a summer 2025 reading list
taking the overwhelm out of my TBR
When I was a kid, one of my favourite things about summer was the library’s summer reading challenge. Every week, I would head on down and pick my book, then I’d read it, write a review, and take it back. I’d get my stamp and at the end of the 6 weeks, get a little medal. I loved it.
You could read whatever books you wanted, and it was a great way to keep you engaged with your books. Plus, one year I even won my age catagory for the best review! It was a proud moment.
But as we get older, we end up losing that endless summer feeling. Partly because time starts moving a lot quicker, partly because we don’t get the luxury of 6 weeks off to transform into the next iteration of ourselves.
I truly miss that reading challenge. So I’ve decided to do something about it.
My TBR is loooong, and there are so many books I’ve been meaning to read and not got around to.
Enter, the summer reading list.
I browsed my bookshelves as if I were in the bookshop, and picked 6 books to read this summer - and I’m so excited. Once I’ve finished, I’ll share a little review in here, and if you’ve read the book too, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
My summer reading list…
The Impossible Life by Matt Haig
You Are Here by David Nicholls
Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon by Mizuki Tsujimura
The Hotel at the Heart of the Lakes by Ellie Wood
The Trio by Johamma Hedman
Babel by R.F. Kuang
I can’t wait to get fully stuck into all of them, and by the end of August read some really good books!
Some summer reading inspo…
It can feel overwhelming knowing what to read, so here are some of my summer reading recommendations for if you’re stuck. I don’t know about you, but I love reading seasonally, so there are a collection of books that feel suitably summery
Evenings and Weekends by Oisin McKenna
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
Sunset by Jessie Cave
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
An Island Parish : A Summer on Scilly by Nigel Farrell
The Island Home by Libby Page
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
I’d love to hear what you’re reading this summer in the comments! Are you joining me on this summer reading challenge? Maybe I need to get some stickers to send out to everyone who completes 👀
Love this idea! Browsing my TBR pile like a book shop is a great way to pick a few books to focus on
I also used to love the reading challenge at the library!