A Wave of Summer Vibes Reads

Although time's been weird for well over a year, summer still took me by surprise when it came with one fell swoop. And as reliable as the shorts and sandals I'll wear non-stop for the next four months, is my renewed desire to dive into my favorite summer books. In particular, Sarah Dessen and Morgan Matson's books have all the summer vibes for me, like classic The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' summer vibes, so here are a couple of my favorites of theirs as well as the summer books on my reading list.

The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

One of Dessen's most recent books is also one of her most quintessentially summer. Set on a lake, in boats, and in ice cream trucks, The Rest of the Story has all the hallmarks of a perfect contemporary YA, and Dessen classic, melding family drama, a love story, and an unexpected group of friends.

This summer, Emma Saylor is visiting her mother's family, who she hasn't seen since she was a child before her mom died, at the same lake where her parents met. As she pieces together her mother's life, she gets to know forgotten family and friends from her own past, who may just make it difficult to leave at the end of the trip.

Bonus Dessen Summer Recs: A bunch of Dessen's books take place in and around costal towns in North Carolina, so there are no shortage of beachy waves to splash in. Two summery favorites of mine are The Truth About Forever and Once and For All.

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Matson is another master of the contemporary YA, knowing that there's no point in a good romance, if there aren't also great friend and family dynamics along the way. Since You've Been Gone tracks the inimitable effects that these consuming friendships can have, even when that friend is suddenly gone.

Emily's best friend Sloan more than pulled her out of her comfort zone and they've planned a summer like none before. But when Sloan is suddenly gone, with only a list of boundary-pushing tasks left for Emily, Emily will follow every last one if it means having Sloan back.

Bonus Matson Summer Recs: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour takes the title characters across the country. Plus, Unexpected Everything is high on my to be read list.

My Summery TBR

I Think I Love You by Auriane Desombre

This debut is a Much Ado About Nothing inspired tale of two opposite girls drawn together by a film contest. Desombre has talked about the summer in New York vibes, hot garbage smells and sticky air included, as a distinct and different flavor to an otherwise adorable rom-com.

We Can't Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon

I just snapped up this recent release and can't wait to dive into the chaos of summer weddings through the eyes of the teens working them and their own tangled web of feelings, grad gestures, and misunderstandings.

A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

Miami girl Lila is unexpectedly spending her summer in an English town, which seems terrible until a cute teashop clerk enters the picture. I love a travel book for summer and this one seems extra charming and cozy.

I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick

This one comes as a special summer recommendation from an up and coming YA author who loves a good thriller. Anna is in the Hamptons for a summer nannying gig, but she bears an uncanny resemblance to a missing girl, Zoe. Things only get messier from there and teen podcast host Martina is eager to get to the bottom of it.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

This one is an adult contemporary tracking a summer-long challenge between a literary writer and a romance novelist to swap genres. This one comes recommended by someone who has recommended to me several of my favorite books and a handy stack of future bestsellers, so I always trust her recs.

What are your favorite summer reads? I also love a good pirate/seafaring tale for warmer weather, so maybe there will be an upcoming post with my favorite captains and crews.