5 awesome novels for your summer reading pleasure

a selection of summer literary indulgences + stock up with our monthly ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kindle deals by favorite authors

Linda Stoll

May 13, 2025

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white and brown wicker basket with white textile — Photo by Evangelina Silina on Unsplash

Well hello dearest reading buddies.

I don’t know about your life, but this year May is a crazy month and June is even more insane. But definitely in a good way. I’ve discovered that I really like choosing my to-be-reads well ahead of time, so the books are ready and waiting when I’m ready to delve into my next read.

That’s why I love our library system.

When I come across a title that seems to be calling my name (usually from some fairly trustworthy online source), I can quickly log in, request it (large print if available), and then freeze it ‘til I’m good and ready to hunker down in a quiet place, a tall iced tea in hand.

I’ve gathered five books for your summer of 2025. (Plus a whole batch of Kindle bargains, of course, for those of you who travel light with your beloved e-reader.)

These picks will most likely transport you to another time and place. Some are pretty heavy duty, others a bit lighter fare. There might be some PG13 scenes or language. And, as always, the titles link to Amazon so you can sneak a peek at the book, read the reviews, and decide if it has your name on it. (Yes, I’m an affiliate and make a few cents off anything you purchase while you’re in there, thank you very much.)

Let’s go.

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The Story She Left Behind: A Novel
Patti Callahan Henry
captivating . enchanting . vintage Callahan Henry

The author writes, ‘I began this novel with a fascination about female writers who created entire languages to protect their words, thoughts, and stories from the judgment of family and wider society … The deep and wild imaginations of these real-life writers, as well as their profound connection to the natural world, held me in their grip during the writing.’

From South Carolina’s 1927 shores to a life-altering escape from London’s Great Smog in 1952, a daughter’s search for her long lost mother and a missing manuscript is a mystery that will keep you burning the midnight oil with all its unexpected twists and turns.

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North Woods: A Novel
Daniel Mason
ambitious . mysterious . curious

A New York Times Book Review Top Ten Book of the Year
A Washington Post Top Ten Book of the Year

Step out of your comfort zone into a complex genre, a spellbinding saga of a New England cabin and its inhabitants from the Puritans to centuries later, this is a collection of short stories with common themes and the strong presence of nature and the ever-changing land the cabin was built on. This out-of-the-box work will keep you on the edge of your seat … and have you looking back here and there to see if you could have ever imagined what would happen next.

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The Late Bloomers’ Club: A Novel
Louise Miller
charming . cozy . inviting

Miss Guthrie’s hometown diner, an old farmhouse, and an abandoned apple orchard set the scene as a small town battles against a big-box development. Watch for a little romance thrown in on the side. The perfect rural New England read.

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The Berry Pickers: A Novel
Amanda Peters
heart-breaking . gripping . compelling

2023 Barnes & Noble Discover Prize Winner
Winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction

In 1962, ‘A four-year-old Mi’kmaq girl goes missing from the blueberry fields of Maine, sparking a mystery that will haunt the survivors, unravel a family, and remain unsolved for nearly fifty years.’

A riveting saga, an impressive debut novel sparked by the powerful intermingling of grief and love.

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Counting Miracles: A Novel
Nicholas Sparks
vintage Sparks . romantic . heart-tugging

With over 130 million books sold worldwide, Sparks’ readers come back again and again for his trademark down south love stories. If you’re a fan, this one won’t disappoint. A dying grandmother’s challenge to ‘find where you belong’ sets an Army Ranger off to North Carolina to discover his roots … and a new love, and a bit of adventure.

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ KINDLE DEALS BY FAVORITE AUTHORS
* grab ‘em before they disappear!
Made for This: 40 Days to Living Your Purpose
Jennie Allen - $1.99

Healing Is a Choice: Ten Decisions That Will Transform Your Life & Ten Lies That Can Prevent You From Making Them
Stephen Arterburn - $2.99

The Next Story: Life & Faith after the Digital Explosion
Tim Challies - $2.99

The One-Life Solution: Reclaim Your Personal Life While Achieving Greater Professional Success
Henry Cloud - $1.99

Streams in the Desert
Mrs. Charles Cowman - $1.99

For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards
Jen Hatmaker - $1.99

God's Joyful Surprise: Finding Yourself Loved
Sue Monk Kidd - $4.99

Rebuilding Your Broken World
Gordon McDonald - $2.99

Chasing Vines: Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life
Beth Moore - $3.99

Delivered: Experiencing God's Power in Your Pain
Beth Moore - $3.99

Devotions from the Beach
Thomas Nelson - $3.99

Joy: Poet, Seeker, & the Woman Who Captivated C. S. Lewis
Abigail Santamaria - $3.99