Whether you’re heading to the beach, tending to the garden, or working the summer months away, we all deserve a nice sit down with a book. And if you think you don’t have time for these 8 books to read this summer, there are always audiobooks. Turn it on in the car, out for a jog, while you’re ignoring your colleagues, wherever!
So, let summer be the time to dive into a new book, get back into reading, and splash around some fantastic reads. Here are some sizzling-hot best summer reads for 2023 — and bonus! They’ve all been written by women from around the world.
Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen (magical realism, light-hearted, summer vibes)
If you’re looking for something pleasant and easy-going with a sprinkling of magical realism on the coast of South Carolina, this book set in summer is an amazing pick.
I’ve recently gotten into Sarah Addison Allen and she’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Other Birds is a fantastic book to read this summer!
Our main character and narrator, Noey is about to start her first year at university in Charleston. She’s moved to Mallow Island, South Carolina for the summer to live in her late mother’s studio. The studio is part of the Dellawisp, which is a set of 5 apartments where a flock of chattery birds also lives (you’ll see what that’s about).
Then, Zoey slowly gets to know the other residents at The Dellawisp. There’s a struggling artist, a grieving young chef, two estranged middle-aged sisters, three ghosts, and the manager of the building who has his own tale to tell.
When one of the neighbors dies under odd circumstances the night Zoey arrives, she dives into the mystery of The Dellawisp, which involves missing pages from a legendary writer whose work might be hidden in the apartment of the recently deceased.
The lives of the characters beautifully intertwine, revealing mysteries within hope and stories untold. It’s a bit plotless, but the story is oh-so captivating.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellers (Literary fiction, contemporary, summer read)
Cleopatra and Frankenstein was one of my favorite summmer 2022 beach reads, so it definitely has to be at the top of the list of books to read this summer, too. Plus, this is Coco Mellers’ first novel and it is a hit!
This must-read book is set in New York City and mainly tells the story of twenty-four-year-old Cleo, a British painter. Just a few months before her student visa expires, she crosses paths with Frank, a self-made success twenty years her senior. He’s got all the glitz and glam that Cleo’s been missing in her life. He offers her happiness, the freedom to paint, and even a shot at getting a Green Card. And bam! They impulsively tie the knot, changing their lives and the lives of those around them in ways they never saw coming.
Each chapter in this page-turner dives into the lives of Cleo, Frank, and their unforgettable crew of friends and family as they navigate through life’s ups and downs. All the characters are wrestling with their own issues and they all intertwine in a truly mesmerizing way. And of course, there’s Cleo and Frank themselves, discovering the joys and challenges of marriage and dealing with mental health issues along the way.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein is a rollercoaster of hilarity and heartbreak, and I absolutely cannot recommend this book enough!
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan (literary fiction, contemporary)
This is one of my all-time favorite books, so it absolutely has to be on my summer book recommendation list. I loved the simplicity, the story, the unlikeable characters – everything! I’m actually planning on re-reading this book this summer as well!
Set in Hong Kong, Exciting Times is written from the perspective of our main character Ava. She is from Dublin and has come to Hong Kong to teach English. She quickly meets Julian, a wealthy Oxford-educated banker.
At first just friends, they soon start having sex before she moves into his spare room. Then, while Julian is away on a business trip, Ava meets someone else, a local woman.
The novel offers up a lot of dialogue, thoughts, banter on English and Irish history, love triangles, and what it’s like to feel somewhat blank and isolated.
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (Contemporary dark thriller)
If you want a little bit more action in your summer reads for 2023, I recommend My Sister, the Serial Killer set in Lagos, Nigeria.
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite is a wild ride that combines family drama, dark humor, and a touch of blood. It’s a fresh and quirky take on sibling relationships that will leave you both amused and slightly disturbed (in the best possible way).
Meet Korede, a practical and responsible nurse who is the sister of Ayoola. Ayoola is drop-dead gorgeous (pun intended), but she also has a little problem—she has a habit of dating men who mysteriously end up dead. Yep. Korede finds herself constantly cleaning up her sister’s messes, quite literally.
As Ayoola’s body count rises, Korede is torn between her loyalty to her sister and her own sense of morality. Things get even more complicated when Ayoola catches the eye of Tade, a charming doctor who Korede secretly adores. Now, Korede must protect the man she loves from falling victim to her sister’s deadly charms. Talk about a love triangle with a killer twist!
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh (YA Korean Folklore fantasty, beach read)
If you want to slip under the sea for a wee while, this is an awesome summer beach read for 2023 – especially if you love fantasy and folk tales (this is is based off Korean folklore). Here’s a little synopsis on The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh.
In a coastal town plagued by deadly storms and crazy conflicts, we meet Mina, a spirited young girl determined to break the curse that has haunted her people for generations.
You see, Mina’s homeland is in trouble. The Sea God, once their protector, seems to be unhappy and has been causing floods and making it difficult to sustain life on their land. To make matters worse, they think offering up a beautiful maiden as the Sea God’s bride each year might bring salvation. Um, excuse me?
When Mina’s brother Joon’s sweetheart, Shim Cheong, is about to be sacrificed, he does the most daring thing ever: he dives into the sea to rescue her. But Mina, being the brave and selfless sister she is, jumps in to take Cheong’s place.
As Mina swims out to save her brother, she offers herself up to the Sea God and finds herself in the Spirit Realm, a magical city filled with gods, mythical creatures, and humans who have wound up there. There, she discovers the Sea God is snoozing away under a spell. With the help of a mysterious young man named Shin and a crew of wild characters, Mina embarks on a quest to wake the Sea God and put those killer storms to bed for good.
If you’re a fan of young adult fantasy novels that dive into fantastical worlds and feature strong, resilient protagonists, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is definitely worth a read. Grab your snorkel, dive into the depths, and prepare to be swept away by this captivating underwater adventure.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (Italian literary historical fiction)
If you want some immersive, literary historical fiction set in Italy in the late 1950s/early 1960s, please do yourself a favor and pick up My Brilliant Friend for one of the best beach reads.
This critically acclaimed book in translation (originally in Italian) takes us on an intimate journey through the lives of two young girls growing up in a vibrant and sometimes tumultuous neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples, Italy.
The story begins with Elena Greco, known as Lenù, reflecting on her lifelong friendship with Raffaella Cerullo, or Lila as she is called. From their early childhood, Lenù and Lila form a deep yet complicated bond, navigating the challenges of school, family, and the complexities of their neighborhood together.
As they come of age, Lenù and Lila’s paths diverge. Lenù continues her education, striving to rise above her circumstances and pursue her dreams. Meanwhile, Lila, with her fierce intelligence and fiery spirit, faces different struggles and chooses a different path.
Throughout the novel, Ferrante skillfully explores themes of friendship, ambition, societal expectations, and the complexities of female relationships. The story unfolds against the backdrop of post-war Naples, vividly capturing the essence of the time and place.
With its richly drawn characters and evocative storytelling, this phenomenal book immerses readers in the lives of Lenù and Lila, two unforgettable young women who navigate the challenges and joys of growing up in a changing world.
If you’re looking for a thought-provoking and beautifully written tale that delves into the complexities of friendship and personal growth, My Brilliant Friend is a must-read.
Plus, it’s part of a series of 4 books known as the Neopolitan Quartet so you’ll have plenty more of these characters! (And you’ll be oh so glad).
The Little Village of Book Lovers by Nina George (french Literary fiction, magical realism)
Here’s another book in translation to read this summer. This is one I was able to get an advanced reader’s copy and enjoy digitally. Translated from the French, The Little Village of Book Lovers comes out July 25, right at the heart of summer!
This was one of the most beautiful pieces of literary fiction that I have ever read. At its most basic, The Little Village of Book Lovers is a story about how books bring people together, particularly lovers. What makes this novel especially unique is how it’s told mainly from the perspective of Love, with musings from Logic, Fate, an olive tree, Death, and others.
I don’t think I’ve ever annotated a book as much as I did this one. There are an incredible amount of quotable thoughts and reflections.
Occasionally, this read is a bit hard to follow with the “village” of characters and its beautiful, poetic writing — but it’s all worth it for an absolute 5-star read.
“Love is. We agree on that, right? It is. Like the sea, like the sun, like the mountains. That tells us nothing about … how long it will last. Or what color it is. Or what form it will take. Like the sea, the sun, and the mountains, it is always different.”
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata (japanese fiction, magical realism)
This summer book recommendation is for my fellow weirdos. You’re in for a treat with this Japanese book-in-translation.
Get ready for an absolutely unconventional and thought-provoking journey into the mind of the protagonist in Earthlings by Sayaka Murata. You’ll see themes of identity, societal norms, and the pursuit of personal freedom.
The story begins with Natsuki as a young girl who has always felt like an outsider. She finds solace in her vivid imagination and her belief that she is not entirely human but an alien sent to Earth on a mission. Natsuki’s unconventional perspective becomes even more pronounced when she befriends her cousin Yuu, who shares her secret extraterrestrial identity.
The two form a unique bond but a very weird and unsettling scene forces them away from each other. The two agree to “survive, no matter what.” Basically, saying “Let’s just conform. It’s easier that way.”
But as they grow older, Natsuki and Yuu face societal pressures and expectations that threaten to stifle their true selves. They form a pact to protect each other and resist conformity, leading them down a path of rebellion and self-discovery.
The author delves into the complexities of human relationships and the struggle to find one’s place in the world. Earthlings challenges societal norms and prompts readers to question the boundaries of conformity and the true meaning of belonging.
This novel is a compelling exploration of identity, blending elements of science fiction with the emotional journey of its characters. Seriously, Sayaka Murata’s masterful storytelling will leave you contemplating the complexities of human existence long after you’ve turned the final page.
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