There’s something about summer that makes reading feel even more magical. Maybe it’s the slower mornings with a coffee in hand, sunlight streaming through the window, or those warm evenings where a story keeps you company well past bedtime. This summer, I’ve been soaking up every page I can, and I thought I’d share the Summer Book Club Picks I’ve been loving most. These five have kept me company at night, on the train, on holidays and during those lazy weekend afternoons when time seems to stand still.

1. Before the Coffee Gets Cold – Toshikazu Kawaguchi

This was one of those books that I picked up out of curiosity and ended up completely falling for. The story is set in a small Tokyo café where customers can travel back in time, but there’s a rule, you must return before your coffee gets cold.

It’s tender, slightly bittersweet, and full of moments that make you pause. I found myself wondering what I would do if I could visit the past, and whether I’d have the courage to face whatever came from it. For a summer book club, this one is perfect. It sparks so many conversations about the choices we make, the regrets we carry, and how we can learn to be present in our own lives.

2. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop – Satoshi Yagisawa

This book cover sold me the moment I saw it in a bookstore. If you’re anything like me, sometimes the cover is what draws you in first and luckily, the story inside didn’t disappoint.

If you’ve ever dreamt of hiding away in a cosy bookshop for a while, this one will speak to your heart. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop follows Takako, who moves into her uncle’s second-hand bookshop in Tokyo after her life takes an unexpected turn. Surrounded by towers of books and the comforting scent of old paper, she starts to find herself again.

What I love is that it actually comes in two parts: the first book telling Takako’s story, and the second focusing on her uncle’s life. Both are equally tender and give you different perspectives on love, loss, and the healing power of books.

The slower pace, the gentle characters, and the small joys made it one of my favourite reads of the season. 

3. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

I’ve been re-reading The Alchemist this summer as my classic seasonal read, and it’s been just as inspiring the second (and third) time around. This timeless story follows Santiago, a shepherd boy searching for treasure, who instead discovers the magic of following his dreams and trusting his heart.

Every time I read it, I take away something new. It’s one of those rare books that shifts in meaning depending on where you are in life. Reading it in the warmer months feels especially right, maybe because summer naturally makes me more reflective and open to new possibilities.

4. Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt

This book took me completely by surprise. Part of it is narrated by an octopus and somehow, it works beautifully. Remarkably Bright Creatures follows Tova, a woman working in an aquarium who forms an unlikely bond with a clever, observant octopus. Through this friendship, long-buried secrets start to surface.

It’s uplifting, tender, and just quirky enough to make you smile in the middle of a chapter. I loved the mix of gentle humour and emotional depth. For a summer evening read or to enjoy while relaxing at a beach club on holiday, it’s absolutely perfect.

5. The Summer Book – Tove Jansson

This might be the most peaceful book I’ve read in a long time. Set on a tiny Finnish island, The Summer Book follows a grandmother and her granddaughter as they spend the season exploring, talking, and enjoying the rhythms of island life.

It’s slow in the best possible way, the kind of book that makes you breathe a little deeper. I read it outside one sunny morning with a cup of tea, and it felt like I’d been transported straight to that island. It’s a reminder to enjoy the quiet, simple moments. If your club is looking for something reflective and poetic, this is the one.

This summer’s reads have been a mix of magic, tenderness, and thoughtfulness. They’ve taken me from the streets of Tokyo to quiet islands and even into the mind of an octopus. Each one has stayed with me in its own way, and I think that’s the mark of a great book.

If you’re putting together your own Summer Book Club Picks, please share them with us in the comments section, we’d love to hear your favourites and share them with our community.