My Favorite Contemporary Books I Read This Summer

If you have been with me for a while, you know that I am not much of a contemporary book reader. When I read, I want to sink into a new world with interesting characters in bizarre situations, and I usually only find this in fantasy, science fiction, and dystopia. It used to take me months just to read one contemporary because I never wanted to pick it up again after I put it down. I think this lead to a couple reading slumps over the years.

Well, recently I discovered my love for audiobooks, this changed a little bit for me. I have figured out that I enjoy listening to a contemporary book on audio more than I do reading it physically. This opened up the entire genre for me. I have been able to enjoy so many contemporary books this summer because of this.

Since contemporary is such a popular genre to read during the warm summer months, I thought I would compile a list of the ones I have been loving recently. Maybe you can find your next favorite here.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Before I finally read this book, I saw it everywhere. I am not much for romance, but I am a sucker for peer pressure. So, when I came across this audiobook of this on my library’s digital app, I decided to place a hold on it. Why not? Well, I was able to read it a couple months ago and I was blown away about how much I loved Chloe Brown as a character. This book is a masterclass in characterization. It is some of the best I have read. I cared so much for the two main characters in this book, and I was laughing until the very last page.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

I will say it 100 times, I am not a fan of poetry. I want fullness, plot, and characterization from the material I read and I didn’t think I could get that from poetry. Well, I would like to give a special thanks to Elizabeth Acevedo for proving me wrong. Her words are so beautiful and enticing. I can’t wait to read Clap When You Land!

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

Oh I was so surprised at how much this book hit me straight in the chest. And I can honestly say I have no idea why I connected with this book. I don’t share similarities or experiences with the main character, and yet there was something about this book. The empty college dorm, the cute pottery store in town, the quesadillas in the dorm kitchen. I have no idea, but this book filled and emptied my soul at the same time.

Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen

I mean, this book is about a dancer so how could I not love it. I was so surprised at how much I adored this book. I read it as part of a buddy read, expecting to feel meh, 3 stars, about the book. Of course I left it loving Ever and wanting more about her and Rick.

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

This is another one I have been seeing around book twitter quiet a bit. I was completely enthralled in this book. From the beginning until the very end I was interested in the characters and their stories. Also, the cover is gorgeous, which doesn’t hurt. This book talks about love, bullying, sexuality, and cultural appropriation in such an accessible way. This book is going to be so a fantastic resource for young readers.

For someone who says contemporary is her least favorite genre, I have read a ton of contemporary this summer. And I have actually been enjoying them. These aren’t even all of the ones I enjoyed this summer. You Should See Me in a Crown was another that I adored, and you can see my review for that here.

Comment below any contemporary recommendations you have for me! I would love to explore this genre even more in this final month of the summer. What are some of your favorites?