Our Picks for Summer 2025 Reading

Summer is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start building your perfect warm weather reading list! Whether you’re heading to the beach, lounging on the porch, or enjoying a quiet weekend getaway, there’s nothing like getting lost in a good book under the summer sun. To help you find your next page-turner, we’ve rounded up a variety of recommendations that cover everything from breezy romances and gripping thrillers to thought-provoking sci-fi adventures and unforgettable fiction. 

We’re offering you curated lists from a few trusted sources: top-rated summer picks from Goodreads, personal favorites from both of us here on the blog, and handpicked selections from a couple of our well-read friends. Our goal is to offer a little something for every kind of reader – so whether you’re in the mood for light and uplifting or deep and immersive, you’re sure to find a title or two (or 10!) to add to your summer stack. Let’s get started! 

Hot Off the Press – 2025 Picks From Goodreads 

Goodreads is a trusted source for book descriptions, ratings, and recommendations. Right now, the website (and app) is promoting new titles for Summer 2025. We’ve chosen three from their substantial list, each from a different genre (the book title is linked to the full description). Let us know if you’re excited for these books as well. Check out their full list on Goodreads. 

My Friends by Fredrik Backman 

Swedish superstar writer Fredrik Backman has won over a huge global readership with thoughtful, lyrical, often very funny novels like Anxious People and A Man Called Ove. His new book tells the story of a remarkable painting, four teenage friends, and the enduring powers of love and art. 

Genre: Contemporary & Historical Fiction. Release date: May 20 

It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan 

What happens when the former child star of a second-rate sitcom becomes a mid-level studio executive? Nothing good, according to Jane Jackson. But when a little white lie turns into a big potential catastrophe, Jane discovers she might have a chance at true love. Early readers are saying nice things about this new story from Annabel Monaghan (Nora Goes Off Script).   

Genre: Romance. Release date: May 27 

Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell 

British thriller specialist Lisa Jewell (None of This Is True) has been cheerfully blowing readers’ minds with her plot twists for more than 25 years now. Her latest features three women, two men who are not who they say they are, and one mysterious death. (By train, actually, come to think of it.) Good times for fans of psychological suspense. 

Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers. Release date: June 24 

Our Picks 

Jodi’s Recommendations for Summer 2025 Reading 

I’ve been a reader for most of my life, but in the last few years I found I wasn’t reading as much. I still bought books and even started to listen to audio books, but I never seemed to make much progress on my reading list. After finally joining a book club and then after recently reorganizing my overflowing bookcase, my interest is piqued again! So, I’m excited to share some titles that I’ve moved to the top of my TBR (To Be Read) list. I hope you will also find one or more of them intriguing as well. 

The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane (Dee MacDonald, 2019) 

This title caught my eye because the two main characters are in their early 60s, just like me. I think it will be fun to live vicariously through these two mature women as they explore dating later in life. Want to join me as I explore the adventures of Tess and Orla? 

Tess and Orla have been best friends throughout most of their adult lives. They even pooled their resources and bought a dressmaker's shop on the corner of Penny Lane. And they’ve been doing just fine ever since.  But one day, 62-year-old Tess realized that she doesn’t want her life to be just fine anymore. She wants it to be extraordinary. She wants to rediscover herself – and experience the kind of whirlwind adventure that will make her smile when she’s confined to the armchair of a retirement home.  With the encouragement of fun-loving and quirky Orla, Tess joins an over-the-hill dating agency, and the two friends book a singles cruise around the Mediterranean. And that’s when their adventure of a lifetime really begins. 

Under the Light of the Italian Moon (Jennifer Anton, 2021) 

This book combines two of my interests: historical fiction (especially World War II) and Italy. I don’t know as much about the war-time experiences in Italy, but I’m fascinated with how people endured and fought back to ensure their own and their country’s survival. I’ve also been studying Italian for a few years, and I recently learned of a connection that my Italian tutor Marzia’s family has to Mussolini. I’m anxious to read about Nina’s experiences, which are based on a real story. 

Fonzaso Italy, between two wars. Nina Argenta doesn’t want the traditional life of a rural Italian woman, but when her brother emigrates to America, she promises her mother to never leave. Then when childhood friend Pietro Pante briefly returns to their mountain town, passion between them ignites while Mussolini forces political tensions to rise. Just as their romance deepens, Pietro must leave again for work in the coal mines of America.

Nina is torn between joining him and her commitment to Italy and her mother.  As Mussolini’s fascists throw the country into chaos and Hitler’s Nazis terrorize their town, each day becomes a struggle to survive greater atrocities. A future with Pietro seems impossible when they lose contact, and Nina’s dreams of a life together are threatened by Nazi occupation and an enemy she must face alone. 

Tell No One (Harlan Coben, 2001) 

In the last couple months, I stumbled upon films – Missing You and Stay Close – based on books by Harlan Coben. These suspenseful thrillers combined interesting storylines, intriguing characters, and surprising twists. From the synopsis of Tell No One, this book promises to be just as captivating. 

Dr. David Beck struggles to move on after his wife was taken eight years ago. But for David Beck, there can be no closure. A message has appeared on his computer, a phrase only he and his dead wife know. Suddenly Beck is taunted with the impossible – that somewhere, somehow, Elizabeth is alive.  Beck has been warned to tell no one. And he doesn't. Instead, he runs from the people he trusts the most, plunging headlong into a search for the shadowy figure whose messages hold out a desperate hope. But already Beck is being hunted down. He's headed straight into the heart of a dark and deadly secret – and someone intends to stop him before he gets there. 

Heather’s Recommendations for Summer 2025 Reading 

Being a part of a book club (or clubs) has been the best thing I have ever done to improve my annual book count and the variety of genres I read! I highly recommend finding a book club or creating your own. In fact, here are some thoughts on that idea from a 2023 Friendsville Square post, “Building a Fulfilling Book Club in 10 Easy Steps.”  And, now, here are my three recommendations to add to your summer list! 

The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck (Kylie Scott, 2024) 

When Lilah Goodluck saves the life of Good Witch Willow as they’re crossing a busy L.A. street, the last thing she expects is five unwanted predictions as a reward. Who gives someone the winning lotto numbers, then tells them they’ve only got a week to live? And who believes in that nonsense anyway? 

This summer romance title is whimsical, comedic, and Cinderella-esque. This is not a book you grab when looking for a deep read. It’s perfect for the beach or as a palette cleanser following that thick non-fiction or terrifying thriller. It’s charming and easy to read, and I’m here for easy charm. 

Project Hail Mary (Andy Weir, 2021) 

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission – and if he fails, humanity and the Earth itself will perish. Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company. 

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species. And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he’s got to do it all alone. Or does he? 

Okay, I know many of you may have heard of this book from the writer of the book and movie, “The Martian.”  I decided to read it after it was one of three choices for my book club (and it didn’t win top honors). And when I say I read it, I mean I listened to it (thank you, Audible). It was INCREDIBLE! While I think the book would be a great read, I think this book is meant to be listened to. I’m not going to tell you why. Just trust me. Listen to this book. Please. Bonus – Ryan Gosling has been tapped to play the lead in the 2026 movie adaptation. I love Ryan, but he better not ruin Ryland for me. Thank me later. 

Outofshapeworthlessloser: A Memoir of Figure Skating, F*cking Up, and Figuring It Out (Gracie Gold, 2024) 

For loyal readers of Friendsville Square, you know I’m a huge figure skating fan. That’s why I picked up 2014/2016 U.S. figure skating champion Gracie Gold’s memoir. A beautiful skater, Gracie was also a very interesting interview following competitions. It was clear there was something behind her comments and demeanor, and I was ready to learn more. After listening to her memoir – geez, was I right.  

In this explosive tell-all memoir, Olympic figure skater Gracie Gold reveals her battle to survive mental illness, eating disorders, and the self-destructive voice inside that she calls “outofshapeworthlessloser.” 

When she stepped onto center stage (or ice, rather) as America’s sweetheart at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, she instantly became the face of America’s most beloved winter sport. Beautiful, blonde, Midwestern, and media-trained, she was suddenly being written up everywhere from The New Yorker to Teen Vogue to People and baking cookies with Taylor Swift. But little did the public know what Gold was facing when the cameras were off. In 2017, she entered treatment for what was publicly announced as an eating disorder and anxiety treatment but was, in reality, suicidal ideation.  

Trigger warning: This book deals candidly with mental illness, so keep that in mind before you pick it up. I applaud Gracie’s courage and honesty that she displayed in her memoir. 

A Few Quick Titles From Our Friends 

We asked three of our friends who are prolific readers to offer up a couple ideas to round out our summer list and they delivered! 

From Our Friend Laurie Bergman

Sea of Tranquility (2023) by Emily St. John Mandel. Time travel, pandemics, the ponderable questions of life … all are wrestled with very elegantly in this book. I still think about it two years after reading it.

The Mitford Affair (2023) by Marie Benedict. This novel, inspired by a real family of the English aristocracy, had the qualities I seek out in historical fiction: a family full of fascinating personalities, a WWII setting, and captivating storytelling. 

From Our Friend Beth von Behren 

I really enjoyed State of Wonder (2011) by Ann Patchett and was surprised because it's basically set in the jungle, which would not normally be my cup of tea. Patchett is a pro with character development, and I enjoy the way she slowly and methodically builds her story until all is revealed.

Steve Erickson isn't for everyone, but if you want a gateway novel to see if you like his writing, These Dreams of You (2012) is the one to read. It's a bit more linear, and it's about a family. But Erickson's distinct writing and outlook are here: A little surreal, sometimes fierce, and packed with his signature dream-like imagery.  

From Our Friend Andrea Hanstein 

Demon Copperhead (2022) by Barbara Kingsolver. This book will break your heart and then put it back together again many times over. It deals with many contemporary issues including poverty, opioid addiction, and the foster care system.

Circe (2018) by Madeline Miller. I have never been fascinated by mythological figures, but this book tells their stories in such a beautiful and easy-to-read way that I was hooked. It’s part adventure and part love story. 

Ready to Get Your Summer Reading Started? 

Are you adding any of our recommendations to your summer reading list? If you’ve read any of them, share your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Or have you already identified some of your own selections? Or do you have some favorite titles that you think others would enjoy?  Do tell! The more recommendations, the better! 

Happy reading this summer!  

Editor's Note: Most of descriptions are taken directly from Goodreads.

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~ Heather M. and Jodi B.