We are over halfway through 2025 already and the summer heat is upon us. This month we’ll read a historical fiction book and a book set during a summer break.

As always, the books listed are merely suggestions, and you are not limited to only the books I have listed. Also, I haven’t read all of the suggested books. Some of them I pulled from other reader’s lists because the synopsis sounded interesting. Do your due diligence to check trigger warnings, etc before jumping in. Happy reading!

July is when the United States celebrates Independence Day, and for whatever reason, this holiday makes me think of wars and history. This month I challenge you to read a historical fiction book, BUT choose one that isn’t set during World War II. I say that because I feel like most of the popular historical fiction books set during a time of war focus on WWII and since we’re all about getting outside our comfort zone with these challenges, look for a different time period.

Here are a few examples:

And a few others:

• The Good Lord Bird by James McBride
• The Women by Kristin Hannah
• Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
• A Most Clever Girl by Stephanie Marie Thornton

Summer vacations can be quiet and meaningful, or big and loud and adventurous, and there are several books where big things happen over the course of a summer break or vacation. Let’s read one!

Here are a few suggestions:

And a few others:

• Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
• The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Hahn
• Where the Line Bleeds by Jesmyn Ward
• Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead
• Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
• Until August by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

For more reading prompts and to see my progress on these and other challenges check out this page.

If you’re playing along, don’t forget to tag your posts on Instagram or Threads using the #JRIA25 hashtag.

Happy reading!