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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 101-150 of 181 (181 new)
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Scott
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Jul 06, 2016 07:19PM
An Author's Odyssey most looking forward to reading the 5th in the Land of Stories series, by Chris Colfer. Then Stephen King's End of Watch.
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Rosalinda wrote: "None of the above. I'm currently reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini."I love this book.
Nicol wrote: "La Rose by Louise ErdrichThe Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza"
I've added both of these to my list too.
Roz
Rosalinda wrote: "None of the above. I'm currently reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini."That was a great book, I read all 3 by this author and recommend.
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly is outstanding!
Lily and The Octopus and the Fireman.
I have jut managed to get the complete collection of George R. R. Martin's books.. I don't think I will need any new one's for a while!!! HA HA....
Enjoyed "Barkskins" snd plan on reading The Lilac Girls. Thank you for publishing this list. I always am looking for good books to read.
I'm reading "Work like any other" by Virginia Reeves. Great read!
Just finished Nightingale. Couldn't put it down. Kept going over the story, remembering different scenes. Scary that some people could be so brutal and some people so noble.
Annie Proulx is my favorite author. However I make sure I have some unbroken reading time so I can savor every word. Barkskins is on my shelf waiting till the time is right.
Asagi wrote: "This list is so uninteresting. Nothing sounds good"You sound like my 8 year old. LOL Good luck finding something interesting!
Diane wrote: "
is wonderful for all the animal lovers. I read it in 3 days."Lily and the Octopus (a first novel) is a story about life and death and trusting love. It was a sweet, sad and inspiring read.
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."CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE GIRLS! My next book was suppose to be The Center Cannot Hold by Elyn Saks.... but it's going to have to wait!
I like the sound of Stuck-Up Suit. The Lilac Girls, The Fireman, The Girl In The Ice, Before The Fall... Great reads for summer
Had a run of excellent books lately (though not "hot"): John Lawton's "Old Flames"; Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl"; Dennis Lehane's "Mystic River." All very different, all very well-written and engrossing. Currently enjoying "The Last Painting of Sarah de Vos" by Dominic Smith. You could do worse . . .
The Lilac Girls by Martha Hall KellyBarkskins by Annie Proulx
Two novels this summer: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and Open City by Teju Cole. I've started both (I read several books at a time) and I am enjoying both very much. Some really good writing!
was looking forward to "The Girls" but was massively disappointed
I've already read Stuck-Up Suit twice. "Broken" by Lauren Layne is truly excellent, also.
Tanya wrote: "Idol and Stuck up suit .Can't wait to read them"
Both are great. "Idol" will have a second book with familiar characters. "Stuck-Up Suit" was soooo good I read it twice!
I have read The Girls and it was very good. Next will be The Fireman❤️
I'm looking forward most to James Lee Burke's The Jealous Kind: A Novel, due out in August. He is, in my opinion, the best writer in his genre and one of the best novelist writing today.
Not sure who determines what goes onto these lists, etc. but they always seem to leave out anything that appeals to me...international spy intrigue books, i.e. Brad Thor's new book Foreign Agent. Would appreciate the inclusion of this genre and others like it. Thanks and happy reading!
I just started reading "The Girls," which I won in a Goodreads giveaway (it arrived yesterday!).After I finish "The Girls" I'm going to start on "Before the Fall" by Noah Hawley.
"Arrowood" by Laura McHugh comes out in a month and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
"Redemption Road," "Valiant Ambition," "The Lilac Girls," "Lily and the Octopus" and "Hidden Bodies" are on my WTR list, but I doubt I'll have read all of those by the end of the summer!
Asagi wrote: "This list is so uninteresting. Nothing sounds good"What do you recommend, then?
For me, The Nightingale…reviews look amazing.
I'm currently reading Lily and the Octopus and just love it. The Girls, The Fireman and The Lilac Girls sound interesting as well.
I'm 1/3 of the way through The Girls and can highly recommend it. The writing is crisp and so smart. Love it!
I think of all these books, two intrigue me most...My Lady Jane and Jonathan and the Octopus. All the "want to read" ones have my interest, however....so, whatever comes to hand!
Rosalinda wrote: "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!"
Caroline, Yes, I'm enjoying i..."
A Thousand Splendid Suns is by the same author and just as beautiful if you haven'talready read it.
Megan wrote: "Asagi wrote: "This list is so uninteresting. Nothing sounds good"What do you recommend, then?"
Homegoing
I want to read the girl in the ice. Looks good.
Already read The Girl in the Ice...really liked it.Looking forward to reading The Lilac Girls
I can't wait to read Nathaniel Philbrick's book!
