“It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn’t matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over.” -Novelist Paulo Coelho
This was my somewhat dramatic quote I was planning to post on social media in lieu of sharing my annual list of “books to pack in your beach bag.” I have been making this list for friends, and friends of friends, for years. I usually get a few texts during the last week of school in June inquiring when the list is coming. Inevitably, the list comes together late at night after I conquer my indecisiveness mixed in with my lifelong habit of procrastination. This year however, I announced to my friend and personal punctuation editor Laura Hastings that the list was over. I was closing the chapter on creating “the list” and leaving it to the Instagrammers, the book experts, and … dare I say, the “BookTok girls?” I told Laura she was off the hook from checking my blog entry for an abundance of exclamation points and unnecessary commas.
Well… the door didn’t stay closed for long. I started thinking about the beginning of summer and chances to read in the sun and I gave in. Down to the wire, I texted my book friends, reviewed my notes, and had some fun choosing which books to share. I am excited about the book picks and I hope my friends (and friends of friends!) might find one or two to “pack in their beach bags” this summer.
Cheers to escaping with a book! Cheers to keeping doors open when you are
not ready to close them.
XO
Cherylann
What can I say about this captivating book? It is the only book sitting on my nightstand that has post-it notes marking pages and recording quotes I never want to forget. Author Alice Feeney is a talented wordsmith and she left me in awe on page one and never stopped. I loved this thriller and was completely obsessed with the characters and the revengeful plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. This is definitely a book to pack in your beach bag with your SPF 50!
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
An official sign of summer is when I send my trusty bookseller friend Jen Sullivan a text that reads, “Send me your best book pick for the list. By Tomorrow!” Of course, she never disappoints with her fabulous book picks! Jen explains, “Every once in a while a book comes along that takes my breath away; a book that reminds me why I love reading…This is THAT BOOK. A heartfelt story of broken homes and broken hearts, of friendships and coming of age, of art and death, but most of all of love and found family. Backman’s writing is poignant and clever, weaving humor and sorrow with effortless grace. A masterpiece that should not be missed!” We should all take Jen’s advice and read this gem!
I can’t keep up when I walk with my friend Christine Griffin, but we are definitely in sync with our book choices. Christine says, “What a beautiful story from start to finish. With just the right mix of mystery, suspense, and romance, it’s full of unexpected twists and heartfelt moments. The characters come to life so clearly, and the vivid setting makes you feel like you’re right there, watching everything unfold. I couldn’t put it down. I wonder who your favorite character will be…”
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
I have read wonderful reviews about this book and I was pleased to see my avid reader friend Carolyn McGarry chose it as one of her picks for my list. Carolyn explains, “I have to admit, I wasn’t sure I would like this book about the drama surrounding the sport of ice dancing – but I was pleasantly surprised! It tells the story of two skaters over the decades and the dramas they face in their sport and in their lives. This story has all the feels – love, personal struggle, cut-throat competition, media circus, and family conflict, and much of it is told through interviews of the coaches, skaters, journalists, and others. I highly recommend listening to the audio book where Olympic skater Johnny Weir is one of the voices – but I’m sure it’s a great book to read as well.‘The Favorites’ kind of reminded me of Daisy Jones and the Six as
documentary style fiction that reads like a true story. A fun one!”
We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
Carolyn also recommends this warm, witty book and shares, “I adore Jojo Moyes and always scoop up her books when they are released. We All Live Here is the ultimate quirky family drama. The main character struggles with the break up of her marriage, grieving a parent, mothering two spunky daughters, reviving a career, and navigating a relationship with the father who abandoned her years ago. She ends up being the unlikely glue of this crazy extended family. This book is character driven in the best way and has lots of laughs and lessons throughout – I didn’t want it to end!”
My BFF Emily Temple is the managing editor at LitHub and she has done her summer reading homework. Okay we don’t actually know each other, but I am in awe of her work. She read 35 summer reading lists from 31 publications, counted up all the books, and tallied them together to create The Ultimate Summer 2025 Reading List. She calls Atmosphere “The winner by a MILE!” This uplifting book has appeared on 19 lists and is getting rave reviews. From the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, this book about an ambitious young woman and NASA space missions is definitely going to be in my beach bag this summer. This is going to be the hip book of the year!
A Marriage At Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession and Shipwreck by Sophie Elmhirst
Full disclosure: This nonfiction book that reviewers are calling “electrifying and enthralling” is not available until July 8, 2025. Yes, I have pre-ordered it and yes, if we have plans to get together when it arrives, I am canceling them. Love, obsession, and a good ole’ shipwreck… This is the book I know I need in my life!
Need a light escape? Try one of these romantic books that scream summer reading! I love an Emily Henry or Carley Fortune book when I want to avoid writing to-do lists or folding clothes. I read all three when I needed a reality break this spring. I am looking forward to avoiding tasks in July when These Summer Storms is released. This engrossing book is set in Rhode Island and is said to have “Shocking twists, long held-secrets and romance.” Who needs The Real Housewives of Rhode Island when you can read this sizzler? I can’t wait to bring this one to Second beach!
Happy Reading! Happy Summer!
Cherylann
