As temperatures rise and daylight hours lengthen, summer offers the perfect opportunity to delve into compelling literary fiction. Whether you seek stories that uplift, provoke thought, or transport you to unfamiliar worlds, these carefully selected novels promise memorable reading experiences.
This curated list aligns with the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, inviting readers to explore new voices and stories. Below are some of the most anticipated literary fiction titles to consider this season.
The Nantucket Restaurant
By Pamela M. Kelley
Three sisters—Mandy, Emma, and Jill O’Toole—maintain a close bond despite living across the United States. Upon the passing of their beloved grandmother, they inherit joint ownership of her Nantucket home and Mimi’s Place, a cherished island restaurant. However, before selling the establishment, they must manage it for one year, prompting them to revisit their pasts and reassess their futures in this heartfelt narrative.
The World to Come
By Dara Horn
A priceless Marc Chagall painting is stolen from a museum, and Benjamin Ziskind, a former child prodigy, emerges as the unlikely thief. Convinced the artwork once adorned his parents’ home, Benjamin embarks on a journey that spans New Jersey, Soviet Russia, and Vietnam. The painting unravels his family’s complex history across generations, revealing surprising truths along the way.
North River
By Pete Hamill
Set against the backdrop of 1930s New York during the Great Depression, this novel follows Dr. James Delaney, a physician who cares for his impoverished neighbors but struggles with emotional numbness stemming from war trauma and personal loss. His life changes unexpectedly when his three-year-old grandson arrives, and a stern Sicilian caretaker named Rose enters the household, bringing new hope and healing.
Miss Jane
By Brad Watson
Inspired by the author’s great aunt, Miss Jane tells the story of Jane Chisolm, a woman born with a genital birth defect in early 20th-century rural Mississippi. Free from conventional gender expectations, Jane forges her own path, challenging societal norms and inspiring those around her with her independence and spirit.
The Illicit Happiness of Other People
By Manu Joseph
Seventeen-year-old Unni Chacko’s death three years prior has left his family in a state of unresolved grief. His father, a journalist, struggles with addiction; his mother battles resentment, and his brother wrestles with unspoken desires. When a post office delivery reveals a comic drawn by Unni, the family embarks on a journey to understand their lost son and attempt to heal their fractured relationships.
The Last Chinese Chef
By Nicole Mones
After the death of her husband, American food writer Maggie McElroy faces an unexpected paternity claim in China. Sent to profile Sam Liang, the culinary star behind the claim, Maggie uncovers hidden chapters of her late husband’s past. As she becomes immersed in Chinese culinary culture and Sam’s family life, Maggie experiences transformation both personal and professional.
Wash
By Margaret Wrinkle
Set in early 19th-century Tennessee, Wash explores the turbulent life of Richardson, a Revolutionary War veteran navigating financial ruin and westward expansion. The novel centers on Wash, an enslaved man born into bondage, whose journey toward self-understanding is guided by a healer named Pallas. Their relationship offers hope amid the harsh realities of slavery and power struggles.
For readers eager to discover more, subscribe to the Early Bird Books newsletter for daily ebook deals and literary recommendations.
