What makes a good summer read? Share your summer book selection criteria with us.
Julie:
Well, I’m not a technical book selector and just go with the flow. But if I do have a summer books checklist in my mind, it might look something like this:
- Light-hearted and generally not dealing with difficult or depressing topics.
- A book with travel.
- Not super long, something that might be a good beach or weekend by the pool length.
- Brightly colored cover.
- Bestseller, so you can talk about it with random people who have also heard of it or read it.
Also, here’s a great summer reading list for teens to help you select your summer books.
Rose:
A summer read should be light hearted. I love a good Abbie Glines love story for my pool side summer time reading. I tend to read my heavier books in December or in the winter months for some reason. I usually just read whatever I want to read, when I want to read it. However, I cannot wait til NEXT summer, as it will be my first summer off in a long long time. I am starting my first year of teaching this fall and am already counting the days til summer break. 547. Too soon???? Next summer I am sure I will be more than ready to dive right into summer light, fun summer reading selections.
Lynn:
I tend towards opposite books based on the season. I know, I’m weird. It’s 1200 degrees outside. I want something set in winter to cool me off. Or at least have the allusion of cool. With sweaters and snow. And yes, when it’s cold, I want a warm, summery, beach-set read. I also don’t want anything crazy emotional,or depressing, or really long. Light and breezy does seem to fit in with summer. In all seriousness, though, I really don’t follow any sort of seasonal reading. I just read what I want to read, when I want to read it.
I don’t ever pick books based on the season, but I do think of lighter reads when I think of summer reads.
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction recently posted…The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows – Review
Sounds like a popular answer – lighter reads. Though lately I’ve been reading some heavier stuff heh.
Because I live in the tropics and have little kids, I actually have a pretty hard time keeping track of what season it is, so I can’t say I really give much thought to “summer” reads. I just read whatever looks good to me whenever. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this post at Booknificent Thursday this week! Always glad to have you!
Tina
Tina at Mommynificent recently posted…Booknificent Thursday Link Up Party #105
While I don’t exactly live in the tropics, I do the same and read anything at any time of year 🙂 Thanks Tina!
I love Lynn’s way of doing it, I think I find myself doing the same! Like around Christmas, I don’t want a tearjerker, I was some fluff. And I can’t read about heat when I am also hot either! Though really, I am not a huge light & fluffy reader any time of the year- only when the mood REALLY strikes me. This is a fun post, ladies!
Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight recently posted…This Week At Midnight (70)
I’m with you that I’m not usually craving light and fluffy reads. Thanks Shannon.
Whenever I think “summer read” I do definitely think of books that are not too heavy or are set during summer. But in reality I don’t think I actually stick to these criteria when reading books during the summer – I just like the idea of summer books 🙂
Zareena recently posted…Review: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
I’m like you, I like the idea of summer books, but then read whatever I would read any other time of year.
I like to mix it up year round. Summer does seem to call for lighter reading, though.
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Lighter reading seems to be a popular option for summer time 🙂
PS, thanks for linking up at Literacy Musing Mondays.
Mary Hill recently posted…Seeing Spots and “Eat More Chikin”
I love summer books that are fun and make me laugh. I also love romance, mystery, and even dramatic stories that make me cry. Now if you have combo of stories that make me laugh, have romance, mystery, drama and make cry those are not miss stories. Kristin Hannah delivers a lot of these stories.
Mary Hill recently posted…Seeing Spots and “Eat More Chikin”
That is a great combination of things that make a book wonderful. Thanks Mary 🙂
In summer I read books set in winter. Usually haha 😀 I’m like Lynn in that sense. Also, Julie I mentioned you here 😀 https://ireadboooks.wordpress.com/2015/07/15/i-read-books-turns-2/
That’s cool that you and Lynn have that in common 🙂
Thanks Stefani!
I like fluffy fun reads when I’m on holidays too!! I tend to actually lean towards books that are in season, weirdly. XD Right now it’s cold and I’m huddling under a million blankets and reading Game of Thrones and it’s just FITTING. hehe
Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!
In season, that’s a cool way to think about it 😉
Something lighthearted and fun for sure. The other day, I was looking for such a read and realized that pretty much every single book on my Kindle is heavy or has a big plot that requires a lot of thought. I need to buy a few more lighthearted and “fluffy” books. Any recommendations? 🙂
Cynthia @ Bingeing On Books recently posted…BOOK REVIEW: A Million Miles Away by Lara Avery
Cynthia, have you tried any Cora Carmack books? Any of those should meet your needs!
No, I haven’t but I will check her out! Thanks so much for the recommendation. 🙂
Cynthia @ Bingeing On Books recently posted…Scotland!
I like your style, Lynn. However I’m a lot like Julie and Rose. I don’t want to read anything serious, I want to read fun, light, and silly romcoms, chick lit, or women’s lit.
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Steampunk Sundays: Chasing the Star Garden by Melanie Karsak
Thanks, Braine! I like those genres as well.
I can’t read long books in the summer. It’s too hot, and I’m too scatterbrained, and I just can’t do it 🙂
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very good point, Ramona. Too many other things to do to commit to a long book during the summer!
I love this post! is challenging for me since I’m a “dark” reader. Yes, I agree with you Rose, what most readers look for: Short, sweet, uplifting, inspirational, no dark depressing topics.. Lynn you sound are like me 🙂
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Thanks, Daniela! Good to see I’m not the only out there like me!