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Summer break is here… we’ve made it, teacher friends! The kids are gone, you’ve packed up your classroom, turned off your alarm, and now it’s officially time to RELAX. If you know me, you know I’m a big reader, and one of my favorite ways to unwind and relax is to read for fun. Now, of course I love a good professional development book (I even wrote one all about how to teach small groups with confidence!), but sometimes, you just need a book that you can get totally lost in. The kind that keeps you up wayyyy too late because you have to know what happens next. No wonder I’m so tired sometimes! In this blog post, I’m rounding up 10 of the best books to read this summer. These are the books I’ve loved, cried over, stayed up until 2:00 AM reading, and immediately recommended to every friend who would listen.
So head to your favorite reading spot, pour yourself an iced coffee (or margarita…I’m not judging), and let’s talk about some great summer reads for teachers!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Before we get started, I wanted to share how I approach summer reading as a teacher. During the summer, I’m usually reading two books at once… a fun fiction book that keeps me up way too late and a professional development book that gets me excited for the school year ahead.
In fact, this summer we’re doing a book study for my book, Small Groups, Big Impact, and I absolutely love seeing teachers grow together while still making plenty of time for fun reads.
Because here’s the thing…you don’t have to choose between becoming a better teacher and taking care of yourself. Summer is long enough for both.
So yes, read the PD book. Highlight it. Dog-ear the pages. Then close it, grab a romance, thriller, or fantasy novel, and get completely lost in another world. There’s no rules when it comes to summer reads for teachers!
If you’ve ever asked me for a book recommendation, chances are this is the one I suggested.
This is hands-down one of my favorite books of all time.
It’s emotional, beautifully written, and one of those stories that sticks with you long after you finish the last page. It weaves together romance, history, and family in a way that’s absolutely unforgettable.
I know… you’ve seen it everywhere and probably thought to yourself, “Is it worth the hype?!”
Yes, yes it is. Just trust me.
Think… The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter… but with dragons.
It’s action-packed, addictive, and one of those books where you keep saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s 1:30 in the morning. Ooops!
I love this entire series and can’t wait for the next one to come out.
This one feels like summer wrapped up in a book. If you’re looking for a nostalgic second-chance romance that’ll have you dreaming about lakeside vacations, this is it.
And yes, it was recently made into an Amazon series, but I’ll be honest… I liked the book WAY better.
Once you finish it, be sure to pick up One Golden Summer too!
Emily Henry just gets it. Her books are funny, sweet, emotional, and always have characters that feel like real people.
Book Lovers is probably my favorite Emily Henry novel and makes the perfect vacation read.
Bonus points if you’re reading it beside a pool with a giant Diet Coke.
This book holds a special place in my heart because it is the book that made me fall in love with reading as an adult. It was the first Colleen Hoover book I ever read years ago, and honestly… I’ve reread it several times.
It’s not her most popular book, but it’s still one of my favorites. Just know it’s the first in a trilogy, so be prepared to immediately grab books 2 and 3.
If you need a break from romance novels and want to mix it up, this one’s for you. It’s part thriller, part mystery, part hilarious true crime podcast.
Yes… those things somehow all work together.
I flew through this book because every chapter left me needing to know what happened next.
If you love crime novels, Melinda Leigh is one of my go-to authors.
Cross Her Heart is the first book in the Bree Taggert series, and once you start, you’ll probably end up reading the entire series.
The books are easy reads, fast-paced, and keep you hooked from the start. They’re nearly impossible to put down.
Even better? Many of her books are included with Kindle Unlimited.
Sometimes you just need a Hallmark movie in book form, am I right?!
This clean small-town romance is the perfect blend of sweet, cheesy, and full of lovable characters.
It’s the first in a series by an independent author, and it’s one of those comfort reads that leaves you smiling and wanting more.
Another bonus? It’s also available through Kindle Unlimited.
If you’ve read Abby Jimenez before, you already know she somehow makes you laugh and cry within the same chapter.
This book has everything I love… great characters, heartfelt romance, humor, and all the feelings. It’s the kind of story you’ll keep thinking about days after you finish.
If you haven’t read a Kristin Hannah book yet, this is a great place to start. In my opinion, she does historical fiction better than anybody!
This book is beautifully written, heartbreaking, and powerful. Definitely keep tissues handy because this one is an emotional rollercoaster.
If you’re balancing fun summer reads for teachers with a little professional learning (my favorite combo!), I’d love for you to check out my book, Small Groups, Big Impact.
Whether you’re brand new to guided math or looking to improve your small group instruction, this book walks you through exactly how to make math time more effective and less overwhelming.
It’s practical, encouraging, and full of strategies you can implement right away.
If you’re looking for even more of the best books to add to your summer TBR (To Be Read) list, I’ve put together an entire collection of my favorite books over on my Amazon storefront so you can browse even more recommendations.
Click here to shop all of the best books to read this summer.
If you’re anything like me, once summer starts, you suddenly become convinced you can read approximately 47 books before back-to-school season.
(It’s an ambitious goal…but I support it and will take on the challenge with you!).
One of my favorite ways to save money is with Kindle Unlimited.
For less than $10 a month, you can:
Several of the books on my recommendation list, including many by Melinda Leigh and Susan Henshaw, are available through Kindle Unlimited.
If you’ve never tried it before, you can check out the free trial HERE.
Can I leave you with one piece of advice this summer? Make room in your reading schedule for multiple genres!
Read the professional development book.
Highlight the pages and get excited about new ideas for your classroom.
And…
Read the romance.
Read the thriller.
Read the dragon book.
Read the one everyone keeps telling you about.
Your teacher heart deserves inspiration, but you deserve a break, too.
The best summers are the ones where you come back feeling both prepared and refreshed. So don’t feel guilty for making time for summer reads that have nothing to do with lesson plans or classroom management. Those stories fill your cup in a different way, and that’s just as important.
Now, I’ve gotta know…what’s the best book you’ve read this summer? Drop it in the comments because I’m always looking for my next great read!
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