Summer remains one of the best times of the year to get back into reading or to discover stories that deserve a spot in your beach bag. With more time to unwind and step away from daily routines, many readers look for novels that can keep them engaged for days, especially those that have sparked conversation beyond the literary world and made their way to the screen.
The three books featured in this month’s reading list share exactly that appeal. Not only are they excellent choices for summer reading, but they are also connected, in one way or another, to the growing interest the film and television industry has shown in stories that began on the page.
Shelby Van Pelt made her fiction debut with Remarkably Bright Creatures, a novel that blends family mystery, human relationships, and an unusual perspective on animal intelligence. The story follows Tova Sullivan, a widow who works the night shift at an aquarium in Washington State and, while trying to move forward after several personal losses, develops an unexpected bond with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus.
The novel became a publishing sensation after its release in 2022 and was later adapted for the screen in a Netflix film directed by Olivia Newman and starring Sally Field, released in 2026.
Who’d like this?
Remarkably Bright Creatures is especially recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven novels with emotional depth and a mystery that unfolds gradually over time.
Quotes
“Why can humans not use their millions of words to simply tell one another what they desire?”
“Humans. For the most part, you are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures.”
Readers say
“This is one of those rare books that is heartfelt, funny, emotional, and completely unique all at the same time,” says an Amazon user.
“I have to say, this was one of the better books I’ve read so far this year,” says an Amazon user.
Project Hail Mary further established Andy Weir as one of the leading voices in contemporary science fiction following the success of The Martian.
Published in 2021, the novel opens with science teacher Ryland Grace waking up alone aboard a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he is there. As his memories return, he discovers that he is part of a critical mission to prevent a catastrophe that threatens life on Earth.
Weir builds the story around scientific problem-solving, high-stakes decisions, and a protagonist who must constantly adapt in order to survive. The film adaptation, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and starring Ryan Gosling, arrived in theaters in 2026, bringing one of the most talked-about science fiction novels of recent years to a wider audience.
Who’d like this?
Project Hail Mary is an ideal read for anyone looking for accessible science fiction with a fast pace and a strong scientific foundation. Readers who enjoy solving mysteries alongside the protagonist will find it hard to put down once they begin.
Quotes
“We’re as smart as evolution made us. So we’re the minimum intelligence needed to ensure we can dominate our planets.”
“When stupid ideas work, they become genius ideas.”
Readers say
“The amount of detail in this book is so interesting and the specifics of so much theoretical ideas revolving around true ideas makes it so fun to read,” says an Amazon user.
“This book is one of those times where the hype is well deserved,” says an Amazon user.
One Golden Summer marks Carley Fortune’s return to Barry’s Bay, the setting that made Every Summer After such a success. This time, the author focuses on Alice Everly, a photographer who returns to the lake where she spent one of the most significant summers of her youth and reconnects with Charlie Florek, a fan-favorite character from Fortune’s earlier novel.
Fortune crafts a mature romance centered on characters carrying unresolved decisions and an undeniable connection from the very first pages. While the novel has not yet received its own adaptation, Charlie is already part of the world of Every Year After (Prime Video), the series based on Every Summer After, and the show’s creators have expressed interest in exploring the storyline of One Golden Summer in future seasons.
Who’d like this?
One Golden Summer is a perfect choice for readers who enjoy contemporary romance, summer settings, second chances, and characters who grow beyond the familiar conventions of the genre.
Quotes
“That’s why you should grab onto whatever makes you happy now and hold on for as long as you can. Life’s short.”
“I’m lucky to have so much past, so many memories. It’s a gift to age.”
Readers say
“This novel masterfully balances heartbreak and hope,” says an Amazon user.
“A great choice for readers looking for a nostalgic, character-driven summer romance,” says an Amazon user.
Novels for summer: Global Comment’s Book Club, June 2026
Edgary Rodríguez R.Summer remains one of the best times of the year to get back into reading or to discover stories that deserve a spot in your beach bag. With more time to unwind and step away from daily routines, many readers look for novels that can keep them engaged for days, especially those that have sparked conversation beyond the literary world and made their way to the screen.
The three books featured in this month’s reading list share exactly that appeal. Not only are they excellent choices for summer reading, but they are also connected, in one way or another, to the growing interest the film and television industry has shown in stories that began on the page.
Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shelby Van Pelt
Published: 2022
Pages: 384
Shelby Van Pelt made her fiction debut with Remarkably Bright Creatures, a novel that blends family mystery, human relationships, and an unusual perspective on animal intelligence. The story follows Tova Sullivan, a widow who works the night shift at an aquarium in Washington State and, while trying to move forward after several personal losses, develops an unexpected bond with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus.
The novel became a publishing sensation after its release in 2022 and was later adapted for the screen in a Netflix film directed by Olivia Newman and starring Sally Field, released in 2026.
Who’d like this?
Remarkably Bright Creatures is especially recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven novels with emotional depth and a mystery that unfolds gradually over time.
Quotes
Readers say
Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir
Published: 2021
Pages: 496
Project Hail Mary further established Andy Weir as one of the leading voices in contemporary science fiction following the success of The Martian.
Published in 2021, the novel opens with science teacher Ryland Grace waking up alone aboard a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he is there. As his memories return, he discovers that he is part of a critical mission to prevent a catastrophe that threatens life on Earth.
Weir builds the story around scientific problem-solving, high-stakes decisions, and a protagonist who must constantly adapt in order to survive. The film adaptation, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and starring Ryan Gosling, arrived in theaters in 2026, bringing one of the most talked-about science fiction novels of recent years to a wider audience.
Who’d like this?
Project Hail Mary is an ideal read for anyone looking for accessible science fiction with a fast pace and a strong scientific foundation. Readers who enjoy solving mysteries alongside the protagonist will find it hard to put down once they begin.
Quotes
Readers say
One Golden Summer, Carley Fortune
Published: 2025
Pages: 400
One Golden Summer marks Carley Fortune’s return to Barry’s Bay, the setting that made Every Summer After such a success. This time, the author focuses on Alice Everly, a photographer who returns to the lake where she spent one of the most significant summers of her youth and reconnects with Charlie Florek, a fan-favorite character from Fortune’s earlier novel.
Fortune crafts a mature romance centered on characters carrying unresolved decisions and an undeniable connection from the very first pages. While the novel has not yet received its own adaptation, Charlie is already part of the world of Every Year After (Prime Video), the series based on Every Summer After, and the show’s creators have expressed interest in exploring the storyline of One Golden Summer in future seasons.
Who’d like this?
One Golden Summer is a perfect choice for readers who enjoy contemporary romance, summer settings, second chances, and characters who grow beyond the familiar conventions of the genre.
Quotes
Readers say
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