Hope you have some extra space on the bookshelf for beach reads, books that will ensure an optimal summer experience.

There's something about summer reading that soothes the soul. Perhaps its because you know you have two months filled with relaxing days where you will find yourself getting much-needed rest while engrossing yourself in a good read from your summer book list. Whether that's at a fun picnic in the park, some quiet time in the comfort of your bedroom, or under the summer sun for beach reads, books are where your mind is left to run wild while undisturbed.
Granted, it doesn't matter much where you find your preferred reading spot, considering as your eyes dance along the pages, you will end up transported to another world anyway. Even if you weren't able to take that <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/tomato-girl-aesthetic-tik-tok-fashion-trend-summer-shopping" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European summer vacation</a>, pick up a good book from the summer book list, and your mind will convince you that you are in fact eating a croissant as you look upon the Eiffel Tower in the far distance.&nbsp;
The universe is your's to explore, with plenty of beach reads, books, and go-to novels to help feed into our imagination. In honor of National Book Lover's Day, L'OFFICIEL has found the best novels and memoirs to add to your summer book list.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/carolina-herrera-fall-winter-2022-wes-gordon-elizaveta-porodina" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wes Gordon and Elizaveta Porodina</a> come through in introducing your new go-to <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/fashion-coffee-table-books-chanel-dior" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fashion coffee table book</a> to add to the summer book list. A photography book that chronicles the partnership between Porodina and Gordon, Colormania: Color and Fashion perfectly captures the modern feminity that is ever present in the fashion house Carolina Herrera, depicted in an ethereal fashion.
Colormania: Color and Fashion by Elizaveta Porodina and Wes Gordon, $85, <a href="https://www.rizzoliusa.com/book/9780847873715/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rizzoli</a>

Colormania: Color and Fashion by Elizaveta Porodina and Wes Gordon

Two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/black-panther-costume-designer-ruth-carter-afrofuturism-scad-museum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ruth E. Carter</a> shares her story as she recounts her climb to success. She reminisces on her long-found love for history, dressing A-listers such as Angela Bassett, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/chadwick-boseman-most-iconic-roles-black-panther-actor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chadwick Boseman</a>, and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/halle-berry-biggest-disappointment-after-winning-oscar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Halle Berry</a>, and gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse of working on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The Art of Ruth E. Carter: Costuming Black History and the Afrofuture, from Do the Right Thing to Black Panther, $37, <a href="https://fave.co/42I46Aj" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bookshop</a>

The Art of Ruth E. Carter: Costuming Black History and the Afrofuture, from Do the Right Thing to Black Panther

If you prefer to unwind with an intense romance for beach reads, books such as The Lover will quickly become your favorite novel. The story brings readers on a heart-gripping, passionate, and provocative love journey between a Canadian academic and an Israeli soldier. Captivating and honest, author Rebecca Sacks dives into the themes of betrayal, conflict, and hope. You won't want to put the book down.
The Lover, $27, <a href="https://fave.co/3NzPsqw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bookshop</a>

The Lover

This novel checks off all the boxes to be included on an It summer book list: An expos&eacute;. Drama-filled. Exposed secrets. Glossy tells the inner workings of one of beauty's biggest brands, Glossier, and how founder Emily Weiss made a billion-dollar empire. Through interviews with past employees, investors, and Weiss herself, it's a gripping chronicle about success, vision, and ambition &mdash; a recommended read for those who love books such as The Devil Wears Prada.
Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Emily Weiss's Glossier, $27, <a href="https://fave.co/46698tc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bookshop</a>

Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Emily Weiss's Glossier

Consider it con-artist summer. Following the story of a con woman who poses as an elite member of Long Island society and must grift about after taking a misstep, The Guest is a hypnotizing tale that will have you opting for an undisturbed reading session over a visit to the beach.
The Guest, $25, <a href="https://fave.co/448yLYJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barnes &amp; Noble</a>

The Guest

Pageboy: A Memoir is an intimate following of actor <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/elliot-page-transgender-coming-out-umbrella-academy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elliot Page</a>, who rose to stardom for his leading role in the 2007 film Juno, but has since made headlines for his transparent journey navigating life as a transman. This memoir is more than a life story, it's a tale about identity, criticism, acceptance, and love &mdash; undoubtedly one of the biggest books to be added on the summer book list.
Pageboy: A Memoir, $26, <a href="https://fave.co/42BCAEl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barnes &amp; Noble</a>

Pageboy: A Memoir

Aurora James, fashion designer and founder of The Fifteen Percent Pledge, chronicles her journey to how she got where she is today. From childhood struggles to racist run-ins to harsh lessons about power and control, James would overcome it all to become one of fashion's biggest stars. A true visionary and activist, James has changed the fashion landscape with The Fifteen Percent Pledge, an organization that advocates for the inclusion of BIPOC brands in retail spaces.&nbsp;
Wildflower: A Memoir, $25, <a href="https://fave.co/43FqHPc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barnes &amp; Noble</a>

Wildflower: A Memoir

The Mythmakers, penned by Keziah Weir, follows a young journalist named Sal who is fired from her job, loses her relationship, and hits rock bottom as life crumbles underneath her. Needing to pick herself back up, Sal comes across an excerpt from an unpublished novel written by a late author she met years ago and goes on a quest full of unexpected twists and revealed secrets in an effort to find the manuscript.
The Mythmakers, $26, <a href="https://fave.co/43E3ixG" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bookshop</a>

The Mythmakers

This engaging memoir is intimate, comedic, feel-good, and earnest all in one. A sequel to <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/brat-pack-photos-young-80s-films-hollywood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Andrew McCarthy</a>'s novel Brat: An '80s Story, the book follows McCarthy's travel adventure as he set across the Camino de Santiago with his son Sam. It's a heartwarming book about family and fatherhood that is sure to fill the days throughout the summer.&nbsp;
Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain, $25, <a href="https://fave.co/3PgojKi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barnes &amp; Noble</a>

Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain

Written by Ore Agbaje-Williams, there's no book on the summer book list that will have you reading for hours more than a messy drama. Told in three parts &mdash; one for each character &mdash; The Three of Us is a tension-filled rollercoaster between a wife, a husband, and a best friend who must find the lines between love, compromise, loyalty, and betrayal.&nbsp;
The Three of Us, $24, <a href="https://fave.co/3NvvI7p" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bookshop</a>

The Three of Us

Who doesn't love a story about feminism and social justice? Small-town Christian wife turned queer feminist gives deep and personal insight into her transformation and the importance of challenging oppressive systems to create a world where authenticity isn't hindered. For those who prefer thought-provoking beach reads, books like this one covers all the bases and more.
A Renaissance of Our Own: A Memoir &amp; Manifesto on Reimagining, $27, <a href="https://fave.co/462DdtH" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bookshop</a>

A Renaissance of Our Own: A Memoir & Manifesto on Reimagining

Written by Lauren Lieberman, Down To You is the summer love story that will sure to become your go-to novel on the summer book list. Following the complicated romance between Lila and Lucas (her brother's best friend), it's a sweet, sexy, and messy coming-of-age story about first loves and following your heart.
Down To You, $13, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Down-You-Lauren-Lieberman/dp/B0C47LV1ZW/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon</a>

Down To You

Comedian, fashion icon, and now renowned author <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/ziwe-fumudoh-best-style-moments-fashion-comedian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ziwe</a> comes through with one of the most highly-anticipated books we can't wait to get our hands on. In the form of a collection of personal essays, Ziwe speaks on her personal stories merged with pop culture commentary, resulting in intimate conversations through a comedic voice.&nbsp;
Black Friends: Essays, $26, <a href="https://fave.co/3oWTkbD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barnes &amp; Noble</a>

13 Books Worth Adding to Your Summer Book List

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