Summer. Glorious summer. Hopefully you’ll get some time lying on a dock somewhere where you can immerse yourself in some great summer reading. And summer is the perfect set up for a binge worthy series!
Don’t know what to read? No problem.
Here are a few great series that will keep you busy all summer long!
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Here is a rundown of a few binge worthy series that may keep you busy this summer. (For these purposes I define series as 3 or more related books). From mystery to dystopian to romance, there is something for all tastes on this list!
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache Series. Louise Penny
These books, set in Three Pines, a small town in Canada, are a ton of fun. Great characters, plot lines that are hard to guess at, and interesting writing keep these books at the top of a lot of best series lists. The FIFTEENTH book of the series “A Better Man” comes out at the end of August, so these truly will keep you busy all summer long!
Best for: Mystery Lovers
The Stephanie Plum Series. Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum, a bond enforcer, is one of those characters that makes you laugh out loud. She manages to get herself into many tight spaces both in her personal life as well as her professional life. From the police officer love interest to the gossipy grandma, these novels are easy beach reading that will keep you entertained. The twenty sixth book of this series is coming out in November, so this series will also keep you very busy this summer.
Best For: People that don’t take themselves too seriously
The Millenium Trilogy. Stieg Larsson
Although the first fifty pages of these Swedish crime novels are somewhat slow going with all of the names of places you’ve never heard of, once Stieg Larsson gets going with his characters, you will be hooked. In my opinion, after Mr. Larsson’s death, the books written by the author tasked to take over the series aren’t quite as good, but you decide. Beware this author does not shy away from graphic details, so if you are squeamish, this series might not be for you.
Best For: People interested in international crime
The Divergent Series. Veronica Roth
This series is set in the future where society is divided into five different factions. The main character, Tris, is finding her way in a faction in which she did not grow up. This coming of age story highlights what it’s like to grow up when the rules aren’t clear. This is one of the first young adult dystopian series that I read and it was really quite entertaining.
Best for: Those who want to a true escape.
The Hunger Games Series. Suzanne Collins
If you haven’t read the Hunger Games, I’m not sure what you are waiting for. This young adult series is set in a world of every person for themselves meets reality TV. With action at all turns, this series examines what it is to put the individual first and how detrimental this can be for society.
Best for: Those who want a quick action packed read.
The Outlander Series. Diana Gabaldon
Diana Gabaldon is the master of historical romance, with a touch of fantasy. Epic in both narrative as well as time, Outlander follows the passionate romance of Claire and Jamie Fraser in the 1700s. Filled with battles, antagonistic characters, sexual tension, and a trip back in time, this series will keep you engaged. Each novel will keep you busy-they are not short!
Best for: Fans of Epic Historical Romance
The Slammed Series. Colleen Hoover.
If you like romance and you haven’t read Colleen Hoover, close your computer, go to the nearest bookstore and pick one up right now. She somehow has a knack for writing damaged characters that you really start to care about. This series follows Layken and Will, both damaged in their own way, who can’t help but fall in love. (Disclaimer don’t listen to them in audiobook-the narrator is super distracting).
Best for: People who are looking for beach read romance.
The Schuyler Sister Novels. Beatriz Williams
These novels follow the arcs of each of three sisters, Violet, Tiny, and Pepper as they navigate life and love in the 1960s. Written with a contemporary feel, these novels are perfect for a lazy day lying on the dock. Although The Secret Life of Violet Grant was written first (and is fantastic), Along the Infinite Sea was actually my favorite. I’m so jealous of anyone that has these three novels still ahead of them!
Best for: Readers who like smart fiction with strong women characters.
The Crazy Rich Asians Series. Kevin Kwan
Although these novels aren’t for everyone, if you are looking for a quick, no thinking required set of books that reads like one long trashy celebrity magazine article, this series is for you. Diving deep into the lives of the Asian elite, these books are full of wealth, jealousy, expectations and lavish living.
Best for: Avid readers of celebrity magazines.
The Harry Potter Series. JK Rowling
JK Rowling’s magical series will transport you to another world. I may be the only avid reader in the world that has not read these yet, but they are on my list for the summer. Both of my kids have read the whole series twice and are totally enamored. Give them the choice of Harry Potter anything and they are in. This is the perfect series if you are looking for a series you can share with your kids, and I’ve heard that the audio versions have a fantastic narrator. Road trip anyone?
Best for: Readers who would like to share a series with their kids.
The All Souls Trilogy. Deborah Harkness
This is another series that I have not read yet, but is on my summer reading list. People cannot get enough of these three books they have been recommended to me over and over. Hailed as a magical, imaginative, intelligent trilogy, it has been on all of the best sellers lists. Looking forward to diving into these!
Best for: Smart women who aren’t afraid of a little fantasy.
I realize I haven’t even come close to listing ALL of the best binge worthy series that are out there (there are SO, SO many). We’d love to hear what your favorite series are. Have you read these? Have others to suggest? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking for a few other reading related posts?
Friday Five: WithTwoSpoons Reads, my favorites so far
Books, Books, Books: How I Organize my Reading Life
The 5 Things You Need to Read this Weekend
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