The weather has warmed up, Summer Fridays are back at last, and it’s time for one of my favorite PAN traditions – the PAN Summer Reading List! From sprawling fantasy epics and dark academia to heartfelt literary fiction and classics, PAN employees have rounded up the books they couldn’t stop talking about this year. Whether you’re packing for a beach vacation, lounging by the lake, or simply looking for your next great escape, here’s what’s topping our lists this summer.
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror & Speculative Fiction
This category is a big favorite at PAN (our Fantasy Teams chat is hot!), with some great choices this year.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman: A very strange but very entertaining LitRPG series following Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut (a hilarious and endearing character), as they battle through a deadly intergalactic game show after Earth is transformed into an 18-level dungeon.
“Alien invasion meets the Hunger Games. Don’t let the campy covers fool you – this series matches its outlandish plot and comedy with an equal amount of sincerity, heart and character development. And each book is better than the last”! - Jake Doll
“Jake, I came here to recommend DCC too – great choice!” – Ash Waters
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang: A dark academia fantasy inspired by Dante’s Inferno in which two rival graduate students journey through Hell to save their professor’s soul. This is not a light read, but it’s just fantastical enough to keep you reading until the end. There’s a mystery to solve and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic that keeps the underworld (somewhat) grounded. If you need an existential crisis, this book is for you.
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas: The epic conclusion to the Throne of Glass series delivers action, heartbreak, and long-awaited resolutions.
“If you read the Fourteenth Annual PAN Summer Reading List, you will have seen I started the Throne of Glass series and got through the first book in 4 days. Well, I’m finally done with the 7-book series, and it took me SO LONG to finish this last book because I didn’t want the series to be over. Good luck!” - Jess Tasman
The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: A chilling multigenerational horror story weaving together witchcraft, dark academia, and supernatural forces across centuries. New England dark academia aesthetic meets 1900s Mexico to create a truly scary witchcraft/vampire book.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: You’ve probably heard of this book and the Ryan Gosling movie adaptation – the story of unlikely hero Ryland Grace (and alien sidekick Rocky) on his quest to save Earth – and it was one of my favorites last year!
“I’m told this was on last year’s list but given the amount of joy space has brought society this year worth reincluding. It’s the perfect blend of science, humor, action, adventure and unlikely friendships (with a pretty good movie adaptation). Eternally hung over from this book thanks to Dana Kringel” – Samantha Smoak [with several retweets]
Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe: Set in a corrupt surveillance state, this dystopian fantasy follows a mercenary forced into an unlikely alliance after a failed assassination attempt. For fans of “future dystopian society” reads, it includes adult themes and intense but smart, fast paced writing, with twists and turns. A strong starting point to a multi-part series.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke: This buzzy book follows a social media tradwife influencer who suddenly finds herself transported back to the harsh realities of 1805 America. It’s next up on my To Be Read list!
“If you’re deeply enthralled by tradwife influencers, this sharp story will scratch that itch.” – Kelsey Sowder
The Trial by Franz Kafka: Kafka’s classic follows Josef K. as he battles a mysterious and nonsensical bureaucracy after being arrested for an unknown crime.
“Have you ever felt trapped in an endless administrative circle that made no sense? The Trial takes this to the extreme as a satire of bureaucracy that subtly touches on the perception of authority. Expect this to be a frustrating read and sit with that feeling… it’s the whole point!” – Travis Van Horn
Romance, Literary Fiction & Contemporary Reads
We have a wide range of options in this category that will give you all the feels.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans: This one has popped up on a lot of lists and it’s easy to see why.
“A beautiful and uniquely constructed story told entirely through letters, emails and journal entries. It made me laugh, cry and think deeply about themes ranging from mom guilt to grief to the power of friendship and community. One of my favorites of the year – and if both my Book Club and my mom’s Book Club loved it, you know it’s good!” - Ariel Novak
Heart the Lover by Lily King: An exploration of first love, memory, and loss. What I’d call a smart, “literary” romance novel.
“I loved Lily King’s style of writing. This book had me weeping and in a puddle at one point (sometimes you need a cathartic cry). Beautifully written!” – Lauren Gangemi
Writers & Lovers by Lily King: The prequel to Heart The Lover, a coming-of-age story about an aspiring writer navigating grief, debt, and complicated relationships while trying to finish her novel.
“I just finished Heart the Lover and will be reading this next since they’re companion novels. I’m sure I’ll love it just as much as Lily King’s other writings. Some people recommend reading W&L before HTL for the best experience, but you can do either order.” – Lauren Gangemi
My Friends by Fredrik Backman: Also a coming of age novel, following a group of teenagers in an unconventional story about art and friendship.
“This one is strange, heartwarming, and by far my favorite book I read in 2025. It’ll put you in your feels about the special friendships you have with your hometown crew (especially if you guys were kinda weird).” - Dana Kringel
Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein: A true summer read set at a lake house, filled with lighthearted drama.
“I’ve seen this book described as the grown up version of the parent trap and think that is a fantastic comparison. The vivid characters, messy family secrets and picturesque setting of the lake house make this a fun, easy summer read.” – Gracie Ramos
Historical Fiction
We have several great choices, set in varied time periods from 15th-century China, to early-20th-century Korea, to Iran in the 1970’s to modern-day Palm Beach.
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki: A historical fiction novel about Marjorie Merriweather Post, the heiress to the Post cereal fortune who became one of America’s wealthiest women, a businesswoman, and a prominent social figure. The book chronicles her life from her humble beginnings, through four marriages, and into her role in building the General Foods empire, acquiring Russian treasures, and hosting presidents, presenting an intimate portrait of a powerful woman shaping history.
“This is a different one for me; but creating my residence in FL, specifically Palm Beach, I was keen to learn more about the people that made it happen. MMP created the one hospital we have now in West Palm Beach. She did so much good, while leading a very interesting life. Next up ‘The Astonishing Life & Times of Henry Flagler.’”– Phil Nardone
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee: A sweeping multigenerational novel follows a Korean family across four generations.
“An older book but new to me and so timeless! I was completely immersed in the story and the newest audiobook adaptation narrated by Sandra Oh is wonderful.” – Ariel Novak
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See: Historical fiction fans unite! This is a fascinating window into the lives of women in 15th-century China. It highlights the steep uphill battle women faced to find care in a world dominated by male doctors, while beautifully capturing the complexities of female relationships.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali: A moving historical fiction novel following two lifelong friends navigating political upheaval and personal betrayal between Tehran and America.
“Historical fiction that speaks deeply to the power of friendship, especially during adolescence and times of turmoil. The two main characters are written beautifully, and you will find yourself rooting for each of them, separately but also together.” - Emily Hubbard
Memoirs and Biographies
I’ve set a personal goal to read more non-fiction and have been gravitating toward memoirs; Here are a few of my recent favorites.
Adrift: Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea by Steven Callahan
“I’m drawn to survival stories, and specifically the sub-genre of shipwrecks. I’ve read several recently– A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck, The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder and Adrift and enjoyed the true stories of resilience in each. I’d recommend Adrift for the author’s moving reflections on life in the midst of a thrilling tale of survival.” – Ariel Novak
Famesick by Lena Dunham: The new memoir from Girls creator Lena Dunham.
“For all my fellow (elder) Millennials, Lena Dunham’s memoir is a fun, but also often heavy, look at Lena’s life, the making of Girls, and the impact of fame and chronic illness. Plus, there’s some juicy 2010’s celebrity gossip.” – Ariel Novak
Dogs, Boys and Other Things I’ve Cried About by Isabel Klee: The content creator behind SimonSits, weaves together the stories of her foster dogs—and the challenges she helped them overcome—with tales of complicated relationships, hard decisions, and great loves in New York City, all leading to a happy ending for both the rescue pups and Isabel herself.
“A love letter to dogs, young love and New York City. Beautifully written and heartwarming, this memoir reads more like a fiction novel and will have you yearning to snuggle your pup.” - Sarah Geist
Business & Leadership
Of course, it wouldn’t be a PAN Summer Reading List without some books to help us hone our leadership and management skills.
Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit by Brené Brown: An urgent call to reimagine the essentials of courageous leadership. In a time when uncertainty runs deep and bluster, hubris, and even cruelty are increasingly framed as acceptable leadership, Brown delivers practical, actionable insights that illuminate the mindsets and skill sets essential to reclaiming focus and driving growth through connection, discipline, and accountability.
“This is just an awesome read that offers insight across your personal and professional lives, the importance of finding your strong ground to advocate for yourself, for your family, your team, your organization, in ways that build shared accountability and mutual success. It’s also a very practical and useful guide that you can refer back to whenever you need a refresher.” – Matthew Briggs
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara: This book was recommended by several PAN leaders for its insights into client relations and management. Former Eleven Madison Park co-owner Will Guidara shares how transforming standard service into hyper-personalized, “over-the-top” experiences elevated a struggling brasserie into the world’s best restaurant – and the leadership lessons it taught him along the way.
Thrillers & Mystery
Rounding out our list with some page turners.
You Deserve to Know by Aggie Blum Thompson: A suburban murder mystery packed with betrayal, affairs, and shocking twists.
“Just a chef’s kiss suburban scandal with an ending you won’t see coming (and that’s totally satisfying).” - Samantha Smoak
“Endorsing this pick!” - Kelsey Sowder
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë: A gothic classic that’s worth a (re) read.
“Did you enjoy Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre? This book is one of the least widely read of the Brontë sisters’ major works, but the one that most explicitly portrays addiction, domestic abuse, and women’s autonomy. In fact, the author’s surviving sister discouraged re-publication of the book because she found the themes too harsh and coarse. Don’t miss this hidden gem!”– Travis Van Horn
What did we miss? And what’s on your list this summer?
