How to Build the Ultimate Summer Reading List

? This post is the first in my Summer Reading Lifestyle series — designed to help you romanticise your reading routine, choose the perfect books for your mood, and escape into stories all season long.

? Keep an eye out for the next post: Quick Reads for Holidays and Weekend Trips — coming soon!

Ever find yourself scrolling through endless book lists, desperately trying to find that perfect summer read — only to end up rereading something from 2016 because the pressure of choosing is just too much?

Same.

There’s something about summer that makes me crave fast-paced, unputdownable reads. The kind you can devour in the shade with an iced coffee (my happy place), while pretending your toddler isn’t about to start watering the cat again.

So if you’re after a no-fuss way to build a reading list that actually suits your summer, I’ve got you. This guide is equal parts fun, practical, and built for mood readers like us.

1. Pick a “Vibe” Not a Genre

A sunlit bedroom with sheer curtains billowing from the breeze. A book open mid-chapter rests on a pale pink quilt, and a glass of iced tea with lemon sits on the windowsill. The atmosphere is dreamy, fresh, and inviting.

Genres are useful, sure. But vibes are where the magic happens.

Start by asking:

Do I want to feel cosy, flirty, tense, magical, heartbroken, or just thoroughly entertained?

I tend to lean towards quick, tense reads but can never say no to a bit of flirting and magic in summer — books that are light, addictive, and don’t take themselves too seriously. You know the ones: short chapters, witty banter, twists you never saw coming.

? Try This: Split your summer reads into categories like Flirty Escapes, Fast-Paced Thrillers, and Light-hearted Magic

2. Create a Shortlist You Can Abandon Guilt-Free

A gingham picnic blanket spread out on the grass with a stack of colourful paperbacks, sunglasses, and a woven straw hat. Nearby, a half-drunk iced coffee glistens in the sun. Everything feels playful and leisurely.

The point of a summer reading list isn’t to stress you out.

It’s to give you options. Think of it like a bookish picnic basket — you don’t have to eat the cherry bakewell, but it’s nice to know it’s there.

Keep it flexible. I like to pick 6–10 books and let my mood guide me from there.

3. Revisit Your Favourites (or That One Book Everyone’s Talking About)

A cosy rattan chair on a shaded veranda with a blanket draped over one arm. A book lies face-down beside a second one, bookmarked halfway through. There’s a notebook open with scribbled ratings and mini reviews.

There’s no shame in rereading something comforting or finally diving into a hyped book.

Here are a few I’ve either read and loved or have on my list this year:

? Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister – time-bending thriller with emotional depth.
? Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood – cosy, magical, and laugh-out-loud funny.
?️‍♀️ The Perfect Guest by Ruth Irons – an edge-of-your-seat slightly uncomfortable thriller.
? Happy Place by Emily Henry – because we all need a bit of summer romance.

? Bonus Tip: Pop one re-read and one “wild card” on your list — just for fun.

Treat yourself to your next read by using one of my affiliate links (at no cost to you): Waterstones | Amazon | Bookshop.org

✨ Amy’s Note:

A whimsical reading corner tucked under a blooming garden arch, complete with fairy lights, floral cushions, and a steaming mug swapped out for a tall iced latte. Books are scattered with intention.

My list came together while I was hiding in the garden, sipping an iced coffee, and pretending I wasn’t ignoring the laundry again. There’s something so joyful about dreaming up a little seasonal stack of books. It doesn’t need to be perfect — just yours.

Make space for books that light you up, make you laugh, or pull you into a world you never want to leave. That’s the magic, right?

? Try This:

? Want more cosy content? Pop over to Library of Rivendell on Etsy and browse my bookish prints

? Pin this post so you can revisit it anytime your TBR starts spiralling

? Let’s Chat:

What kind of books do you always reach for in summer? Or do you wing it completely? Let me know in the comments — I’m always up for a good recommendation swap!

✨ If this post sparked a longing for slower days and story-filled sunshine, you’ll love the rest of my Summer Reading Lifestyle series — a whimsical celebration of outdoor reading, gentle adventures, and cosy hobbit-hearted moments. Head to the blog to explore the full collection and make this your most magical summer yet. ?

Amy x