Summer Reading List 2026: 3 Books You Won't Be Able to Put Down

Get your summer reading recommendations for women over 40, curated by someone who reads more in a month than most people read in a year. This episode is your 2026 summer reading list, plus the permission to quit every book that is not worth your precious time.Today I’m joined by my friend (since preschool!) and repeat guest Alexis Lynch for our annual summer reading conversation. Alexis shares three picks for 2026, including a novel about midlife identity and reflections on aging, a prison book club story that restores your faith in humanity, and a guilty pleasure page-turner she finished in 24 hours. We also discuss Heart the Lover by Lily King, including the passionate-love-versus-stable-partnership theme and the concept of how our identity evolves over the decades. Oh, and Alexis admits this book inspired her to secretly sleuth her college boyfriend…What you'll hear:Alexis's three summer reading picks for midlife women, with honest reviews on eachUpdated tips for actually reading more when life is completely fullA discussion of Heart the Lover: the big themes, what the hidden name means, and why this book grabs hold of your heartThe one book to start with if you haven't read anything in a long timeAlexis Lynch is a practicing attorney, a lifelong reader, and a self-described quitter of bad books.Alexis’ summer 2026 reading list for women over 40:So Old, So Young by Grant GrinderHow to Read a Book by Monica WoodThese Summer Storms by Sarah MacLeanThe book Alexis and Jessica discuss that is SO good:Heart the Lover by Lily KingI want to hear from you. Send me a text or voicemail!😴 Sleep better tonight with my free 10-minute audio breathwork session! (https://your.belongwellness.com/sleep)⚡️Join the waitlist for Hello, Next-Level You, my upcoming 3-month group breathwork experience for midlife women who are ready to feel f*cking GREAT. Program launches in September. (https://www.belongwellness.com/work-with-me)✨For more midlife advice on perimenopause, hormone health, nervous system regulation, and living with purpose in your 40s and 50s follow me: @midlifeadvicepodcast | @heyjessicalong