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21 Hottest Books of Summer
You're going to need a bigger beach bag (or a bigger Want to Read shelf). We've crunched the numbers to bring you the books with the most buzz on Goodreads! From a scorching literary debut inspired by the Manson murders to a crackling apocalyptic thriller about a spontaneous combustion epidemic, we've got white-hot stories for every type of reader. Which ones do you want to read?
Fiction
The Girls
by Emma Cline
This powerful debut, set in late '60s California and inspired by the Manson murders, climbs inside the mind of Evie, an insecure teen seduced by a cult.
Lily and the Octopus
by Steven Rowley
With humor and elements of magic realism, this semi-autobiographical novel describes the bond between Ted and his best friend, aging dachshund Lily.
LaRose
by Louise Erdrich
In this poetic novel, a hunting accident changes the lives of two families living in a small North Dakota reservation town.
Young Adult
My Lady Jane
by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
Three YA authors play fast and loose with history in this fantastical, comic retelling of the story of Lady Jane Grey involving magic and shapeshifting.
Ambitious superscheduler Andi loses her dream internship, forcing her to face a big empty summer of uncertainty in this funny, sweet, and inspiring novel.
The Star-Touched Queen
by Roshani Chokshi
Indian and Greek mythology merge in this fantasy debut about a teenage queen who embarks on a hazardous journey of self-discovery and romance.
Nonfiction
Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War
by Mary Roach
The popular science author trains her sights on the weird and wonderful techniques used to keep soldiers safe, sane, and healthy.
Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution
by Nathaniel Philbrick
The tragic relationship between George Washington and Benedict Arnold unfolds in this compelling account of the middle years of the American Revolution.
The Gene: An Intimate History
by Siddhartha Mukherjee
The physician and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University makes the past and future of genetics personal in this eye-opening book.
Lab Girl
by Hope Jahren
Nature and love unite in this unique blend of memoir and science writing by geobiologist Jahren, who cherishes plants as well as her research partner.
Mystery and Thriller
Hidden Bodies
by John Hart
A wrongfully accused cop seeks justice, a young girl is kidnapped, and a boy plots revenge in this elaborate mystery set in a small town on the brink of chaos.
Before the Fall
by Noah Hawley
In this gripping thriller, a frenzied media demands answers after a private jet crashes off Martha's Vineyard, leaving only two survivors.
Troubled detective Erika Foster investigates the murder of a socialite discovered under a thick sheet of ice in a South London park.
Historical Fiction
Homegoing
by Yaa Gyasi
This bewitching, heartbreaking novel examines seven generations shaped by the horrors of the slave trade and its fallout in Africa and the United States.
Two Frenchmen leave their homes to work as wood-cutters (or "barkskins"), triggering centuries of turmoil in this sweeping saga of greed and lust.
Inspired by actual events, this unforgettable novel follows three characters whose lives converge at Ravensbrück, the women's-only concentration camp.
Romance
Idol
by Kristen Callihan
In this irresistible romance, a spunky recluse finds a rock star on her lawn—specifically the world's sexiest rock star on the world's un-sexiest bender.
Stuck-Up Suit
by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
When the hot guy on her morning commute leaves his phone, Soraya returns it to his office (with a dirty picture of herself) in this sizzling read.
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Age of Myth
by Michael J. Sullivan
A young man grapples with his destiny as a God Killer in this spellbinding tale of power and rebellion, the first in a new epic fantasy series.
This breathtaking collection of short stories probes at the heart of what makes us human, utilizing a full arsenal of fantastical characters and settings.
In this apocalyptic thriller, a pregnant nurse navigates a world on the verge of collapse following a pandemic of spontaneous combustion.
Which book are you most excited to read this summer? Let us know in the comments!
Fiction
by Emma Cline
This powerful debut, set in late '60s California and inspired by the Manson murders, climbs inside the mind of Evie, an insecure teen seduced by a cult.
by Steven Rowley
With humor and elements of magic realism, this semi-autobiographical novel describes the bond between Ted and his best friend, aging dachshund Lily.
by Louise Erdrich
In this poetic novel, a hunting accident changes the lives of two families living in a small North Dakota reservation town.
Young Adult
by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
Three YA authors play fast and loose with history in this fantastical, comic retelling of the story of Lady Jane Grey involving magic and shapeshifting.
by Roshani Chokshi
Indian and Greek mythology merge in this fantasy debut about a teenage queen who embarks on a hazardous journey of self-discovery and romance.
Nonfiction
by Mary Roach
The popular science author trains her sights on the weird and wonderful techniques used to keep soldiers safe, sane, and healthy.
by Nathaniel Philbrick
The tragic relationship between George Washington and Benedict Arnold unfolds in this compelling account of the middle years of the American Revolution.
by Siddhartha Mukherjee
The physician and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University makes the past and future of genetics personal in this eye-opening book.
by Hope Jahren
Nature and love unite in this unique blend of memoir and science writing by geobiologist Jahren, who cherishes plants as well as her research partner.
Mystery and Thriller
by John Hart
A wrongfully accused cop seeks justice, a young girl is kidnapped, and a boy plots revenge in this elaborate mystery set in a small town on the brink of chaos.
by Noah Hawley
In this gripping thriller, a frenzied media demands answers after a private jet crashes off Martha's Vineyard, leaving only two survivors.
Historical Fiction
by Yaa Gyasi
This bewitching, heartbreaking novel examines seven generations shaped by the horrors of the slave trade and its fallout in Africa and the United States.
Romance
by Kristen Callihan
In this irresistible romance, a spunky recluse finds a rock star on her lawn—specifically the world's sexiest rock star on the world's un-sexiest bender.
by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
When the hot guy on her morning commute leaves his phone, Soraya returns it to his office (with a dirty picture of herself) in this sizzling read.
Science Fiction and Fantasy
by Michael J. Sullivan
A young man grapples with his destiny as a God Killer in this spellbinding tale of power and rebellion, the first in a new epic fantasy series.
Which book are you most excited to read this summer? Let us know in the comments!
Comments Showing 51-100 of 181 (181 new)
none of the above. None are written by the authors I enjoy reading. Nor by an author I would find interesting enough to try.
Um.... Where's Harry Potter and the Cruse Child?!
None of these interest me. I'm much more excited about the "Five Magic Spindles" Sleeping Beauty retelling anthology from Rooglewood Press coming out this month.
None of the above - currently reading End of Watch - by Stephen King.
Nancy wrote: "The Girls by Emma Cline and End of Watch by Stephen King are the two in my current stack of books I am most looking forward to reading. There has been great buzz about the Cline book recently."Those are the last two books I just read! Both very good; ;you won't be disappointed!
Thank you Goodreads for featuring The Girl in the Ice, and for the other great recommendations!
Caroline wrote: "Rosalinda wrote: "None of the above. I'm currently reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini."Fantastic book Rosalinda. Hope you are enjoying it!"
Rosalinda wrote: "Caroline wrote: "Rosalinda wrote: "None of the above. I'm currently reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini."
If you are enjoying The Kite Runner you should also read "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by the same author and "Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Fantastic book Rosalinda. Hope you are enjoying it!"
Caroline, Yes, I'm enjoying i..."
Drew wrote: "Um.... Where's Harry Potter and the Cruse Child?!"Good question! That's the book I can't wait to read this summer.
None of the above. "Lab girl" could be interesting, but I have other plans. - I am reading "City of Masks" (epic fantasy) by Ashley Capes at the moment and have just ordered "Distance" by Nathanael O'Reilly (poems). And from time to time I read a little in "Lettres de mon Moulin" by Alphonse Daudet (a french classic).
Beth, I have copies of " A Thousand Splendid Suns" and "And The Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini .
I must get around to reading them as I enjoyed "The Kite Runner " so much.
I will make a note of the book you recommended.
I must get around to reading them as I enjoyed "The Kite Runner " so much.
I will make a note of the book you recommended.
i have 2 of these checked out, but haven't started either yet... (please talk to someone to give me more time to read!!)
"Valiant Ambition" is about it. Otherwise this list is deadly.
Stuck-Up Suitby Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
Stuck-Up Suit
The Girl in the Ice
by Robert Bryndza
The Girl In The Ice
I'm most excited about The Passage and the new Harry Potter.
None of these are on my TBR list yet; in fact, I haven't come across any of them! Feeling pretty ashamed, call myself a reader!
I have the Girls and the Lilac Girls. I got 2 copies of the Lilac Girls from Amazon by mistake, so I gave one of them to my mother in law, who is originally from Germany.
I am currently reading "Of Angels and Eagles" by LF McDermott. It is the first of three books, set around the Garth Family, whose original characters are jailed for petty stealing in London. This book follows their journeys to NSW, their lives on Norfolk Island, and their subsequent progress through life and times. This book gives a very clear picture of what life was like for some of those early convicts, and the hardships they had to face and defeat. An extremely good read, and I can't wait for the next book to be ready.
The Girls, Homegoing and Lilac Girls sound interesting. They are on my to-be-read list.
Lauren Wolk's Wolf Hollow is conspicuous for its absence in this list: a terrific YA novel.
Ok - don't really like knights, fantasy, etc. but read The Riyria Chronicles by Michael J. Sullivan and they were terrific! The writing is what makes the stories come alive. Can't wait to read Age of Myth - I'm telling you all - the guy can write!!
just read Sweet Bitter, Ahab's Wife, and Two Family House... all excellent... great characters... strong plot... great endings...
Loved The Girls! Will soon start Before the Fall!! #happyreading #summerreads2016
Just finished Homegoing and it was amazing! Have the Girls on order at the library, looking forward to it.Also read Britt-Marie by Fredrik Backman, liked it, but not as much as My Grandmother asked me to Tel;l You She's Sorry.
Grunt is fabulous. Mary Roach always does an excellent job with her subject matter.
Man in the High Castle by Philip K. DickWe watched the TV series and are waiting (impatiently!) for the next bit to come out.
When my daughter finished the book she said, "You HAVE to read this so we can talk about it."
The Star Touched Queen seems the most interesting, the rest of the books recommended are not my thing except may be The girl in the Ice.
Excited about Good as Gone by Amy Gentry. Can't wait to read.
This list is ripped off from a BuzzFeed book list. Just sayin'.
Think I would thoroughly enjoy The Paper Menageie and Stuck-Up. Am currently reading The Light In The Ruins.
Amber wrote: "I'm most excited to read The Fireman by Joe Hill!"I just listened to it on audiobook. It was pretty good, I really enjoyed it
The Girl in the Ice sounds like the kind of book i like to read on my summer vacations... but it´s winter here so I will have to wait until next January!
I picked up The Fireman by Joe Hill at the library today. Can't wait to start it! I love his books as much as I love his dad's!
Can't disagree too much with you, Asagi. What would you add?