Even while parts of the US are still expecting snow, it’s never too early to think a bit about summer. One long-standing summer tradition is the summer beach book. You don’t actually have to be laying on a beach to enjoy one (although it sure doesn’t hurt), you just have to be in the mindset for a little escapist reading. I tend to think of these as brain candy books and they are great for a long flight, a day at the beach, or an afternoon watching a spring snowstorm coming down outside your window.

So, here is a very early list of a few books to add to your summer reading list for 2021.  

Out of This World Escapism

You can’t get much more escapist than a good science fiction novel that transports you into outer space. While you can go a lot of different directions when picking a sci-fi novel (hard sci-fi, space opera, sometimes it’s fun to pick something that spans genres.  If you like your science fiction mixed with a good bit of fun, a little magic, and a crew of outcasts then you might want to check out The Salvagers trilogy by Alex White. Start off with A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe for an entertaining romp through interstellar space, some political intrigue, a mix of both magic and technology, and a fun group of characters. Then, if you like the first one, you can pick up the story in the sequel, A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy, and the finale, The Worst of All Possible Worlds. The first book works quite well as a standalone novel, so don’t feel like you are committed if you decide to pick it up. But, don’t be surprised if you get sucked in and want to read all three novels.

Who Loves a Good Supernatural thriller?

Stephen King. Enough said. But, if you want a little more guidance, on which of the many, many King novels you might consider - check out The Outsider. The 2018 novel starts off as more of a mystery, with a puzzle for readers and the characters in the book to piece together. Eventually, it shifts into more standard Stephen King territory, with an interesting supernatural angle and some call-outs to his other stories, through some shared characters. The book was enough of a hit that HBO turned the story into a series in 2020. It’s a great mix of police procedural, whodunit, and a creepy horror story. 

Swords, Dragons, Magic?

There’s nothing like a good story with swords, sorcerers, magic creatures, and of course dragons. But, it’s not easy to bring a new angle to some of these stories. They can still be tons of tun to read, but they don’t typically break a lot of new ground. But, The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter does indeed bring in some interesting elements to a story about warriors, magic wielders, and most definitely dragons. Think of it as a mix of Gladiator and Game of Thrones, with a character who will break out of the strict class system imposed by the society in the book. 

If you Like your Magic a bit more Grounded

Maybe you like stories about magic, but you want them to be a bit more grounded in ‘reality’? Well, the exploding genre of Urban Fantasy has you covered. But, in specific, take a look at The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. It’s a twist on a coming-of-age story, with ancient magical societies at Yale University, an outcast student who is anything but a hero (at least initially), and a magical mystery to solve. This is a standalone novel at the moment, but it’s fair to expect at least one follow-up in the future.