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Summer Reading: Choose Your Hoopla Cocktail Mood

Whatโ€™sย better than a cool summer cocktail combined with an engrossing beachย read? Nothing. Here at Hoopla, we love summer reads: while sipping a cocktail,ย relaxing byย the pool,ย enjoyingย a beach read, or hanging out in a hammock. To celebrate summer,ย weโ€™veย created a choose-your-cocktail-mood quiz.ย Pick your favorite summer cocktail style, click on the button,ย and discover your next greatย summerย read.ย 

Pina Colada cartoon drink

Piรฑa Colada: Escape & Relax

Unwind with beach reads, travel stories, and feel-good favorites that transport you somewhere new. 

Margarita cartoon drink

Margarita: Bold & Fun 

Turn up the excitement with fast-paced fiction, rom-coms, and pop culture picks full of personality. 

 Rose Spritz character

Rosรฉ Spritz: Light & Social 

Perfect for book clubs and casual afternoons, these contemporary fiction choices are easy to share and enjoy. 

Old Fashioned character cocktail

Old Fashioned: Deep & Sophisticated 

Explore literary fiction and historical stories with rich characters and unforgettable journeys. 

Mojito character cocktail

Mojito: Fresh & Curious 

Discover nonfiction, personal growth, and cultural reads that inspire new ideas. 

Espresso Martini cartoon drink

Espresso Martini: Dark & Addictive 

Dive into thrillers, true crime, and psychological dramas that keep you turning pages. 

Summer Shandy cartoon drink

Summer Shandy: Active Adventures 

Enjoy stories about sports, boating, and other favorite summer activities. 


Piรฑa Colada โ€“ Escape & Relax: Beach reads, travel stories, feel-good content 

cover of Five-Star Summer by Sarah Morgan

Five-Star Summer by Sarah Morgan and read by Henrietta Meire 

Evieโ€™s dream of restoring a charming Cornish hotel gets complicated when Abby arrives with secrets of her own. As they work to save the hotel, unexpected friendships, romance, and fresh starts help them discover what really matters. 

cover of The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre

The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward and read by Thรฉrรจse Plummer 

Charlotte hopes a dream vacation will bring her family back together. When she wins a luxury cruise, she, her three grown children, and a few surprises set sail through Europe. Along the way, they uncover old secrets, heal past hurts, and rediscover their bond. 

cover of One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle 

After losing her mother, Katy takes their dream trip to Positano alone. But when her mom mysteriously appears as her younger self, Katy gets a chance to know her in a whole new way. This unforgettable summer brings surprises, healing, and a deeper understanding of love. 


Margarita โ€“ Bold & Fun: Fast-paced fiction, rom-coms, pop culture 

cover of A Shore Thing by Portia MacIntosh

A Shore Thing by Portia MacIntosh and read by Karen Cass 

Cleo and Lockie canโ€™t agree on anything while casting a reality dating show, until a tropical storm forces them to become contestants themselves. Stuck on the island, their fake romance gets complicated as sparks fly, secrets unfold, and the biggest surprise may be falling for each other. 

cover of The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood 

Judith, a witty 77-year-old crossword creator, never expected excitement in quiet Marlowโ€”until she witnesses a murder. Joined by two unlikely friends, she forms the Marlow Murder Club to solve the mystery. But when more bodies appear, their investigation becomes a race to catch a killer. 

cover of My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren 

Millie is great at solving crimes but not so great at relationships. When she joins a dating challenge with her friends, she creates a fake profile and unexpectedly connects with Reid, the one person sheโ€™s trying not to fall for. Now she must decide if love is worth the risk. 


Rosรฉ Spritz โ€“ Light & Social: Book club reads, contemporary fiction 

cover of The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand 

Birdieโ€™s carefully planned summer takes an unexpected turn when her daughter calls off her wedding. As family secrets and surprises unfold, Birdie, her daughters, and her sister escape to a quiet island getaway. Away from distractions, they find healing, new beginnings, and a chance to reconnect. 

cover of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt and read by Marin Ireland and Michael Urie 

After losing her husband and years after her sonโ€™s disappearance, Tova finds comfort working nights at an aquarium. There she befriends Marcellus, a clever octopus with a surprising secret. Together, they uncover long-hidden truths and form an unforgettable friendship that changes everything. 

cover of Mermaid Beach by Sheila Roberts

 
Mermaid Beach by Sheila Robers 

Bonnie loves her cozy life playing music with her family band, but her daughter Avril dreams of bigger things. When new opportunities and unexpected changes shake up Moonlight Harbor, three generations of women must follow their hearts and discover what happiness really means. 


Old Fashioned โ€“ Deep & Sophisticated: Literary fiction, historical stories 

cover of Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett 

When Laraโ€™s daughters return to the family orchard, they ask about her past romance with famous actor Peter Duke. As she shares memories from her theater days, they uncover family stories, revisit old dreams, and see their motherโ€”and their own livesโ€”in a whole new way. 

cover of The Summer Country by Lauren Willig

The Summer Country by Lauren Willig and read by Nicola Barber 

In 1854, Emily inherits a mysterious plantation in Barbados and sets out to uncover its secrets. As she explores the ruined estate, she discovers hidden family truths, old betrayals, and a history that challenges everything she thought she knew about her past and her future. 

cover of The Women by Kristin Hannah

The Women by Kristin Hannah and read by Julia Whelan 

In 1965, Frankie leaves her sheltered life behind to join the Army Nurse Corps and serve in Vietnam. Faced with the realities of war and a changed America, she must find strength, courage, and a new understanding of herself along the way. 


Mojito โ€“ Fresh & Curious: Nonfiction, personal growth, cultural reads 

cover of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Braiding Sweetgrass written and read by Robin Wall Kimmerer  

Not only is the author a botanist and professor of plant ecology, sheโ€™s a Potawatomi woman who has learned the practices of her indigenous ancestors. All this knowledge is braided into her thoughtful and poetic exploration of the languages of other beings, and how we can gain a deeper understanding of our place in the world. 

cover of The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

The Happiness Project written and read by Gretchen Rubin  

After a simple moment of reflection, Gretchen Rubin sets out on a yearlong happiness project. She explores ways to feel more joy, from creating better habits to finding balance and trying new things. This uplifting guide shows how small changes can lead to a happier life. 

cover of World Travel by Anthony Bourdain

World Travel by Anthony Bourdain with Laurie Woolever and read by various readers 

Explore the world through Anthony Bourdainโ€™s eyes in this fun, honest travel guide. Filled with stories, tips, and favorite destinations, it shares where to go, what to eat, and what to know before you visit some of the most unforgettable places on earth. 


Espresso Martini โ€“ Dark & Addictive: Thrillers, true crime, psychological drama 

cover of Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins

Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins and read by Barrie Kreinik 

Lux is ready for adventure when she sails to a remote South Pacific island with her boyfriend and two travelers. But paradise turns dangerous as secrets surface, friendships unravel, and a mysterious death leaves everyone wondering who can be trustedโ€ฆand who will make it home. 

cover of I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

Iโ€™ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara 

Michelle McNamara investigates one of Californiaโ€™s most infamous unsolved crime cases in this gripping true crime story. Through research, interviews, and determination, she follows the trail of the Golden State Killer while exploring the victims, the investigation, and her own search for answers. A modern classic. 

cover of The Resort by Sara Ochs

The Resort by Sara Ochs 

Cassโ€™s dream dive trip in Thailand quickly turns into a nightmare when a student dies and another is badly hurt. As secrets from her past come to light, Cass must uncover the truth before a hidden enemy destroys the life sheโ€™s built and puts her in danger. 


Summer Shandy โ€“ Stories about sports, boating, and other summer activities

cover of Summerland by Michael Chabon

Summerland written and read by Michael Chabon  

Ethanโ€™s summer takes a wild turn when a mysterious scout and a 765-year-old werefox lead him to the magical Summerlands. There the unlikely hero discovers he may be the only one who can save this beautiful world from the villainous Coyote and fulfill an ancient prophecy. 

cover of Adrift by Steven Callahan

Adrift by Steven Callahan 

After his sailboat capsizes, one man faces the ultimate survival challenge: more than a month alone at sea in a small raft. This gripping true story shares his incredible journey, determination, and fight to stay alive against the endless ocean. 

cover of You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian

 
You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian 

In 1960, struggling baseball player Eddie and frustrated reporter Mark are forced to spend a season together. As they move from uneasy partners to something more, they must navigate secrets, careers, and a changing world while deciding if their connection is worth the risk. 


Find Summer Reads for Every Mood 

Are you craving a breezy escape or a page-turning mystery? Choose a cocktail-inspired reading style to find summer reads that fit your vibe. Thereโ€™s something for every taste. Cheers to summer reading! 

*Titles may vary by library