📚 Poolside Reads: My Summer Book List for Lazy, Sunny Days
Is there anything better than getting lost in a good book with the sun on your skin and a cold drink in hand? Whether you’re poolside, beach-bound, or curled up in a hammock, summer is the perfect time to slow down and read for pleasure. Here are the page-turners I’m packing in my beach bag this season—some juicy, some inspiring, and all totally binge-worthy. ☀️🕶️
1. “Happy Place” by Emily Henry 💞🏖️
The queen of summer romance strikes again. Emily Henry’s sharp wit and emotional depth make this story about love, friendship, and pretending everything’s fine (when it’s not) impossible to put down. It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and best read with your feet in the pool.
2. “Every Summer After” by Carley Fortune 🛶🇨🇦
Set in a lakeside cottage in Ontario, this nostalgic, second-chance love story will hit you right in the summer feels. It’s a slow-burn romance with emotional layers and small-town charm. I finished it in two sittings—and then immediately recommended it to three friends.
3. “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han 🐚🌺
This one’s a YA classic for a reason. If you love a love triangle, sibling dynamics, and that bittersweet edge of growing up, this is your vibe. Bonus: you can binge the show after reading!
4. “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert ✨🖋️
For something more soulful, this nonfiction fave is like a permission slip to create. Gilbert shares insights on living a creative life with courage, lightness, and joy. I revisit this every summer when I need a little reset or motivation.
5. “Beach Read” by Emily Henry (Again!) 📖🍹
Yes, she’s on the list twice. This novel is a love story and a writer’s journey all in one. It explores grief, joy, and what happens when opposites attract—all set in a breezy beach town. Total must-read.
🛍️ Poolside Reading Essentials on Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite Waterproof Edition – Perfect for reading poolside without worrying about splash zones.
Portable Clip-On Book Light – For evening reading by the water or in your hammock.
