Summer Reading 2026

Posted June 8, 2026 by Emmy Mahoney

This past spring, I took the course, LIS 491 Reader’s Advisory. For this class, we were required to read nine books from nine different genres. I really enjoyed this course, as it took me outside of my reading comfort zone. This class has inspired me to challenge myself to read more books outside of my normal genres this summer. 

Since the end of the spring semester, I have already finished four books. The first two books are fantasy and a part of the Winternight Trilogy. They are called, The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden. I have also finished the romance novel, Book Lovers by Emily Henry. Finally, I read My Best Friend’s Exorcism, a YA horror. 

Fantasy, romance, and horror are genres that I usually read, so for my next few reads, I am planning on reading from a different genre. I do not typically read a lot of science fiction, so I am hoping to get my hands on Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, as well as The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu. The latter book is the sequel to The Three-Body Problem. I have also gotten my hands on some classic literature, specifically White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky, which I intend to read this summer.

I would be lying if I said I was also not considering books within my comfort zone for my summer reading list. I am really hoping to read the fantasy book, Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare, as well as the horror novel, Cackle by Rachel Harrison. 

Having a combination of books inside and outside of my genre comfort zone will definitely keep things interesting this summer. While it is fun to expand my horizons and challenge myself, at the end of the day, the most important part of my summer reading is that I am reading. I wish you all the best with your own summer reading adventures!