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The Goodreads Guide to Summer Reading

Posted by Sharon on May 11, 2026

Summer reading is here! Discover the year's buzziest new hits, trending backlist titles, and the most anticipated books for the season (plus our intel on the biggest books coming later this year). Find your reading match with our staff recommendations, scope out our great genre guides, and more!

Readers' Hit Books of the Year (So Far)

They're big, they're buzzy, they're the new books everyone's been talking about from the first half of the year!

The Most Read Books of the 2026 Reading Challenge (So Far)

Get inspiration from your fellow Goodreaders and supercharge your Reading Challenge this summer.

The Big Books of Summer (and the Rest of the Year)

Take a peek at the season ahead with readers' most anticipated summer reads, plus our bonus preview of fresh fall titles!

112 (Very Literal) Escapist Reads to Sweep You Away

Need to get away from it all? We're here to help! Take a mental break with our cheeky take on escapist reading.

The Goodreads Staff Share Top Reading Recommendations

Don't know what to read next? Let our bookish colleagues guide you to your next favorite title with their most tried-and-true suggestions.

Discover more great summer reading:

Debut Novels for Summer and the Rest of the Year

Celebrate Pride with 160 New Rainbow Reads

A Month-by-Month Guide to Summer's Biggest Mysteries & Thrillers

Spice Up Summer with 69 Hot New Romances & Romantasies

Highly Anticipated Fantasy, Sci-Fi & Horror Hitting Shelves This Summer

Have a Blockbuster Summer with Adaptation Reading

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