We just celebrated the Autumn Equinox this past Tuesday . . . so you know what that means, don’t you? Yes! It’s time for me to choose the Top Five Books that I read over the summer months.
I do need to preface my list with a bit of a caveat, though. Because I read a rather strange collection of books over the summer. I read more advance reader copies of books from NetGalley than I usually do. And I read a lot of poetry. And I read several memoirs – and, specifically, I read memoirs from writers about writing. And I spent a lot of time reading books I’ve already read . . . including one book that I read twice. In a row! So my summer list is . . . a bit odd this time around. But you know what we’ve been saying in the Lounge all summer . . . No rules. Just fun.
So here goes . . . the books I read during the summer months . . . that I liked best. Or that I felt worthy of mention. (Note: the book title links will take you to the publisher’s sites, not Amazon or Goodreads.)
First up, we’ve got the book I loved so much I read it twice in a row! (As in . . . I finished the book. And then I turned right back to the beginning and read it again.) Whistler by Ann Patchett. I have long been a fan of Ann Patchett’s writing (in fact, in my wildest daydreams, she is my neighbor and good friend; we play mahjong together and enjoy glasses of wine on each others’ patios . . . and talk about books). I have read – and loved all of her books (some more than others), and I loved reading Whistler, her newest.
What did I like about it, and why do I recommend it all the time? Well, Ann Patchett has always been a master at family and relationship dynamics, and Whistler is no exception. The characters here are beautifully crafted, and their relationships with each other are natural and believable. In Whistler, Ann Patchett creates a wonderful sense of time and place. And magic. And caring. And kindness. Well worth the read!
And while I’m going all fan-girl over Ann Patchett here, I’ve got another Ann-Patchett-re-read for you! I read The Dutch House, Patchett’s 2019 blockbuster of a novel, again this summer. I know many of you have already read this one, but I would posit that . . . it’s well worth a re-read! And if you haven’t read it yet? Well then. As Ann Patchett says . . . “if you haven’t read it, it’s new to you!”
What did I like about it, and why am I still recommending this? Well, The Dutch House is a great story beautifully told. It’s about childhood memories and unbreakable sibling bonds, the strength of family and the ties of place and home. It’s about jealousy and grudges and the price of devotion. It is simply marvelous . . . every time you read it. (I really do wish Ann Patchett lived next door.)
Then, I’ve got one of those memoirs-by-a-writer-writing-about-writing that I mentioned earlier . . . Unsayable: A Life in Writing by Michael Cunningham. Now this one is going to be a harder sell than a Patchett novel (which are pretty . . . universal . . . in the great scheme of things) because potential readers need to enjoy memoir as a genre, appreciate Michael Cunningham as a writer, and be slightly fascinated in writing as a topic to enjoy this one. So. If you happen to fall into that kind of sweet spot, this might be your book.
And, yes. I am that kind of nerd-reader. What I liked about this one? As always, Cunningham’s writing is crisp and fresh, and a joy to read. I very much appreciated the fascinating exploration of, and the author’s back-and-forth wrestling with, the issue of “writing truth” in memoir. It was fun to read what goes on beneath the surface of Michael Cunningham’s writing process. Unsayable is a lovely companion piece to his novels (The Hours and Day, among others), and offers fans a greater insight to his work.
Okay. Moving along, I’ve got another not-for-every-reader (and maybe not even for me) book, Switzy by Emma Cline. I hesitate to include this one in my Top Five list, because I’m really not recommending it at all. It’s a challenging book. And not a happy one. But it is interesting. And very well done; unique, actually. And I keep thinking about it, so here it is . . . one of my Top Five books.
So. What is Switzy, anyway? Well, it provides an unexpected and rather unsettling peek into the mind of David Hastings, a man with Alzheimer’s who is approaching the end of his life journey. In my opinion, this book is best experienced by readers who understand what they’re getting themselves into before beginning to read. For those in the proper “headspace,” Switzy is a masterpiece. (And for those who are not? Perhaps a little too . . . jarringly real.) It’s good in a you-can’t-look-away sense. But it’s also, well . . . not fun. Still, it’s very good. (Your mileage may vary.) (Don’t say I didn’t warn you.)
And last, I’ve got Cloud Runner: Poems, a new poetry collection by three-time US Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo. I had the great fortune of reading this one in ARC form (it will be published on October 13, so you’ll be able to get a copy soon), and I’m very happy to recommend it for those of you who enjoy poetry. Joy Harjo’s poetry always reaches deep and takes hold in my heart, but this new collection, inspired by Harjo’s response to the death of her beloved daughter, Rainy Dawn Ortiz, is especially powerful. Raw, emotional, and incredibly moving, each of Harjo’s poems here is highly personal, yet universally touching. As the book blurb states, “it is a testament to poetry’s power to speak what is unspeakable, to touch what the mind cannot carry.” I loved this short, powerful collection, and look forward to purchasing a copy for my personal poetry library after its publication.
(You can always find my more detailed, full reviews here on Goodreads.)
And . . . a little PS. I also re-read John of John this summer, and it actually deserves top-billing here on my Top Five list. But since I’ve already included it on an earlier Top Five list, I’m only just giving it another mention here.
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And . . . there you have it! My Top Five Books from Summer 2026. (And if you want to see my other Top Five lists – going back to 2019(!) – you can click here.)
How about you? What were some of your favorites over the summer?
Great books, Kym! Whistler made my Best of Summer list as well! I’d add in Transcription, John of John, and The Bluest Eye.
Was somebow distracted by life when Whistler came out hence still on the waiting list. Everything you said about it could also have been said about Tom Lake – which I requested early at my library before the crowd piled in – thanks to you, Kym! Reading “Run” in the meantime. Not one of her well-known ones, hence still on the shelf. An unusual and very original jumping off point – will wait and see. Saw the beginning of an interview with her on YouTube. Yes, what a great neighbor she would be! Totally loved Stephen King ‘s “On Writing”. Is he one of your favorites? P. S. Since I used the slang “Totally” so easily it called to mind “Larb”, explained to me by a friend with a 15-year-old nephew. At least Totally is a real word!
I remember being kind of ‘meh’ about The Dutch House when I first read it (and Commonwealth too) but maybe I’ll give it another go. My favorite is and will always be State of Wonder which I know can be a very divisive book!
Whistler and Switzy were both terrific, in quite different ways. John of John was my favorite Douglas Stuart novel and one of my favorites this summer, along with The Amateur. I need to get a copy of Cloud Runner; it sounds painfully exquisite. It was a good summer for reading and fall is also shaping up to be pretty good so far!
I’m in the minority on Switzy. It felt gimmicky to me, but I think that is more related to my professional background and has little to do with the quality of the writing. I admired the writing, but was mildly annoyed by the reading experience.
I loved and adored Whistler! Some of my other summer favorites were Land, The Things We Never Say, Villa Coco, and a re-read of In This House of Brede.
Here’s to some great autumn reading!
Just talked to the aunt of that 15-year-old. It’s “Larping” not “Larb”. Larb is something to do with Laotion and Thai cooking. Just found that out, too. Guess I should stick to what I know.
Whistler was my favorite read. I loved it.
I love your book reviews–I also immediately re-read (part of) Whistler when I finished it. I wasn’t as taken by The Dutch House, however Tom Lake was is waaaay waaaay up there in my Ann Patchett fandom, and considering where it is set maybe she is sometimes your neighbor and will come by for wine and book chat??? I have to admit I think of her the same way. My “to read” list is ssooo long since I started listening to her New to You recommendations , they’re so chatty and down to earth. Maybe that’s why she seems like a friend. is that what they call a truly parasocial relationship 😉 . I also loved her book of essays These Precious Days.
I agree with you about Whistler and Ann Patchett — I’d love to have her as a neighbor! I read The Dutch House on audio the first time (because Tom Hanks!), but it’s been years and it’s probably time for a reread. I also really appreciate your thoughts on Switzy. I’ve had it on hold at the library and just suspended my hold for the second time because I got the new Kate Atkinson earlier in the day, and I was debating just removing it altogether, but I think it’s going to stay on my hold list. I’m sure it’ll be a challenging read for many reasons, not least because my father-in-law is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, but it sounds worth it.
My favorites from the summer include some ARCs: Whistler, Said the Dead, The Great Wherever, Under Story, Mothersick.
I like Ann Patchett’s books, but they are not my favorites. Whistler, The Dutch House and Tom Lake were all good, but not my top picks at any time. I love Land and I also really enjoyed The Artist and the Feast.
When I look at my summer reading list, three books stand out. Whistler was my absolute favorite. I enjoyed “The Book of Kells” poetry by B. Crooker as well as “A Line in the World: A Year on the North Sea Coast.” The rest of my reads were rather average. “Murder in the Spirit Lounge” was entertaining.
Wonderful recommendations, as always. I completely agree about Whistler AND The Dutch House and I also wish Ann Patchett was my neighbor. Would that mean you and I were neighbors, too? What a dream. I think your take on Switzy is just right. Hard to read but really well done. One of the best books I read this summer was one that is unlike anything I generally read: Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson.