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Oh, the joy of summer reading.

Here are some books that are either:

• set during the summer, or
• evoke those languid, carefree days, or
• entertain so thoroughly that you won’t want to put them down to jump in the pool.

Which of these is your favorite?

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

A boy captures the fleeting magic of a small-town summer in this nostalgic, bittersweet classic. Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age

Venetia by Georgette Heyer

A spirited young woman shakes up her sleepy Regency village—and her own heart—when she meets a scandalous lord. Historical Regency-era Romance

The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton

Two young social climbers gamble on a marriage of convenience, only to find that love—and life—may have other plans. Literary Fiction, Romance

Jane of Lantern Hill by L. M. Montgomery

A lonely girl finds her spirit, her voice, and a magical new life one transformative summer on Prince Edward Island. Middle Grade to YA Classic Fiction, Family, Coming-of-Age

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

A young boy sets sail on a dangerous treasure hunt full of pirates, betrayal, and buried secrets. Adventure, Classic Fiction

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

In 1950s America, four boys set out on an unforgettable road trip, chasing new beginnings and old ghosts. Historical Fiction, Adventure

Linnets and Valerians by Elizabeth Goudge

Four siblings discover magic, mystery, and adventure in a sleepy English village one golden summer. Middle Grade Fantasy, Adventure, Family

This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart

Amidst the dazzling sunlight of Corfu, a young actress stumbles into a world of intrigue, danger, and forbidden romance. Romantic Suspense, Mystery

Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie

A glamorous beach resort turns deadly when Hercule Poirot investigates a murder hiding under the summer sun. Mystery, Detective Fiction

Summer Lightning by P.G. Wodehouse

Eccentric aristocrats, romantic entanglements, and a missing prize pig make for pure summer hilarity at Blandings Castle. Humor, Comedy of Manners

A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin

A clever young woman sets out to snag a rich husband in Regency England—but not for herself, for her sister. Hilarity ensues. Historical Romance, Comedy

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

A girl unearths the secrets of a dusty Kansas town during a hot summer that will change her life forever. Middle Grade to YA Historical Fiction, Mystery

News of the World by Paulette Jiles

In post–Civil War Texas, an aging news reader and an orphaned girl embark on a dangerous journey toward home. Historical Fiction, Western

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

A group of adventurous children set sail into a summer of imaginative exploration, pirate battles, and friendships. Middle Grade Adventure

A Stranger Came Ashore by Mollie Hunter

On a remote Scottish island, a boy suspects that the charming stranger who arrived during a storm may not be human at all. Middle Grade to YA Fantasy, Folklore, Mystery

The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden

A mother takes her two teenage daughters to the French countryside for the summer, but when she falls ill, she sends her daughters to a nearby hotel where an enigmatic man takes them under his wing. Historical Fiction, Coming of Age

Hertz Gets Fused by Suzanne Purvis

After nearly burning down the house, young Hertz must spend the summer without internet in a small Arizona town. Middle Grade Children’s Fiction, Novel in Verse

Breeder by K. B. Hoyle

In a controlled society where humanity is engineered, one woman’s escape ignites a revolution. YA Dystopian Sci-Fi, First in a Series

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

A brave girl leaves her quiet island home to sail across deadly seas in a sparkling, whimsical fairy tale. Fantasy, Adventure

Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm

The only girl in a rough-and-tumble Finnish-American family, May Amelia faces a summer of challenges and dreams in 1899 Washington. Middle Grade Historical Fiction, Coming-of-Age

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

Five sisters slip between their Transylvanian home and a magical otherworld, where summer nights sparkle with enchantment and danger. YA Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling

Raft of Stars by Andrew J. Graff

Two boys flee into the Wisconsin wilderness, finding unexpected strength, hope, and healing over one unforgettable summer. Literary Fiction, Adventure