People We Meet on Vacation- Emily Henry

Whether you’re sitting in your bedroom or laying on the couch, this book is certain to transport you to the vacation of your dreams. This romantic comedy follows two best friends, Poppy and Alex, through a dual timeline of their relationship. It’s a friends-to-lovers story with laughter, heartbreak, and above all, friendship. If you love a fast paced, engaging love story, then People We Meet on Vacation is a must read for you this summer. 

Beach Read- Emily Henry

Much like the title says, Beach Read is a perfectly crafted story for laying in the sand. Augustus Everett and January Andrews are both novel writers, but that’s where the similarities end. This enemies-to-lovers story goes far beyond a typical romance novel with underlying themes of change, loss, and second chances. With a carefully crafted balance of humor and depth, Henry tells a beautiful story perfect for enjoying in the summer sun. 

Emma- Jane Austen 

Set in England in the early 19th century, the novel centers around Emma Woodhouse, a bright young woman whose overconfidence in her own matchmaking abilities causes several romantic adventures. Austen’s carefully crafted characters and settings bring the story to life with every chapter. If you’re looking for a story with adventure, romance, and flawless design, Emma may be the summer read for you. 

Everything I Know About Love- Dolly Alderton

Everything I Know about Love is a thoughtful memoir about growing up, heartbreak, falling in love, and friendship. Alderton takes readers through her 20s with personal stories bound to make you laugh and cry all on the same page. With captivating lessons and profound realizations, anyone who picks up this book is certain to come out wiser than before. 

Talking to Strangers- Malcolm Gladwell

This nonfiction book isn’t boring. I pinky-promise. Talking to Strangers is an exploration of just how little we know about people we don’t know. Gladwell discusses how we easily misjudge and misunderstand strangers, and the catastrophic consequences that can result. Overall, he makes a strong case for patience and tolerance that everyone should hear. I promise that just because Gladwell is assigned reading in some courses does not mean his books are awful. 

Inticing Joy- Ross Gay

Inticing Joy is the kind of book that stays with you for your entire life. It’s a collection of essays designed to break your heart and put it right back together again. The writing is intimate, electrifying, and crystal clear. Through twelve separate stories, Gay teaches how it’s possible to find joy, even in the midst of chaos, if you only look. More importantly than that, he teaches readers where and how to find it. No matter what stage you’re at in life, Inticing Joy somehow knows exactly what you need to hear.