16 Lighthearted Books That Make Great Summer Reads

Whether you want a little romance, some nonfiction, a memoir, or anything that can accompany your next visit to the beach, our list of lighthearted summer books has something for you. When you click links from this website, we may receive advertising revenue to support our research. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Best Summer Beach Reads

  1. The Art of Running in Heels by Rachel Gibson
  2. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
  3. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
  4. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
  5. F*ck Love by Tarryn Fisher
  6. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
  7. Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing by Jennifer Weiner
  8. The Thing About Love by Julie James
  9. I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
  10. Getaway Girl by Tessa Bailey
  11. The Singles Game by Lauren Weisberger
  12. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
  13. The Longest Holida by Paige Toon
  14. The Total Package by Stephanie Evanovich
  15. Size Matters by Alison Bliss
  16. Best. State. Ever.: A Florida Man Defends His Homeland by Dave Barry

In Depth

Bibliophiles know they don't need to go far for a summer adventure. For them, a good book is enough to fulfill their wanderlust, even if they're just sitting in their backyard. From realistic romance to amusing memoirs, here are 16 lighthearted books that make for great summer reads.

Starting off at #1 is "The Art of Running in Heels," the seventh book of the Chinooks Hockey Team series by Rachel Gibson. It follows the life of Lexie Kowalsky, as she runs off on her wedding day, only to face unexpected and hilarious circumstances with a man she just met. With a sexy and playful chemistry between the characters, this novel is perfect for romantic comedy lovers.

At #2 is "The Alchemist," which tackles the subject of pursuing your dreams. This book presents an inspiring story mixed with wisdom, magic, and spiritual principles. Written by Paulo Coelho, the fable aims to encourage readers to persevere towards their goals and to have faith in the universe.

This book presents an inspiring story mixed with wisdom, magic, and spiritual principles.

What we have at #3 is "To All The Boys I've Loved Before." After Lara Jean's love letters get accidentally mailed to each of the boys she has written them for, her teenage life suddenly goes out of control. Jenny Han provides readers with a young adult love story full of innocence, amusement, and excitement.

At #4 is "Ready Player One." The novel is set in a dystopian future, where teenagers spend time in virtual reality and struggle to keep their online world from the grasp of an evil organization. With references from 1980s pop culture, this humorous science fiction story gives a glimpse into one possible future of online gaming. Written by Ernest Cline, the film adaptation was released in 2018. It was produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.

What we have at #5 is "F*ck Love." The narrative begins with Helena having a dream about living a perfect life with her best friend's boyfriend. She falls in love with him instantly upon waking up. Written by Tarryn Fisher, this novel is told from the viewpoint of the protagonist, making readers experience Helena's awkwardness, joy, curiosity, and funny encounters firsthand.

She falls in love with him instantly upon waking up.

At #6 is "Something Borrowed." Written by Emily Giffin, the novel was released in 2005 and had a film adaptation in 2011. It tells a story of a single lawyer in her thirties, who finds herself torn between friendship, true love, and morals after spending a night with her best friend's fiance. This romantic comedy examines how society pressures women in their 30s to get married, making it an excellent read for those who can relate to that social stigma.

Coming in at #7 is "Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing." Jennifer Weiner's memoir begins in her early childhood and extends up until she begins flourishing in her career and personal life. She details the totality of her experience of body-shaming, pursuing dreams, finding love, and becoming a mother through a collection of intimate, humorous, and honest essays.

At #8 is "The Thing About Love," a romance between two colleagues who turn from enemies to lovers. It features a narrative full of steamy chemistry, witty banter, and comical scenarios. Julie James captivates readers with a fast-paced novel set in the professional world.

It features a narrative full of steamy chemistry, witty banter, and comical scenarios.

At #9 is "I've Got Your Number." After Poppy loses her phone and engagement ring at a hotel, she finds a phone in a trash can and holds on to it. This leads to her facing an unpredictable turn of events with its real owner. Written by Sophie Kinsella, this novel gives us a hilarious romance that is relatable in the digital age.

What we have at #10 is "Getaway Girl" by Tessa Bailey. The narrative begins with Addison going back to town for her estranged cousin's wedding, only to be entangled with the groom in an unexpected twist. Bailey writes a friends-to-lovers story that engages readers with the characters' strong sexual tension.

At #11 is "The Singles Game," which tells a story about a good-girl tennis star who dives into the wild and glamorous world of athletics with an infamously tough coach. Lauren Weisberger presents to us a different side of the professional sports industry, making this novel an excellent escape for sports enthusiasts.

Lauren Weisberger presents to us a different side of the professional sports industry, making this novel an excellent escape for sports enthusiasts.

At #12 is "Crazy Rich Asians," the first book of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy. It tells the story of Rachel Chu. She finds herself torn between love, morals, and family after finding out her boyfriend's real social status. Through Kevin Kwan's descriptive writing, this novel gives readers a depiction of the lavish lifestyle of wealthy families in Singapore.

Coming in at #13 is "The Longest Holiday." The narrative follows the life of Laura, who leaves for a vacation in Key West after discovering her husband's big mistake before their marriage. Written by Paige Toon, it presents a story of sweet escape from reality's problems, while wavering between forgiveness and the free life of sand, sea, and sex.

At #14 is "The Total Package" by Stephanie Evanovich. It presents a narrative of a quarterback star and a sports journalist. They have a romantic past with each other that leads them to playful and unforeseen encounters. Evanovich provides readers a sweet love story that features realistic relationship struggles, redemption, and second chances.

It presents a narrative of a quarterback star and a sports journalist.

At #15 is "Size Matters." It tells the story of a plus-size woman who finds love while wallowing in self-pity. Written by Alison Bliss, this novel presents a relatable heroine in a narrative full of funny banter and strong romantic attraction between the characters.

Finally, at #16 is "Best State Ever: A Florida Man Defends His Homeland." Released in 2015, this nonfiction book was written by the Miami Herald's humor columnist, Dave Barry. It features Barry's hilarious viewpoint on Florida's different attractions, revealing each places quirks and charms. It also presents a brief history of the state, making this volume a nostalgic read for native Floridians.