Summer has arrived, bringing longer days, warm sunshine and plenty of opportunities to relax with a good book. Whether you’re headed to Siesta Beach, lounging by the pool or escaping to a shady porch, there’s no better time to dive into a great read.
We asked several avid readers from the Siesta Key community to share the books topping their summer reading lists. Their recommendations span everything from page-turning thrillers and beach romances to historical fiction, biographies and mysteries.
Perhaps you’ll discover your next favorite book.
Sarah Firstenberger
CEO, Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce
“Funny Story,” by Emily Henry — “Emily Henry writes the best beach reads, so Funny Story tops my list.” (A witty romance about a fake relationship that becomes something real.)
“Theo of Golden,” by Allen Levi — (A mysterious stranger changes lives through simple acts of kindness in a small Southern town.)
“Imperfect Women,” by Araminta Hall — “What would summer reading be without at least one thriller?”
“The Book Club for Troublesome Women,” by Marie Bostwick — “A character-driven story about women navigating life and friendship.”
Catherine Luckner
President, Siesta Key Association
“The Reckoning,” by John Grisham — “Grisham always writes a good book.”
“Caught,” by Harlan Coben — “It’s about a school in a small town where an adult is falsely accused. It touches on issues we’re seeing today.”
“Confronting the Presidents,” by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard — “From Washington to Biden, it gave me a broader perspective on who these people were and the times they lived in. It’s well researched and fascinating.”
Natalie Gutwein
Board member, Siesta Key Beautification Alliance
“Greenlights,” by Matthew McConaughey — “He narrates the audiobook himself, which makes it even better. It’s a mix of great storytelling, life lessons and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy listening to Matthew McConaughey?”
“The Science of Momentum,” by Don Yaeger, Bernie Banks and Karen Cyphers — “It’s packed with great insights on staying in flow and building on the momentum you’ve already created.”
“Outlive,” by Peter Attia and Bill Gifford, and “How Not to Die,” by Michael Greger — “Both explore fascinating research on what we should—and shouldn’t—be doing to improve our health and live longer.”
Shane Rawley
Owner, Shaner’s Pizza and author
Rawley recommends several favorite crime writers and series:
The Parker novels by Richard Stark, the pen name of Donald E. Westlake. “He’s a criminal who doesn’t always succeed—a bad guy you can’t help but like.”
The Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly.
The Los Angeles detective novels by Robert Crais.
The novels of Greg Iles, especially “Spandau Phoenix.”
The works of Elmore Leonard, John D. MacDonald—who lived on Siesta Key—and the Travis McGee series.
Dixi Robertson
Owner, Boca Boutique, Gulf Gate
“This Book Made Me Think of You,” by Libby Page — “Twelve stories. Twelve months. One chance to heal a broken heart.”
“The Women,” by Kristin Hannah — “Incredibly moving and beautifully written. It’s a powerful story that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.”
“The Hotel Nantucket,” by Elin Hilderbrand — “A fun, light read with the perfect coastal setting.”
Sarasota County Libraries Staff Picks
Library staff also shared several recommended summer reads:
“The Briar Club,” by Kate Quinn — A group of women living in a Washington, D.C., boardinghouse in the 1950s find their lives intertwined by a mysterious widow with a dangerous secret.
“The Viper,” by Brad Meltzer — A fast-paced thriller involving family secrets, murder and a hidden fortune.
“The Brothers McKay,” by Craig Johnson — The latest Walt Longmire mystery follows the Wyoming sheriff as he investigates a rancher’s murder amid wildfire and revenge.
“A Deadly Episode,” by Anthony Horowitz — Detective Hawthorne investigates the on-set stabbing of the actor portraying him in a film adaptation.
“Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures,” by Robert K. Wittman — Part memoir and part true-crime adventure, the book chronicles the former FBI agent’s efforts to recover priceless works of art.
The Author’s Pick
No summer reading list would be complete without a baseball book.
For readers who enjoy America’s pastime, “The Cactus League,” by Emily Nemens, offers an engaging look at one spring training season in Arizona. Rather than focusing solely on the players, the novel explores the lives of agents, spouses, owners, sportswriters and others whose lives revolve around the game.
Poignant, humorous and deeply human, it’s as much about life as it is about baseball.
