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What’s Hot on Our Book Club’s Summer 2026 Reading List

  • Writer: Heather McDorman & Jodi Blake
    Heather McDorman & Jodi Blake
  • May 21
  • 6 min read
Woman in a hammock reading a book.

Every summer, members of our Page-Turning Queens Book Club find ourselves facing the same wonderful dilemma: far too many books and never quite enough time. Between vacations, pool days, road trips, thunderstorms, and quiet mornings with coffee (or tea) in hand, summer simply feels made for reading. It’s the season when our library holds multiply, our bedside stacks grow dangerously tall, and we all convince ourselves we can absolutely finish “just one more book” before Labor Day. 


This year, we asked each member of our club to share the titles making their personal summer reading lists – along with a little insight into why these books earned a coveted spot in their beach bags, carry-ons, and nightstands. The result is a collection as eclectic and interesting as our club itself: historical fiction, literary fiction, mysteries, fantasy, family dramas, art, travel inspiration, survival stories, and even a highly anticipated novel involving an octopus. 


Summer Reading Recommendations: Get Your Goodreads App Open!

Whether you're looking for your next audiobook, a thoughtful literary escape, or a page-turner to devour during vacation, the Page-Turning Queens have plenty of recommendations to add to your own TBR (to be read) list.


Mia J-H – Isola by Allegra Goodman 


Book cover of Isola by Allegra Goodman

Mia attended an artist talk in Tucson featuring Allegra Goodman for her book This Is Not About Us, which Mia is currently reading. Later, a Facebook ad for Isola – a Reese’s Book Club selection – reminded her that several attendees at the event had enthusiastically recommended it. 


Mia says the novel combines several elements she loves most in a summer read: historical fiction, a strong female protagonist, and survival in nature. Honestly, that sounds like the perfect recipe for getting completely lost in a story over a long summer weekend.




Cover of the book The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Charlie selected The Correspondent because of its unique storytelling structure: the novel unfolds entirely through letters and responses.


"It covers different themes, like grief, guilt, and aging," Charlie shared. "These are all things I feel that I'm dealing with in my life, and I wouldn't mind reading a fictional version."


There's something especially compelling about books that help us process the experiences we're navigating in real life, and Charlie's pick sounds deeply reflective while still offering the comfort of immersive storytelling.




Cover of the book Homeseeking by Karissa Chen

Laurie's choice sounds like exactly the kind of sprawling, immersive novel that summer was designed for. She says Homeseeking has everything she wants in a seasonal read: "physical heft (512 pages), multi-generational POVs, forward-looking women, and settings that span the globe and cover decades."


Long summer days practically beg for big books with rich storytellig and layered characters, annd this one sounds like the kind of novel that readers disappear into completely. Laurie's recommendation will appeal to anyone who loves ambitious literary fiction with emothional depth and global scope.




Cover of the book Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Heather has enjoyed several books by Taylor Jenkins Reid and has heard wonderful things about Atmosphere. “I’m especially looking forward to the combination of action, women empowerment, and complex relationships – all things Reid tends to write exceptionally well.” 


As an added bonus, she's been told that the audiobook version is fantastic, which makes this an excellent companion for summer driving, walking, or tackling household chores while still squeezing in reading time. 




Beth approached this assignment the way many lifelong readers would: by refusing to limit herself to just one title. Frankly, we respect the commitment. 


Since Beth will be traveling quite a bit this summer, she expects to have more reading time than usual and already has an impressive TBR line-up prepared. She's currently reading We All Live Here because the "full house of people driving the protagonist crazy hits home" for her. She selected Hamnet because she proudly describes herself as "a huge Shakespeare nerd," and she's eager to finally experience the story before seeing the movie adaptation.


And then there's Remarkably Bright Creatures, which Beth chose because octopus creatures are, in her words, "astonishing and fascinating." She says she can sit and watch them for hours and already can't wait for the movie version. Honestly, her enthusiasm alone makes this recommendation hard to resist.




Chris plans to spend part of her summer escaping the heat and humidity with a combination of jigsaw puzzles and books – which honestly sounds like an excellent strategy. 


At the top of her list is The Keeper by Tana French. Chris has been on the library waiting list for the novel since it was released at the end of March and is finally inching closer to the front of the queue. She also plans to read Lust for Life, which her younger sister loaned to her "with high praise."


Chris typically alternates fiction and nonfiction and also plans to dive into books about the history of Vietnam, inspired by her hopes of someday visiting the country as a future bucket-list destination.




Cover of the Book Death, I Said – A Charlie Chan Mystery by John L. Swann

Jodi selected this latest installment in the Charlie Chan mystery series because of her personal connection to author John L. Swann, whom she has known since college. She also finds the premise fascinating, since Swann has continued the original detective stories created by Earl Derr Bigger with entirely new mysteries.


"I admit I've never watched a Charlie Chan movie, nor do I often read mysteries," Jodi shared, "but I'm so intrigued that John decided to revive the Charlie Chan character in new stories."


There's something especially fun about reading books tied to personal connection, and Jodi's recommendation sounds like a fresh twist on classic detective fiction.




Karen's summer reading list is wonderfully eclectic and filled with books that sound tailor-made for curious readers.


First is The Book Witch, which Karen perfectly describes as "a fantasy novel with magic and books." Honestly, what more could summer readers ask for? She also plans to finally read Mona's Eyes, a Christmas gift from her son. The novel follows a young girl who may be losing her sight, whose grandfather agrees to take her to therapy appointments but instead brings her to study famous paintings. Karen especially loves that the dust jacket includes images of each artwork featured in the story.


And if she can successfully wrestly it away from her husband, Karen also hopes to read Twelve Months, the latest installment in one of her favorite ongoing series.



Epilogue: Summer 2026 Reading Recommendations


Green sunglasses on top of an open book near a swimming pool.

One of our favorite things about our Page-Turning Queens Book Club is how differently we all read. Some of us gravitate toward literary fiction while others prefer mysteries, historical novels, fantasy, emotionally layered family stories, or nonfiction that sparks future travel dreams. Yet every recommendation comes from the same place: the hope of discovering a story that lingers long after the final page. 


This summer’s list feels especially rich with curiosity, adventure, emotional depth, strong women, fascinating history, and characters trying to navigate complicated worlds. 


So, whether your perfect reading spot is a beach chair, a screened porch, an airplane seat, or simply a quiet corner of the house with the ceiling fan running, we hope this list helps you discover your next great summer read. And if you’ve already read any of these titles – or have recommendations we absolutely need to add to our own stacks – we’d love to hear them (share in the comments, please). After all, readers are always looking for the next unforgettable story! 



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~ Heather M. and Jodi B.


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