You’ve read the lists, you’ve scanned the shelves, you’ve stalked bookstagram, but you’re still not sure which book to slip in your pool bag or pack in your carry-on this summer.
We took our inspo from magazine quizzes of the 90's and tailored these 9 questions to help you find your truest summer love (in book form). We hope you enjoy!
1. Your perfect summer day looks like:
A) A seaside picnic with your crush.
B) Exploring a new coffee shop and people-watching.
C) Visiting a local historical site or museum.
D) Playing detective with a good true crime podcast.
E) Camping in the woods under a sky full of stars.
F) Taking a solo retreat with a journal and a stack of thought-provoking books.
2. Choose a summer movie:
A) The Notebook
B) Lady Bird
C) Little Women
D) Knives Out
E) The Lord of the Rings
F) March of the Penguins
3. Your favorite kind of book ending:
A) The couple finally gets together!
B) Bittersweet but satisfying
C ) A powerful legacy or family truth revealed
D) The shocking twist no one saw coming
E) The hero saves the realm—barely
F) A new perspective that makes you think for days
4. What type of main character do you root for?
A) The hopeless romantic with a big heart
B) The witty, relatable underdog
C) The brave soul caught in a bygone era
D) The skeptical sleuth with a past
E) The chosen one with a mysterious destiny
F) The real person who changed the world
5. Which of these settings sounds most appealing?
A) A seaside town full of love stories
B) A bustling modern city with hidden charm
C) A manor house in the 1800s
D) A sleepy town with secrets
E) An enchanted forest or ancient kingdom
F) Anywhere real people made history
6. If you had a summer job, it would be:
A) Running a beachside flower shop
B) Working at a quirky indie bookstore
C) Giving historical walking tours
D) Interning with a private investigator
E) Teaching magic at a wizarding camp
F) Archiving rare documents at a museum
7. Your ideal book cover features:
A) A couple holding hands under fireworks
B) A trendy font and minimal art
C) Vintage silhouettes or old letters
D) A single clue like a key or a knife
E) A sword, castle, or mythical creature
F) A black-and-white photo or clean graphic
8. A book has to have ___ to keep you reading:
A) Emotional tension and romantic stakes
B) Realistic characters and smart dialogue
C) Rich historical detail
D) Suspense and mind games
E) Magic, worldbuilding, and adventure
F ) Facts, insights, and personal growth
9. Your summer reading goal is to:
A) Fall in love (on paper, at least)
B) Connect with stories that feel real
C) Learn about another time and place
D) Stay on edge and solve puzzles
E) Escape to another world
F) Understand the world around me better
Results: What Should You Read This Summer?
Mostly A’s: Romance
Love is in the air—and on your bookshelf! Dive into swoon-worthy stories of connection, heartbreak, and happily-ever-afters. We’d suggest Annabel Monaghan’s new one, It’s a Love Story or Love is a War Song by Danica Nava.
Mostly A’s and B’s: Contemporary Fiction with a side of Romance
If your favorite fiction is the kind that comes with a touch of romance and you don’t mind if there’s no Happily Ever After, don’t miss Sarah MacLean’s These Summer Storms or Family Matters by Claire Lynch.
Mostly B’s: Contemporary Fiction
You crave stories that reflect real life with a twist. Modern voices, emotional journeys, and relatable characters are your summer go-tos. Try Mary’s summer faves Endling by Maria Reva and When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen.
Mostly C’s: Historical Fiction
The past is your playground. You enjoy stories that transport you to other eras, rich with detail, drama, and depth. Don’t miss Maggie Steifvater’s adult debut, The Listeners (set in a fancy American resort during WWII) and Alison Weir’s The Cardinal (the rise and fall of Thomas Wosely in Tudor England).
Mostly A’s and C’s: Historical Romances
If historical romances sound like the perfect summer reading genre for you, be sure to pick up a copy of The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion, vol 1 by Beth Brower or Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews.
Mostly D’s: Mystery/Thriller
You love a story that keeps you guessing. Twists, turns, and secrets are what make your reading time fly by. We recommend The Death of Us by Abigail Dean and The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers.
Mostly E’s: Fantasy
Let’s give you dragons, destiny, and spells! You read to explore new worlds and epic tales. Pick up The Devils by Joe Abercrombie - a wickedly dark fantastical adventure- or Gareth Brown’s The Society of Unknowable Objects about a secret society tasked with finding and protecting magical objects.
Mostly A’s and E’s: Romantasy
If you love romance that comes with some otherworldly characters or is set in the hallowed alleys of a wizarding world, check out Laramie’s summer picks Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon about a merchant’s daughter and a half-orc blacksmith or Arcana Academy by Elise Kova, in which a woman with magical tarot cards finds herself in a sham engagement with the head of a magical school.
Mostly F’s: Non-Fiction
Real stories, real lives. Whether it’s memoirs, essays, or investigative reporting, you want to learn and be inspired. Try A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst - the crazy true story of a couple that was stranded in the ocean on a dinghy for 118 days. You also can’t go wrong with The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jauoad - 100 essays with 100 journaling prompts to really get your creative juices flowing.