarming tale of a man and his best friend. Bella, a sweet and playful pit bull, jumps into the arms of protagonist Lucas Ray, and a truly unbreakable bond is formed. Through trials and tribulations, they stick together, that is until Lucas is forced to put Bella into a foster home. But, Bella won’t give up so easily. This story follows her 400-mile trek across Colorado to find her beloved human. Dog lovers are going to love reading this book while they lounge and play fetch with their own pup at the lake this summer!

5. The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand

A classic summertime story from the queen of beach reads herself, Elin Hilderbrand. The Identicals is about twin sisters whose similarities stop short at their looks. Harper lives on Martha’s Vineyard and is the carefree sister who can’t seem to hold down a job and loves to drink beer and take shots, and doesn’t care what anyone thinks about it. Tabitha lives on nearby Nantucket Island and is sophisticated, prefers to sip wine, and has followed in their mother’s dainty footsteps. The sisters, though born together, have done their best to spend most of the rest of their lives apart. That is until a family crisis forces them to switch islands and come together to help save their family. Will they put aside their differences and realize family is forever or will the seemingly unbreakable bond of twins forever be severed? Get comfortable in your lounge chair, because you’re not going to want to move until you find out!