YOUR SUMMER 2025 READING LIST CURATED BY ELIANA SMITH
Hi everyone,
I'm switching things up around here for the summer. Working on this newsletter has given me the deepest sense of purpose over the last four and a half years. It's the true joy of my life. But I'm also very conscious of the fact that in order to have something to say, sometimes you need the space to just be and live your life. I've found myself craving that space—and summer seems like the perfect time to take it.
So, I'm inviting a few friends to guest write for FWD JOY in place of my monthly essay. The interview (and podcast!) will still go out as usual, and paid subscribers will still receive their bonus newsletter. So, clearly this is not a full break, I'm just trying lighten my load a little—but I'm excited to share some bigger stories I've had brewing come fall. Also, I've noticed an influx of new subscribers over the past few days—welcome! I'm glad to have you here! Feel free to dig into the archives— there's plenty there to get you caught up. One last important note: my last newsletter went to the dreaded promotions tab and I'm not sure why. If you love me, as I love you, please move FWD JOY to your primary inbox.
Now, I'm thrilled to introduce my first guest editor: Eliana Smith. She recently completed her master's in modern and contemporary literature at University College London, and I couldn't think of anyone better to curate the ultimate summer reading list. We met at a mutual friend's wedding in Portugal last year, and I was instantly drawn in by her book recs (I bought On Writing by Stephen King the moment she posted about it!). She's also incredibly stylish—and as it turns out, we share a birthday: March 6. Clearly, people born on that day have impeccable taste.
After spending 2024 reading 50 books to cut down on screen time, Eliana launched her NYC-based book club, Dwelle Literature, in January. Anyway, I'll let her take it from here…
As a 24-year-old who studied English in undergrad and recently completed a Master’s in English literature, reading and books are an immeasurable part of my life. Closing my time in school (for now) was more depressing than I expected, and I missed reading three to four books a week and preparing for discussions on those books. As a result, I founded Dwelle Literature, a book club that focuses on fiction written by women and people of color. In a world as ever-changing and unpredictable as ours, I believe in fostering community and creating safe spaces for open discussion. Dwelle is open to all readers, and you can join us at dwelleliterature.com! I also frequently post book reviews and book lists on my Substack.
I primarily read literary fiction, but during the summer, I reach for the sun-drenched, love-heavy escapist novels. I like books with bright covers that can be thrown from beach bags to carry-on suitcases. I want to read something mesmerizing, with lovable characters, spicy relationships, and thoughtful undertones of real-life dynamics. If that’s up your alley, here are ten books I recommend.
Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead
Set in the summer of 1985, Sag Harbor follows 15-year-old Benji Cooper and his adolescent adventures in Sag Harbor: a small community of African Americans on Long Island. If you’re like me and have always wondered about this East Coast oasis, this novel details it all. Benji is awkward, curious, and desperate to be liked. His naivety, especially around girls and social cues, is entertaining and charming—perfect for your beach bag. Dwelle has selected Sag Harbor as our book for June, so join us this month in a read and discussion!
The Wedding by Dorothy West
In a similar vein to Sag Harbor, The Wedding by Dorothy West takes place on another private escape for upper-class African Americans: Martha’s Vineyard. This story, set in the 1950s, follows Shelby Cole and the road to her wedding, which has attracted everyone’s attention. Why? Well, against her prominent Black family’s wishes, Shelby has decided to marry a white jazz musician. Aside from the novel's remarkable exploration of class, racial, and professional dynamics amongst African Americans, The Wedding has some of the most elegant and whimsical prose I’ve ever read.
Fish Tales by Nettie Jones
Looking for a true hot girl summer read? This is it. Lewis Jones is a wild, passionate woman who lives in a consistent loop of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Each chapter presents a new lover, and I can assure you, you’ll never guess what happens next. This is not for the faint of heart! I can honestly say that I’ve never read anything like this, and for that reason, I think it’s superb.
Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman
Escapism at its finest. Pick this up if you’re looking for a story to transport you to the Italian Riviera. I don’t know what’s better: the enchanting countryside, the riveting conversations about academia, or the once-in-a-lifetime romantic love that blossoms between Elio and Oliver. I savoured every single page in this story, and yes, it’s better than the movie. I rarely re-read books, but I can’t wait to start this one again.
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Taking place over seven days in Brooklyn, Eva and Shane unexpectedly reconnect and simultaneously recall their teenage love affair twenty years prior. This mature romance novel unpacks the reality of Black creatives, modern motherhood, and the kind of love that never leaves you. Seven Days in June is heart-warming and sentimental, but it is also deep and dark, so check your trigger warnings.
Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine
Sometimes in the summer, I prefer a big book that I can sink my teeth into and bring along with me like a travel companion. If that sounds like you, then I’d recommend Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine. Set in 1860 on a plantation in Alabama, Junie is a historical fiction novel that follows sixteen-year-old Junie as she navigates life as an enslaved handmaid. Junie’s character is impulsive, kind, and clever, but the grief from losing her sister overwhelms her so much that it awakens her sister’s ghost. Eckstine does an incredible job of reimagining a horrific time in history in a manner that inspires hope.
Until August by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Despite the controversy surrounding the publication of this novella, Until August is an extraordinary exploration of love and freedom. Every summer, Ana Magdalena Bach, a married woman with children, travels solo to the island where her mother is buried. What once began as an annual tribute to her mother turns into a tradition of detaching from responsibility. Every August, for one night, Ana indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. This 100-page story is an insightful nod to the sacrifices of heterosexual marriage, motherhood, and womanhood.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
You can believe the Book-Tok hype on this one! I canceled several plans last summer to stay in and read this. The story begins at a summer camp where a thirteen-year-old girl goes missing. Eerily enough, her older brother went missing fourteen years prior and was never found. The God of the Woods is a great summer read if you prefer mystery and thriller over romance. Don’t be intimidated by the length; it goes by quickly, and I didn’t see the end coming!
Simple Passion by Annie Ernaux
At only 70 pages, this one’s for the girls with short attention spans. Written like a diary, Simple Passion exposes the mind and behavior of a woman who's obsessed with her affair with a married man. Ernaux’s writing is raw, electrifying, and deeply personal. Simple Passion is the OG situationship. How much would you risk for love?
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
I can’t talk about beach reads without mentioning Emily Henry. Hate all you want, but the girl knows how to deliver a summer romance! I’ve read four of her books, and Book Lovers is my favorite. Nora, a ferocious literary agent, heads to the tiny town of Sunshine Falls to visit her sister for the summer. There she meets Charlie, a well-known editor, who wants nothing to do with her … at first. You can guess what happens next. The plot lines in Henry’s novels are intentionally predictable because sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.