12 books we're reading this summer

Unplug with these recommended reads to learn from and unwind with this season.

Summer has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, and for many of us, that means an opportunity to step away from the screens and refresh our internal batteries. Wherever your summer vacation takes you, one pastime that doesn’t require any travel is to escape with a good old-fashioned book.

Just over half of all Americans read more than one book in 2023, and according to Gallup, Americans read fewer books each year. It’s reasonable to attribute this trend to the increasing amount of information that can be accessed digitally — from short-form video to online courses, it’s now possible to learn and be entertained across many formats.

However, the value of reading a physical book or ebook, or listening to an audiobook, is the opportunity to engage with ideas and stories for a sustained period. This allows us to exercise our brains in deep thinking. Studies show that reading fiction can even boost emotional intelligence.

Looking for a book that’s so riveting you can’t easily put it down? The team at Modus has you covered. Here are 12 books we recommend for your beach bag or your nightstand.

Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport

Summer vacation is a time to unplug. Easier said than done when your phone is by your side, earbuds are in your ears, and notifications are pinging non-stop. To do a better job of truly letting go of digital distractions, Newport warns us of the risks of digital overexposure and shows us the way to healthier, more grounded habits.

Dune by Frank Herbert

Whether you’ve seen the big-screen adaptions or not (and you should), and even if you read this science fiction classic during high school, Frank Herbert’s mystical coming-of-age story is the perfect beach read. It’s easy to imagine yourself on the desert planet Arrakis when you’re surrounded by sand — but hopefully no sandworms.

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

A tale of identity theft with dark twists and turns, this psychological thriller will take you from the beautiful scenes and people of the Amalfi Coast to the depths of deception. And yes, it’s been turned into a stunning Netflix series, but the original 1955 version is an unforgettable study of an unraveling. “I'm going to enjoy what I've got as long as it lasts,” Tom Ripley tells Marge — and isn’t that the whole point of summer?

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

This book takes escaping to another world quite literally. What if you woke up in an alternative reality — one where you are wildly successful? How hard would you fight to make it back home? Jason, our protagonist, must confront his many choices that have led to many realities in this multi-dimensional sci-fi thriller.

Endurance by Alfred Lansing

A survival story of human resilience so hard to believe, it should be fiction — but it’s not. While you’re tanning in the hot sun or relaxing by the pool, count your blessings that you’re not aboard a failed Antarctic mission in 1915. The lessons in leadership, ingenuity, and unwavering perseverance in the face of hardship will surely inspire your next bout of problem-solving.

The Lost City of the Monkey God, by Douglas Preston

For those who enjoy archaeology with a smidge of tech thrown in, this is another true story of real people on a real adventure. The author joins a team of scientists on a mission to find ancient ruins of a long-forgotten civilization deep in the rainforests of Honduras using lidar mapping technology. If you’re in the mood for a scientific discovery — complete with flesh-eating parasites — this one’s for you.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This one comes highly recommended in audiobook format — written interview style, the story of a fictional 1970s rock band comes to life with a strong cast. Follow along as the beautiful free spirit, Daisy, rises to fame and experiences all of the good and bad that comes with it.

Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Evolution by Cat Bohannon

Yes, this is a book about women, but it’s a fascinating read for everyone of any gender because science has overlooked women for centuries. From discovering the origins of lactation in a 205-million-year-old weasel to unpacking the differences in how women see, smell, and hear the world, Bohannon uncovers each step of evolutionary science in a remarkably readable way.

ADHD is Awesome by Penn and Kim Holderness

Another great read that also translates well to an audiobook listen, this one’s for anyone who wants to better understand neurodiversity. Written from the perspective of someone living with ADHD and his non-ADHD spouse, and featuring input from doctors and other professionals, this book is highly relatable and even entertaining — although that's not surprising, given the authors are viral Youtubers. The Holdernesses break down negative stereotypes to show that ADHD can be empowering.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

If you're looking for an easy novel that's hard to put down, dive into the story of Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus nearing the end of his lifespan as he sits in captivity at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Tova, a 70-year-old aquarium cleaner who works the night shift to take her mind off her painful losses, forms a unique bond with this deceptively intelligent — and compassionate — creature.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

For a family-friendly read (or audiobook listen) this magical fantasy is an award-winning tale of a girl on a mission to see the “Old Man of the Moon” to improve her family’s fortune. Throughout the book, Lin weaves in traditional and inspired Chinese tales to help move the narrative along. Even hard-to-please tweens will be enamored with this profound, enchanting story.

Letters from East of Nowhere by Kennerly Clay

This memoir is by our very own Kennerly Clay, Senior Content Strategist and Writer. She takes us back to her 1960s childhood, which was largely impacted by her hippie father’s free-wheeling, On The Road-style lifestyle and his turbulent alcoholism. Woven between revelations about her family’s past are Kennerly’s father’s handwritten letters, poems, and postcards — poignantly personal details from a father reaching out across distance and time.