12 Amazing Books I Read in Summer 2021
Summer is one of my favorite times to read. The more relaxed schedule makes me feel like I’m not so pressed for time, and I usually manage to fit in a few backlist titles I’ve been excited about reading.
This year was better and worse for me reading-wise. I have no shortage of books thanks to my early-pandemic massive orders to indie bookstores near me, as if somehow I alone could save their businesses. (Hopefully I did help, though!)
But I also had a lot of other stuff going on. Some physical. Some just the accumulated exhaustion from an overwhelming school year with my girls. In any case, it was more of a relief to hit summer than it usually is, but also not as much of a respite either.
In any case, I did get to read a number of really great titles, books that totally made my week. I also got to pass on some of my favorites to another reading friend and her daughter, so hopefully those books will be much read and loved there, and that makes me happy, too.
Anyway, without further ado, here’s the list of my favorite reads in summer 2021.
5 Awesome Middle Grade Books I Read in Summer 2021
I’ve only been reviewing middle grade books for a few years, but I can’t believe I overlooked them for so long. Often I find middle grade titles say things I didn’t know I needed to hear in a way that I never thought to put them. These are the best middle grade books I read this summer, and every one of them will stick with me a long time.
The Firebird Song by Arnée Flores
What you need to know: I feel like this book hit me straight in the center of my heart. It said so many things I needed to hear, and at exactly the right time. It centers on hope and the life-saving quality of unexpected friendships.
Published June 8, 2021 | My Review
4 Fantastic Young Adult Books I Read in Summer 2021
When I first started blogging, I only reviewed young adult fiction. In the years since, I’ve branched out into middle grade and nonfiction, and I love both of those, too, but YA will always hold a special place in my heart. These books were the best in YA that I read this past summer.
We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon
What you need to know: You probably know how I feel about Rachel Lynn Solomon, so there’s no surprise to her latest being in this list. This is another perfect, delightful rom-com featuring a baker and a harpist! So much to love.
Available June 8, 2021 | My Review
4 Incredible Nonfiction Books I Read in Summer 2021
I guess I could have lumped these in above, but it felt more right to give these nonfiction titles their own place to shine. These were so much fun to read. I found myself searching online for more information about the topics mentioned and eagerly turning pages in every single one. Several are backlist titles, but I couldn’t leave them out because they were such great books.
She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman by Erica Armstrong Dunbar
What you need to know: All the things about Harriet Tubman that you never knew. Wowza! The writing is so accessible and the biographical information about Tubman is truly amazing.
Available November 5, 2019 | My Review
Undecided by Genevieve Morgan
What you need to know: This is another backlist title. This book totally breaks down options for high school graduates from internships to charitable programs to military to college and gives tips for how to apply to or prepare for all of them. So much great information.
Available October 6, 2020 | My Review
The Magic and Mystery of Trees by Jen Green
What you need to know: This is a backlist title, but I did read it over the summer, and it’s AMAZING. Tells all kinds of incredible facts about trees, their lives, and how they interact with plants and animals around them. Beautifully illustrated. So much information on each page.
Available March 5, 2019 | My Review
Don’t Hate the Player is one I still want to get to. My library has it, so with review books winding down, I anticipate getting to it soon. I haven’t been too into gaming in a while, but I do enjoy books that include that world, and star-crossed lovers is always great. Glad to hear this was a hit for you
Yay for libraries! Same for me with gaming. I keep wanting to get back to it but finding the time is so challenging. It was fun to live vicariously with these characters, though I was never anywhere near as proficient as they are. 🙂