For many college students, reading is a foreign hobby. It’s either viewed as a luxury reserved for adults with extra time or a dreaded task required for classes. Despite this common view, the summer provides the perfect opportunity for students to shut down their computers and relax with their next read. Summer should be so relaxing that the most difficult task is choosing what to read next.
To help students disconnect from their screens, the Daily Cardinal staff compiled a list of their favorite summer reads to purchase from the nearest bookstore or check out from your local library.
“Call Me By Your Name” by André Aciman
If you’ve ever seen the film, you know the gorgeous landscapes and cinematography completely awe the viewer. And the reading experience is no different. As the narrator, 17-year-old Elio documents his thoughts and whirlwind emotions as he falls in love with his father’s 24-year-old student, Oliver, who is visiting their home in Italy for the summer (and who also shares the same feelings). Elio’s vulnerability, shown through his thoughts, is so intimate and almost intrusive that it displays the rawness of his inappropriate and secretive relationship with Oliver. I remember reading this for the first time a few summers back, taking in both the description of those gorgeous landscapes and Elio’s innermost feelings. You feel so encompassed by nature in the story that you become the story. It will be one of the most visceral — and thus one of the best — books you’ll ever read.
— Audrey Lopez-Stane, State News Editor
“East of Eden” by John Steinbeck
“East of Eden” is a literary and historical fiction book centered around two families, the Hamiltons (poor but content) and the Trasks (rich but troubled). The book is set in Salinas Valley, California in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The story reflects the biblical tale of Cain and Abel through Adam Trask’s twin sons, Caleb and Aaron. There are many interesting themes throughout the novel, such as a biblical struggle between good and evil and the weight of inheriting your parents’ flaws. While this is a heavy book, I found the character development and multiple themes very interesting. Steinbeck’s descriptions of setting and the emotions of the characters are also really well done. Fun fact: I bought my copy of “East of Eden” at Leopold's Books Bar Caffe on Regent Street!
— Grace Carlson, College News Editor
“One Golden Summer” by Carley Fortune
A Carley Fortune summer read truly always hits the mark. Based in a picturesque Canadian cottage town, “One Golden Summer” follows the slow-burn relationship between vacationer Alice and local bombshell Charlie. After over a decade, Alice returns to the cottage in Barry’s Bay, hoping for a break from city life and her all-consuming job. Readers will fly through this read and become entranced by the idyllic descriptions of nature and chemistry you can feel through the page. While the banter had me kicking my feet, the raw emotion made me connect with these characters through to the end. Although a summer read in the summer seems basic, this is a can’t-miss novel perfect to take in under the sun.
— Liset Zacker, Arts Editor
“Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt
“Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt is a beautiful novel about a grandmother who never stopped loving and her friendship with an octopus, Marcellus. Despite an on-screen adaptation released on May 8, the book itself weaves the genres of mystery and literary fiction together in a way that readers will remember it for a while.
This novel was absolutely joyful to read. While Van Pelt’s writing is addictive, the characters are truly what make the book what it is. You don’t expect a grandmother and an octopus to find friendship, but reading the connection between them spurs you to spend every moment with them.
— Zoey Jiang, Associate News Editor
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
If there’s one book to throw in your backpack before coming to Madison, make it “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel follows the flashy and secretive life of Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo as she reflects on love, ambition and the choices that shape who we become. Equal parts old Hollywood drama and emotional gut punch, the novel explores identity, reinvention and finding yourself. Both glamorous and devastating, it’s a perfect summer read — fast-paced enough to fly through by the lake, but layered enough to leave you thinking about it long after the final page.
— Alaina Walsh, Editor-in-Chief
“The Water Seeker” by Kimberly Willis Holt
Some of Madison’s most enticing features are its lakes, and, like Madison’s Isthmus is nestled between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, nestled between two trees is the only proper way to dive into Kimberly Willis Holt’s “The Water Seeker.” The novel follows Amos Kincaid’s journey shaped by loss, relationships and the Oregon Trail’s long pull west. The fight between the known and the unknown will take you westward with the Kincaids, making it impossible to step away from Willis Holt’s story from the American frontier to the Willamette Valley. With more depth, adventure and detail thought possible in roughly 300 pages, “The Water Seeker” is the perfect coming-of-age story to complement a summer spent lakeside in Madison.
— Avery Chheda, Managing Editor
“What You Are Looking For Is in the Library” by Michiko Aoyama
Though not perfectly set in the summer, this is a perfect summer read for anyone who seeks an appreciation of life. The book itself is simplistic, with a touch of nostalgia on each page, as each character receives a book from the librarian around a problem they’re going through. The story focuses on 5 interconnected characters. A love story to libraries, librarians and readers, this novel is so beautifully written, teaching you small life lessons and reminding you to look at problems from a new perspective. By the way, this book might make you get into creating felt objects!
— Ryan Kim, Arts Editor
Alaina Walsh is the editor-in-chief for The Daily Cardinal. She formally served as the associates news editor and as the city news editor. She has covered breaking news on city crimes, a variety of state and campus issues, the 2024 presidential election and the UW-Madison budget. You can follow her on twitter at @alaina_wal4347
Audrey Lopez-Stane is the state news editor for The Daily Cardinal. She has written in-depth on free speech on campus, higher education and elections including the Wisconsin Supreme Court race and upcoming governor primary. Audrey is currently an intern with WisPolitics and will spend the summer working for Wisconsin Watch. Follow her on X @AudreyLopez2028.
Grace Carlson is the college news editor for The Daily Cardinal. As a staff writer, she's written in-depth on city Wisconsin politics, including the 2025 and 2026 State Supreme Court elections, as well as focusing on community coverage. Grace is interning at WisPolitics this summer.
