These scorching page turners will make you want for summer to stay longer—but with more bearable temperatures preferably.
Summer has been making its presence felt—a little too much, unfortunately. Cue in trooping to the cool comfort of malls, consuming copious amounts of ice-cold drinks, and longing for refreshing dips in the pool or the ocean.
Wherever you’re headed for your summer getaway, one thing you shouldn’t forget is to bring the perfect summer read. It can’t be just any book, it has to be one that can make you forget reality for a while. It has to be so good you won’t be able to tear yourself away.
From gripping mysteries, swoony romances to immersive memoirs, this selection of summer reads is perfect for lazy days spent in the company of an unforgettable book. So sit back, relax, and let the pages whisk you away.
I’m Not Done With You Yet by Jesse Sutanto
When it comes to the perfect summer read, there’s nothing like a tasty and gripping thriller. So gripping that you might have to consume several rounds of cocktails while reading (Don’t say we didn’t warn you.)
Here’s the juicy story: Jane is an unhappy and broke mid-list writer who’s stuck in a marriage and a house she disdains. Her glory days far behind, Jane’s biggest regret was having a row with her friend and former MA Creative Writing classmate Thalia who had vanished without a trace. Now, ten years later, Thalia is back—in a big and bold way. Jane’s jaw drops as she sees her friend’s name splashed on the New York Times bestseller list with a book entitled A Most Pleasant Death.
Jane packs her bags to attend her friend’s book event, and the crazies begin.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
At this time of the year, the summer heat can be unforgiving and unbearable. So why not blast into space for a cool interstellar adventure?
The story starts when promising molecular biologist-turned-high school teacher Ryland Grace wakes up in a spaceship with amnesia. He has no idea who he is or where he’s headed. To make matters worse, his two crew mates are dead.
With the clock ticking, Grace faces the daunting task of piecing together his memories to discover who he is and also save humanity. Grab this fun and unputdownable book before the release of its film adaptation slated for 2026.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Book after book, the acclaimed contemporary romance author Emily Henry has captivated readers with her beautifully written, high-energy novels. Any one of her five successful rom-coms would have made a great summer read, but Beach Read, with its cheeky title, is an obvious shoo-in.
Beach Read is about a disillusioned romance author and a literary fiction writer who agrees to swap genres for the summer to combat writer’s block. If it sounds like a straightforward romance novel, it’s not. There’s grief, loss, familial betrayal, and also, cults thrown in.
The Seven-Year Slip by Ashley Poston
This summer, get pampered by another cozy romance, this time, one that’s sprinkled with magic.
Inspired by the band Motion City Soundtrack’s song – “It’s not a matter of time, but a matter of timing,” author Ashley Poston weaves a bittersweet tale about Clementine, an overworked book publicist, who meets a stranger in her late aunt’s apartment, a guy with a Southern drawl, kind eyes, and a taste for lemon pies. In short, he’s perfect! But here’s the rub: the man exists in the past, seven years ago to be exact.
We know what you’re thinking: this better have a happy ending. No worries, it does!
ASAP by Axie Oh
What’s missing from that comfy hammock you’re lounging in? This book! The much-anticipated companion novel to the bestselling XOXO. ASAP focuses on fan favorites Sori, the wealthy daughter of a K-pop company owner, and Nathaniel, her ex-boyfriend and famous K-pop star, in a swoon-worthy second-chance love story.
Fluffy, sweet, and vibrant, just like your sunshine-filled vacation.
Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad
Nothing beats actually going to Japan but in case you are planning to, then you’d definitely enjoy this book and find it handy as you plan your adventures.
Spanning ten years and all forty-seven prefectures, YouTube sensation Chris Broad unravels the many charms of Japan in this insightful and hilarious memoir.
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
If you’re interested in gaining a new skill or improving yourself this season, then look no further as this book is for you.
Bestselling author Cal Newport teaches the art of focused or deep work as a super power in our increasingly competitive twenty-first-century economy. This is a book you can read without distractions during your summer break.
It doesn’t get more meta than that, does it?
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
In this heartfelt and candid memoir, the late Matthew Perry invites readers on an extraordinary journey through the highs and lows of his life, from childhood dreams to Hollywood fame, addiction, and ultimately, recovery.
Here, Perry bares it all—the good, the ugly, and everything in between. For fans of the show, Perry’s firsthand narrative offers an intimate connection, like confiding in a trusted friend.
RIP, Matthew Perry, our forever Chandler Bing.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
Summer reading doesn’t have to be all fast-paced thrillers and saccharine romances. After all, everyone needs a different genre to dive into every now and then, much more when you’re out and about on a vacation.
To the casual eye, this book, known for its minimalist plot about a young woman who decides to hibernate for a year to sleep away her depression and wake up a new person, sounds far from being a page-turner. Yet, laced with sarcasm, full of self-awareness, and written impeccably, Moshfegh’s masterpiece is a shockingly mesmerizing read you’ll have a hard time putting down.
Fully Booked’s got you covered if you need to make your summer more exciting with the season’s best reads. Browse its Summer Collection here, and enjoy free shipping for a minimum purchase of P799. Stay hydrated and enjoy the summer!
