When you think of summer, what comes to mind? Nice weather? Sunshine? Popsicles and ice-cream? Pool parties? Summertime tends to encapsulate some of our most treasured memories from childhood and make us feel young again. We yearn to roam around wild and free, often with vacation on our minds.

It is a great time to catch up on reading as well. Whether you are relaxing on the beach or by the pool, a good book will fit in anywhere. 

Here are some great books to read this summer: 

1. Wave Woman by Vicky Heldreich Durand

This true story of Betty Pembroke Helderich Winstedt, a pioneer in the sport of women’s surfing, will have you on the edge of your seat as you read about her studies, elopement, and following her dream of living near the ocean. Written by her daughter, this story speaks volumes to any woman needing a little self-confidence this summer. 

2. Gridley Girls by Meredith First

Meg, Anne, Jennifer, and Tonya were best friends in their small town. Now as they live professional lives in a bigger city, they all discover how, in many ways, they still feel defined by their high school reputations. As Meg is hosting the wedding of her dreams for Anne, they reminisce about high school and the differences they both feel towards those memories. 

3. 25 Sense by Lisa Henthorn

When Claire Malone moves to New York to get a piece of the city life and live her dream career, she doesn’t expect to add sleeping with her married boss to the list. By the time she wakes up on her 25th birthday, she realizes that, although she is a year older, she still isn’t done with making stupid mistakes. This book is for all the girls who are struggling with adulthood, even when society views them otherwise. 

4. And Now There’s You by Susan S. Etkin

Leila Brandt lost her husband to cancer and copes by working hard and surrounding herself with grown children, family, and friends. Until Ayden Doyle steps into the picture, that is. As an architect for her new client’s home, Leila can’t escape his arrogant attitude. But despite the animosity, there is some chemistry hidden under there. A perfect beach read for anyone who loves a good romance novel. 

5. Stutterer Interrupted by Nina G.

Meet Nina G, the San Francisco Bay Area’s only female stuttering comedian. When she started comedy about ten years ago, she was the only woman in the world of stand-up who stuttered. She proves to everyone that it isn’t the disability that is an issue, but the society that isn’t always inclusive. Read all about her and how she made it in a mostly male-dominated career. 

6. I Love You Like That by Heather Cumiskey

After the recent “death” of Deacon, her former mysterious boyfriend, and first love, Hannah Zandana goes after a slew of guys who aren’t good for her. As her mother’s addiction pulls the family apart and her father stays in denial, Hannah and her sister are left alone. When Deacon wakes up in a hospital outside of town and learns his “death” has placed him in the middle of a federal undercover operation, he is thrown into the world of Miami drug cartels.

7. Never Sit If You Can Dance by Jo Giese

Jo grew up convinced that she never wanted to be like her mother, the one who liked to drink, dance, and stay up late. However, she soon realizes that though she may keep kale and almond milk in her fridge while her mom has tomato aspic and stewed rhubarb in hers, they may be more similar than she had once thought. 

8. The Greek Persuasion by Kimberly K. Robeson

Thair Mylopoulos-Wright is a Greek-American professor. One day, she decides to spend a summer alone in Greece and writes about her grandmother’s experiences in 1940s Egypt, her mother’s life in 1960s Greece, and her own life in America. Thair’s story explores the complex nature of mother-daughter relationships, sexuality, and the differences in generations. 

9. The Elegant Out by Elizabeth Bartasius

Elizabeth dreams of characters, plot lines, and babies—however, her love, Gabe does not. As she dives into writing and strives to achieve her goal of publishing, her ideas of kids are put on hold. But when everyone around her starts announcing pregnancies, her obsession comes back, along with depression. This book addresses the desire to have kids to avoid feelings of inadequacy and fear.

10. Above the Star by Alexis Marie Chute

When Archie, a senior citizen goes looking for his missing son in the Spanish Canary Islands, he finds a different mission: locating a magical cure for his ailing fourteen-year-old granddaughter, Ella.

When Ella is captured, her mother Tessa, and Archie—with the help of a company of peculiar allies—set out to save her and unravel the terrible mystery of her cure.