☀️ Read What You Love: Joyful Summer Reading Picks for All Ages

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Ahhh, summer. Daylight hours stretch, grass tickles bare feet, and the best adventures begin with a book in your lap.

Meri being Meri - reading a book outdoors and unplugged.

This summer, let go of the pressure to “maintain reading progress” and lean into the joy of stories. The truth? One summer of “slipping” doesn’t matter nearly as much as a lifetime of loving to read. Let your kids (whether students or offspring) choose the books that light them up. Yes — even if they’re goofy. Or graphic. Or out of order.

Here are 15 delightfully fun, wonderful titles to toss into your beach bag, pack for road trips, or enjoy in your favorite nook this summer. I've included joyful summer reading picks for all ages, from early readers to grownups.

Young Readers

Big giggles, bold illustrations, and belly-flop fun!

• The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems (2014) That stinky pigeon is back - loud, dramatic, and very much not into bathing. A laugh-out-loud read aloud.

  
  

• Dog Man by Dav Pilkey (2016–ongoing) Part dog, part cop, all chaos. Graphic novel genius for the reluctant reader in your life.

  
  

• Catstronauts: Mission Moon by Drew Brockington (2017) Feline astronauts must save Earth by launching a solar power station. Yes, it’s as ridiculous (and awesome) as it sounds.

  
  

• The Magical Reality of Nadia by Bassem Youssef & Catherine R. Daly (2021) Middle school is hard—but magic emerges when you discover your necklace holds ancient secrets.

  
  

• Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (2018) A gentle, radiant picture book celebrating imagination, self-expression, and acceptance.

Tween & Teen Readers

Let there be mythology, drama, romance, and delight!

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter (2021) She dreams in rom-coms. He’s the annoying neighbor. A sweet and hilarious slow-burn summer romance.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia (2019) African mythology, action, and heart abound in a high-energy, high-stakes fantasy series starter.

Heartstopper, Vol. 1 by Alice Oseman (2019) A tender graphic novel about first love, friendship, and finding yourself. Quiet joy on every page.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (2011) A mysterious island. A time loop. Vintage photos and eerie powers. Spooky, strange, and irresistible.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (2009) Beach house romance and coming-of-age drama in this fan-favorite summer read turned TV series.

This design's for the book lovers! You can grab it (and other bookish merch) at the Smuggled Sparks shop. Pass it on!

Adult Readers

You deserve to turn great pages, too!

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (2020) A caseworker investigates a magical orphanage—and finds a life-changing love story in a genuinely heartwarming fantasy.

Beach Read by Emily Henry (2020) Two writers. One summer. Forced proximity, grief, and laugh-out-loud banter. It’s got teeth and fluff.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022) A chemist-turned-TV-star challenges 1960s sexism with wit and science. Hilarious, smart, and unforgettable.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (2020) Elder sleuths solve crimes between tea breaks. British humor + cozy mystery = perfect lazy day read.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (2022) A grieving widow. A lost young man. And a wise octopus named Marcellus. Unexpectedly emotional and entirely charming.

What I'm Reading

At the moment, I'm reading They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera. It's set in this near-future world where everyone gets a notification on the day they're going to die, and two strangers meet through an app designed to help people connect, so they don't have to die alone. I'm not too far into it, but already it reads like a gorgeous celebration of life.

Hey, I'd love to hear what you're reading, too! Or maybe you have some book recs as fluffy as cumulous clouds in a blue July sky . . . if so, share a comment!

Final Thoughts

Let summertime reading be light. Let it be funny, messy, escapist, joyful. Whether your kids are deep in graphic novels or you’re flying through a beachy rom-com - it all counts. Books are one of the best ways to relax, connect, and remember what we love. And the best way to raise a reader is to let them read what they like. (The second best way is to let them see you reading for pleasure.)

Read what you love. Love what you read. And pass it on.