One area that continues to supply hope and optimism in these dire and uncertain times is the steady publication of high-quality books in all genres. At this time of year, I always look forward to compiling and curating a collection of summer book lists from a variety of publications, broadcasting outlets, universities, and elsewhere.
As in previous years, I’ve tried to be as eclectic as possible by including lists aimed at a specific audience or clientele, but which still have broader appeal, such as those from Behavioral Scientist, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, Harvard Business School, J.P. Morgan, Stanford Law School, University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business.
And continuing kudos to the heroic work of Literary Hub managing editor Emily Temple for The Ultimate Summer 2024 Reading List. Her introduction contains an intriguing, and not all that positive observation, which I have noted in italics: “There are noticeably fewer summer reading lists floating around this year. It’s possible some outlets are waiting later to run their summer reading lists, but it may also be a function of the state of online media (crumbling), or the fall of the list (imaginary), or something-something AI (possible, very very possible).”
Congrats to all the authors and publishers included on the various lists, and I hope everyone enjoys their summer of reading!
AARP: Preview: 28 of Summer’s Top Books
Behavioral Scientist: Behavioral Scientist’s Summer Book List 2024
BookBub: Our Ultimate Guide to 2024’s Best Beach Reads
CBS News: The best beach reads of summer 2024 will keep you glued to the page
Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs: SIPA’s Summer Reads 2024
The Economist: Summer Reads
Financial Times: The FT’s guide to the best books to read this summer
Five Books: Notable New Novels of Summer 2024
GatesNotes/The Blog of Bill Gates: 5 great things to read or watch this summer
Harper’s Bazaar: The 24 Best Beach Reads of 2024
Harvard Business School: The Harvard Business School Faculty Summer Reader 2024
J.P. Morgan: Summer Reading List 2024
Kirkus Reviews: 24 Hottest Summer Reads of 2024
Literary Hub: The Ultimate Summer 2024 Reading List
The New York Times: 19 Nonfiction Books to Read This Summer
NPR: 20 new books hitting shelves this summer that our critics can’t wait to read
Oprah Daily: Your Summer Reading List Is Here
PBS New Hour: Our critics pick their favorite new books for your summer reading list
Publishers Weekly: Summer Reads 2024
Stanford Law School: Stanford Law School’s 2024 Summer Faculty Reading List
TIME: 24 New Books You Need to Read This Summer
University of California, Berkeley: Summer Reading List: Defining Moments
University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business: Summer Reading List 2024
The Washington Post: 28 Books to Read This Summer