5 Books to Check Out in Summer

Summer is coming up – and I can’t wait to get into some fantastic reading for the new season.

There are so many great books I want to read this Summer!

I always think Summer is such a great time for reading. You can sit back and relax with a light-hearted beach read, or tear through a great thriller in the sun.

In this blog post, I’ve put together 5 books to check out in Summer – including great beach reads and non-fiction picks!

‘Sweetbitter’ by Stephanie Danler

‘Sweetbitter’ by Stephanie Danler is a refreshing read about one woman’s experience working in a famous restaurant in New York.

The book follows her fascination with the people she works with, including aloof Simone, sarcastic Ariel and gorgeous Jake.

open book

She gets wrapped up in the life of these eccentric and intense characters, going to parties and experiencing life for what feels like the first time.

This is a light-hearted but often profound book to check out this Summer.

It’s easy to read and fun, but it’s also full of interesting characters and deep questions about life in your 20s. There’s also a TV version on Amazon Prime that I’m excited to check out!

‘The Color Purple’ by Alice Walker

‘The Color Purple’ by Alice Walker is an important read about race in 1930s America, looking at the experiences of one woman in the Deep South.

The book follows her journey throughout life, including her trauma as a teenager – and her experiences of inequality.

Walker comments on the deep-rooted racism and sexism of the time – and it’s an important look at race, gender, domestic abuse, class and more.

‘The Color Purple’ is sad and hard to read at times – but it’s also funny and uplifting, too.

Once I got into this book, I couldn’t stop reading it – I think I finished it in just a couple of weeks.

‘Happy Sexy Millionaire’ by Steven Bartlett

‘Happy Sexy Millionaire’ by Steven Bartlett is a great non-fiction read to check out this Summer.

This book looks at success and how to find happiness, imparting key pieces of knowledge about topics such as work/life balance, achieving big and looking after yourself.

Unlike other books, it doesn’t preach the “hustle culture” attitude of many people online at the moment.

lots of open books on top of each other

Steven talks about his own issues, discussing how he thought he’d achieved success – he was “sexy” and rich – but he wasn’t happy.

He discusses how he had to change his mentality to find genuine, inner happiness – and he shares his advice for other people to find contentment too.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It takes an important look at many modern issues, including mental health. It was such a helpful book to read as a newbie freelancer, too.

‘The Bandit Queens’ by Parini Shroff

I recently read about ‘The Bandit Queens’ online, and I’ve wanted to read it ever since!

This book follows the story of Greeta. Her husband has disappeared, and everyone thinks she killed him. Suddenly, everyone treats her differently – no one threatens her, but no one else wants to marry her, either.

Before long, other women start asking her to get rid of their husbands, too.

This sounds like a great Summer thriller – I can’t wait to try out this book soon!

‘Eat Gay Love’ by Calum McSwiggan

‘Eat Gay Love’ by Calum McSwiggan is a great book to check out this Summer.

This book follows Calum’s experiences travelling around the world, including time in Italy, Thailand and India. You’ll feel transported to every place, making it the perfect Summer read.

books stacked on a shelf

‘Eat Gay Love’ also takes a look at the LGBTQIA+ community across the world. In every place he visits, Calum meets LGBTQIA+ people – and I love his honest discussion of this vibrant and supportive global community.

What are you reading this Summer? Do you have any reading recommendations for Summer? What books do you think I should check out this Summer?

Let me know in the comments!

Happy reading x

46 thoughts

  1. Pingback: Top 5 Books to Read this Summer – Not-So-Modern Girl
  2. Pingback: What Did you Read this Summer? – Not-So-Modern Girl
  3. Pingback: Review: ‘Summer Sisters’ by Judy Blume – Not-So-Modern Girl

  12. When I was in college I was forced to watch the movie the color purple with Oprah Winfrey and others cast members now hopefully the book is better because I sure did not think much of the movie at least that was my opinion.

    Like

    Reply

  13. I should add knowing what I thought of the movie from seeing it, I think I would like to read the print format of the color purple just to compare what I think and see if my thoughts change any

    Like

    Reply

  14. I think I’m burnt out when it comes to entertainment based on discrimination. My whole life has been a personal experience in it and I’ve consumed enough to last me a life time. As such, I think I’d skip The Colour Purple

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. That makes complete sense. For me, I know it’s important for me to understand these issues – but there’s nothing wrong with choosing the entertainment that is best for you. Thank you for reading and commenting

      Like

      Reply

  20. I haven’t heard of these before. But they sound like good books to give a read. I need to make time to read more as have so many on my reading pile. Hoping to go in a holiday before I start university in September, so hopefully if I do I can read a lot, fingers crossed. Thank you for sharing your picks!

    Lauren

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I actually didn’t know anything about Calum before I read the book – I must be the only person of my generation that didn’t get swept up in the YouTube craze haha! I really hope you enjoy this book 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  23. I must revisit The Color Purple as it has been a long time since I read it; it’s definitely a seminal piece. I have also heard a lot about Eat, Gay, Love so I think I will be giving that one a go. I love reading and it’s such a nice experience to find books to read during various seasons that seem to uplift the experience even more. I am currently reading The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese and it is a perfect summer read!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes that’s so true, I love finding different books for different seasons. Reading is one of my favourite things to do 🙂 I hope you enjoy those picks! I’ll check out that book, thank you for the recommendation x

      Like

      Reply
  25. Pingback: Top 5 Cosy Autumn Reads – Not-So-Modern Girl
  26. Pingback: 4 Bloggers to Follow in July – Not-So-Modern Girl

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.