The Weekender: 4th of July Reads to Light Up Your Weekend
Happy 4th of July!
As we head into the 4th of July weekend, we've added some fun summer reads to your long-weekend recommendation list.
This Friday, we're spotlighting the books we can't put down—perfect companions for your road trip, poolside lounge, or quiet morning coffee. Whether you're revisiting a classic or discovering something new, here are our top book picks to bring along this holiday weekend.
Renee’s Recommendation
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, adapted into a hit Amazon Prime series, captures the Fourth of July and summer zeitgeist with nostalgic, sun-soaked vibrancy. Set in Cousins Beach, the novel and its TV adaptation use the holiday as a pivotal backdrop, embodying the carefree yet emotionally charged essence of youth. The Fourth of July in Cousins is steeped in tradition—Susannah’s beach house is adorned with festive decor, clams are steamed, and fireworks light the sky, evoking a quintessential American summer.
Belly Conklin, nearly 16, navigates a love triangle with brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, amplifying the summer’s romantic fever. The holiday episode crackles with tension: margaritas flow, chaos erupts, and a near-kiss between Belly and Conrad is interrupted, encapsulating teenage impulsivity and longing. The beach bonfire and drunken antics reflect the era’s Y2K-esque freedom, where teens revel in fleeting independence. Han’s prose and the show’s visuals—think sandy toes and twinkling lights—nail the early 2000s summer vibe, making the Fourth a microcosm of growing pains and fleeting magic. With the new season coming out, revisit the book or rewatch the series!
Katherine’s Recommendation
Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez
I have been loving Abby Jimenez's books lately, so it came as no surprise to me that I would love Just For The Summer. I went in expecting a fun summer fling story—and ended up fully obsessed. The main characters’ personalities shone from the beginning, so I found myself quickly attached to their stories. The banter is perfect, the chemistry is wonderful, and the emotional depth totally caught me off guard (in the best way). Light, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt. I loved it!
Renee’s Recommendation
Elin Hilderbrand’s Nantucket Novels
Hilderbrand’s Nantucket novels, like Nancy Thayer’s, thrive on their vivid sense of place and emotional stakes, making them perfect for the Fourth of July’s mix of celebration and reflection. Set primarily on Nantucket, capture the essence of summer with their blend of romance, drama, and coastal charm. Her works resonate with the Fourth of July and summer zeitgeist through their evocative settings—think sandy beaches, clambakes, and starry nights—and themes of family, love, and community.
Gretchen’s Recommendation
Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer
Nancy’s book, Summer Light on Nantucket, once again transports us to the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the island. Two strong themes, first loves and family, make this a wonderful, relatable story. Our heroine, Blythe, is navigating her changing teenagers, her exes' remarriage, her beautiful relationship with her ex-mother-in-law, and memories of her first love. I love that Nancy creates family in so many different ways. There can be close girlfriends, exes, extended family, adopted families, or neighbors, and she creates a world where we can see ourselves in these wonderful, challenging, loving, ever-changing relationships. I couldn’t put this one down, it was a fun mini-vacation.
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