Summer is the perfect time to sink into a great book—or a whole series! My sister, Elizabeth Craft, and I put together this list of authors and series we love, from twisty mysteries to rich literary fiction. These are the kinds of books we’ve found ourselves reaching for on lazy afternoons and long flights—books that are easy to get lost in.
When you’re building your own summer reading list, think about the experience you want—something cozy and comforting? Epic and transporting? Light and fast? There’s no one right way to read for fun. Just follow your curiosity and make sure your list feels like a treat.
And mark your calendar for Read 25 Day on Wednesday, June 25th. As part of the Read 25 in 2025 challenge, I’m partnering with Bookshop.org for a nationwide 25-minute silent reading event, followed by conversations about the books we love. Independent bookstores around the country will help bring readers together for a shared moment of quiet and connection.
Popular Fiction
Stephen King
Master of suspense, horror, and surprisingly heartfelt stories.
Start with The Shining →
Kristin Hannah
Emotionally rich stories of resilience and love.
Start with The Nightingale →
Elin Hilderbrand
Beach reads with heart, drama, and Nantucket charm.
Start with The Perfect Couple →
David Nicholls
Witty, tender novels about love, growing up, and life’s curveballs.
Start with One Day →
Literary Fiction
Willa Cather
Evocative portrayals of American life and landscape.
Start with My Ántonia →
Iris Murdoch
Philosophical, psychologically complex, and beautifully written.
Start with The Sea, The Sea →
Graham Greene
Elegant prose meets intrigue, faith, and moral conflict.
Start with The End of the Affair →
Elizabeth Strout
Compassionate portraits of small-town lives and inner worlds.
Start with Olive Kitteridge →
Marilynne Robinson
Spare, luminous fiction about grace, family, and faith.
Start with Gilead →
Fantasy
George R.R. Martin
A Song of Ice and Fire series
Expansive, gritty, and wildly compelling fantasy epic.
Start with Game of Thrones →
Octavia Butler
The Patternist series
Visionary sci-fi/fantasy blend exploring power, identity, and humanity.
Start with Wild Seed →
Mystery
Louise Penny
The Inspector Gamache series
Gentle, character-driven mysteries with moral weight.
Start with Still Life →
Tana French
The Dublin Murder Squad series
Atmospheric, layered crime novels full of psychological insight.
Start with In the Woods →
Auto-fiction
Karl Ove Knausgaard
Riveting, reflective chronicles of daily life and memory.
Start with My Struggle, Book 1 →
Science Fiction
Martha Wells
The Murderbot Diaries series
A bot-human construct just wants to be left alone to watch media—and save the day.
Start with All Systems Red →
Becky Chambers
Wayfarers series
Hopeful, character-driven sci-fi with warmth and wonder.
Start with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet →
Thrillers
Ruth Ware
Clever, twisty thrillers with gothic flavor.
Start with The Woman in Cabin 10 →
Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
Psychological suspense with smart, fast-moving plots.
Start with The Wife Between Us →
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