As the pace of life begins to slow and the days stretch longer into the evening, summer creates the perfect setting to get lost in a good book. Whether you are reading by the pool, on vacation, or simply enjoying a quiet evening outdoors, the right story can make the season even more memorable.

This curated selection highlights books that pair well with summer- engaging, immersive, and perfect for long, uninterrupted reading sessions.

Featured Summer Reads

1. "Dead of Summer" (Mystery/ Thriller Fiction)

By Sherry Knowlton

In a tale of suspense that travels from Southcentral Pennsylvania to Africa to the iconic Woodstock Festival of 1969, Dead of Summer embroils Alexa Williams in the dangerous world of sex trafficking.

With help from friends, family, and her yoga practice, Alexa Williams is finally starting to recover from last autumn’s trauma of finding a dead body and the violence that ensued. The young attorney can’t believe that her summer has begun with the discovery of another body. This time, the dead woman was famous for her worldwide campaign against sex trafficking. The murder hits close to home: the late activist was a friend and mentor to Alexa’s best friend, Melissa.

While the town mourns, Alexa stumbles into a burglary at Melissa’s home, barely escaping serious harm. A client asks for help in convincing the police that her foster child is not a runaway, and Alexa learns that other local girls have gone missing. Drawn into the fight to save lost and exploited children, Alexa discovers a community of child activists. A local philanthropist wants Alexa to join his foster care empire. A sexy social worker and a hip college professor want a more personal connection with Alexa, but she is also drawn to the police detective leading the murder investigation.

Searching for answers, Alexa becomes entangled in a web of deception and danger that puts both her heart and her life at risk. By the time she discovers that the key to the present lies in the halcyon days of peace and music, it may be too late. 

View More: https://www.sunburypress.com/products/sherry-knowlton-dead-of-s406-214-181-manual?_pos=3&_sid=80499a2fb&_ss=r&variant=32912426729565 

2. "Summer of Meteors" (Historical Fiction)

By Kris Schaale

As the nation teeters on the edge of civil war, three women converge at the elegant Bedford Springs Hotel in Pennsylvania. Harriet Lane, strongminded and vivacious niece to President James Buchanan and the nation’s “Democratic Queen,” begins to question the cost of loyalty as her uncle’s stance on slavery casts a long shadow. Anne McCoy, a quiet Quaker widow, carries the scars of loss, and dangerous secrets. Juba, an enslaved nursemaid to a presidential guest, dreams of freedom and the family torn from her.

When a chance encounter with local agents of the Underground Railroad sparks a daring escape plan, loyalties are tested, and lives are forever changed. Meanwhile as scandal brews and radical abolitionist John Brown plots revolution nearby, these women must decide what they’re willing to risk for justice and each other.

Set against the backdrop of a divided America, Summer of Meteors is a powerful tale of courage, sacrifice, and the bonds forged in the fight for freedom. A forgotten summer where history burned across the sky and nothing, not even the stars, would ever look the same.

View More: https://www.sunburypress.com/products/summer-of-meteors?_pos=4&_sid=85d3c6710&_ss=r&variant=43616492027997 

3. "Three Rivers Home" (Historical Fiction)

By Lara Brenckle Malmont

Three Rivers Home weaves a narrative of heartache and hope, highlighting the sacrifices made for family and the relentless pursuit of a place to belong.

4. "Pennsylvania Mountain Landmarks Volume 1" (Travel Non-Fiction)

By Jeffrey R Frazier
This volume, and subsequent volumes, include accounts of the author’s explorations of little-traveled byways and remote hilltops in the mountains of Pennsylvania.  His descriptions and photos of the unique and unusual places he discovered will appeal to all those who seek adventure and who like to explore odd and mysterious places; places like the Devil’s Dining Room, the Indian Steps, the Thousand Steps, Ticklish Rock, Umbrella Rock, and many others that are highlighted in the Pennsylvania Mountain Landmarks series.  Much to his delight he also found that there are human interest stories and historical accounts that cling to these same spots and which seem as old as the rocks themselves; tales, that are steeped in the spiritual charm of the Native American and imbued with the pioneering spirit of the Pennsylvania wilderness as it existed when the earliest settlers penetrated its dark interior.  Such accounts are the stuff of which legends are made and which add color and mystique to the mountains, forming their very soul.  It is this breath of life, hints of a less-complicated and more compelling past that led the author to find the spots where it still survives, and to bask in the local color and lore that surround those places.   

View More: https://www.sunburypress.com/collections/jeffrey-r-frazier/products/pennsylvania-mountain-landmarks-volume-1?variant=41003284660317 

5. "The Reluctant RV Wife" (Travel Non-Fiction)

By Gerri Almand

Follow a reluctant wife and her excited husband through two humorously-conflicted years of RV travel. He wanted to go; she wanted to stay. They both learn, grow, and change as a new level of freedom evolves.

This book is light-hearted and humorous but at the same time serious. While not a How-To book, it gives lots of basic information about RVing. And while not a travelogue, it touches upon many travel destinations in the United States and Canada. On deeper levels, the book is about marital relationships, retiring and getting old, and finding a new kind of freedom through a minimalistic lifestyle.

After reading this book, you’ll never again look at one of those huge monstrosities driving down the road in quite the same way. The book answers questions for non-RVers and triggers chuckles of recognition from experienced RVers.

View More: https://www.sunburypress.com/products/gerri-almand-the-reluctan118-501-420-manual?_pos=4&_sid=f96cc7a7c&_ss=r&variant=32912435052637 

What Makes a Great Summer Read

Summer reading often looks a little different. Many readers gravitate toward books that are:

• Easy to pick up and put down
• Fast-paced and engaging
• Immersive enough to feel like an escape
• Thought-provoking but still accessible

Whether you prefer fiction, memoir, mystery, or history, summer is an ideal time to explore stories that pull you in quickly and stay with you long after the final page.

Build Your Summer Reading List

If you are planning your reading for the season, consider mixing:

• One or two page-turners for travel or downtime
• A reflective or thought-provoking title
• A new author you have not read before
• A book recommended by a friend or fellow reader

Exploring titles from traditional publishers such as Sunbury Press can also introduce you to unique perspectives and stories that stand apart from mainstream selections.

Take Your Reading Anywhere

One of the best parts of summer reading is its flexibility. Whether you are at the beach, in your backyard, or on the go, books can travel with you.

A well-chosen reading list can turn even small moments into meaningful ones.

Join the Conversation

What books are on your summer reading list?

We invite you to share your recommendations, current reads, and favorite genres. Your next great read may come from a simple suggestion.