Summer reading season is here! In this episode of Our Ultimate Summer Book List 2026, we each share three books we think are perfect additions to your summer reading lineup. Whether you're looking for an engaging page-turner, a thought-provoking read, or simply something fun to enjoy by the pool, we've got recommendations for a variety of readers. We also reveal one book each that we're planning to tackle this summer, giving you a glimpse into our own reading goals. Join us for plenty of book talk, recommendations, and inspiration for your best summer reading season yet!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Educated by Tara Westover

Tress of The Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

Last Summer Boys by Bill Rivers

Playful Parenting by Lawrence J Cohen

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel

Harry Potter by JK Rowling

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

The Forget Me Not Summer by Leila Howland

The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson

The Queen's Gambit by Beth Brower

The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion Beth Brower

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jennie Han

It's Not Summer Without You by Jennie Han

We'll Always Have Summer by Jennie Han

The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Adventuring Together by Greta Eskridge

It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn by Greta Eskridge

The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E Frankl

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

The Killing Series by Bill O'Reilly

Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly

The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron

Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky

The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

The Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh

The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh

The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand

The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon

The Astral Library Kate Quinn

In this episode, we set out to prove one thing: we don’t read science fiction. At least… that’s what we thought. Join us as we explore the sci-fi titles that pulled us out of our comfort zones—and maybe even changed our minds. Were these truly “science fiction,” or just great stories with a futuristic twist? Along the way, we share what surprised us, what challenged us, and whether we’re ready to embrace a genre we once avoided.

So… do we read science fiction? You might be surprised by the answer.

Books mentioned in this episode:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Dune by Frank Herbert

Emma M. Lion Series by Beth Brower

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

1984 by George Orwell

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

The 2026 Newbery Medal winners are here, and we have thoughts. In this episode, we each spotlight a different honored title and break down what makes it award-worthy (or not!). From unforgettable characters to powerful themes, we’re sharing our honest reactions, favorite moments, and a few surprises along the way. Come chat books with us!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

The Trouble With Heroes by Kate Messner

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamilo

Little House on The Prarie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes

From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil by E. Frankweiler

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting

Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly

Smokey The Cow Horse by Will James

On The Bank of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri

Refugee by Alan Gratz

Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser

The Vanderbeekers Series by Karina Yan Glaser

All The Blues in The Sky by Renée Watson

A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez by María Dolores Águila

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Heartwood Hotel by Kallie George

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

In this episode, we dive into I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel, a heartfelt celebration of the reading life. Each of us chose a different chapter to explore, sharing personal takeaways and favorite moments along the way. From the joy of getting lost in a good book to the habits and quirks that make readers unique, this conversation highlights why reading matters and how it shapes who we are. Whether you’re an avid reader or just getting back into books, there’s something here for you.

Books mentioned in this episode:

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

A Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Kingdom of Wrenley

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

LIttle House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

East of Eden b John Steinbeck

Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Erasure by Percival Everett

James by Percival Everett

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Allen

Bear Town by Fredrik Backman

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

This week we are talking about banned and challenged books! What that actually means, why certain books get challenged, and whether those concerns feel fair or like an overreaction. Each of us picked a banned or challenged book to break down. We're discussing what it's about, why it was questioned, and where we personally land on it. We also dive into bigger questions about age appropriateness, school vs. parent choice, and whether banning books really protects readers or just limits conversations.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Lord of The Flies by William Golding

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Erasure by Percival Everett

Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Educated by Tara Westover

Ashes by Frank McCourt

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Skippyjon Jones by Judith Byron Schachner

Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel

On this week's episode, we each chose a different title from Jenna Bush Hager's 2025 Book Club list and asked if they were worth the hype? We share star ratings, potential triggers, break down what worked (and what didn't), and help you decide whether these picks deserve a spot on your TBR!

Titles mentioned:

The Names by Florence Snap

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Heartwood by Amity Gaige

Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch

This Is A Love Story by Jessica Soffer

The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill

In this episode, we dive into the captivating worlds created by bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid. From old Hollywood glamour to the drama of 1970s rock bands and the intensity of professional tennis, Reid’s novels bring unforgettable characters and emotional storytelling to life. We discuss some of her most popular books—including The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones & the Six, Malibu Rising, and Carrie Soto Is Back—sharing our favorite moments, characters, and themes along the way. Join us as we explore what makes Taylor Jenkins Reid’s stories so addictive, why readers can’t stop talking about them, and which of her books might be the perfect place to start.Titles mentioned in this episode:

Forever, Interupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Up Next:

Read with Jenna 2025 Picks

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley

Finlay Donavan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

James by Percival Everett

Erasure by Percival Everett

Matlida by Roald Dahl

Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

What's Up Next?

Author Spotlight: Taylor Jenkins Reid