This article was written by Samantha, nuCamp’s social media and video specialist, and includes her recommendations.
There’s something magical about escaping into a good book—and there’s no better place to read than in the great outdoors. Whether you’re swinging in a hammock beneath the trees, curled up inside your camper on a rainy afternoon, or sipping coffee beside a crackling campfire, reading and camping go hand in hand.
August 9 is National Book Lovers Day, a day to slow down, disconnect from the digital noise, and reconnect with the power of a great story—surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature.
As a lifelong book lover, I can tell you some of my favorite reading moments happen outside. I love settling into my egg chair in the backyard, listening to the birds sing and feeling a gentle breeze as I turn the pages. And while I don’t get to camp as often, you can bet I’d never head out on a trip without a few books tucked in with the gear.
Below are some of my personal book recommendations, organized by camping setting and genre, to help you pick your perfect next read. Click to read the full summary to see if these books are right for you. Everyone has different tastes and favorites — and that’s okay!
What to Read on the Road
Camping in the Woods
Immerse yourself in stories that mirror the stillness, mystery, and wonder of the forest.
Thrillers
- In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware – A bachelorette party in a remote forest cabin spirals into suspense and secrets.
- God of the Woods by Liz Moore – A girl vanishes from a prestigious summer camp in the Adirondacks, triggering a decades-long mystery.
Romance
- Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren – A nostalgic, second-chance love story between childhood sweethearts reuniting years later.
- One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid – A woman is torn between the husband she thought was dead and the fiancé she’s come to love. There is also a movie.
General Fiction
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens – A haunting, lyrical story of isolation, love, and resilience in the marshlands of North Carolina. There is also a movie.
- Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah – A mysterious child appears in the woods, changing the lives of two people forever. This book took me by surprise at how much I enjoyed it!
Camping at the Lake
Pair the calm of lake life with page-turners full of depth, emotion, or suspense.
Thrillers
- The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager – A lakeside thriller where a grieving woman spies on her neighbors and uncovers dangerous secrets.
- The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager – A former camper returns to a summer camp with a dark past to uncover long-buried truths.
Romance
- Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune – A tender story about rekindled love, set against the backdrop of a lakeside resort. The sequel, One Golden Summer, is just as good! If you are a romance lover, you can’t go wrong with Carley Fortune.
- Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez – Two serial daters who believe they’re each other’s “kryptonite” agree to a no-strings summer… until feelings complicate things. This is the third in a series, but all the books focus on different characters, so you don’t necessarily have to read them in order.
General Fiction
- The People We Keep by Allison Larkin – A tender coming-of-age story about a young songwriter who hits the road in search of belonging. Along the way, she meets strangers who shape her journey and remind her that sometimes, family is found in the most unexpected places.
- Tom Lake by Ann Patchett – A mother recounts her past romance during a summer theater season while picking cherries with her daughters.
Camping at the Beach
These sun-soaked stories are perfect for sandy toes and salty air.
Thrillers
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley – A glamorous wedding on a remote coastal island turns deadly as secrets unravel.
- I Found You by Lisa Jewell – A woman finds a man with no memory on the beach, and their lives become entangled in a suspenseful mystery.
Romance
- Beach Read by Emily Henry – Two writers with opposing styles swap genres and fall in love over one transformative summer. Any Emily Henry book is a fantastic summer romance pick!
- The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren – Two enemies are forced to take a nonrefundable honeymoon together… and sparks fly in paradise. I don’t know about you, but I love an enemies-to-lovers trope.
General Fiction
- Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Four siblings throw a party to remember, but their family secrets and the coastal setting steal the show.
- The Wedding People by Alison Espach – A witty, offbeat novel set at a New England seaside hotel, where three strangers arrive for different reasons but end up forming an unexpected bond during a week of weddings, secrets, and personal reflection.
Camping in the Mountains
Head to higher ground with emotionally powerful or edge-of-your-seat reads.
Thrillers
- One by One by Ruth Ware – A tech company’s corporate retreat in the snowy Alps becomes deadly after an avalanche traps them.
- The Only One Left by Riley Sager – A caregiver uncovers secrets in a crumbling cliffside mansion tied to a decades-old family murder. Yes, this is the third Riley Sager on this list. I love his books! You cannot go wrong with any of them!
Romance
- You with a View by Jessica Joyce – Two enemies take a cross-country road trip to honor their grandparents’ final wish and unexpectedly fall for each other. This book was an unexpected 5 stars for me.
- The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros – A touching romance between a grieving woman and a soldier who has been writing her anonymous love letters. Warning: you will need tissues.
General Fiction
- The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah – A harrowing and beautiful story about survival, love, and abuse set in the rugged Alaskan wilderness. Everybook I’ve read by Kristin Hannah has been beautiful!
- The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes – An inspiring historical novel about a group of horseback-riding librarians in Depression-era Kentucky who bring books—and hope—to remote mountain communities.
Happy Camping (and reading!)
Whether you’re curled up in your camper, relaxing in a hammock, or reading by flashlight under the stars, National Book Lovers Day is a wonderful reason to take a break and enjoy the beauty of both nature and storytelling.
What’s your favorite place to read while camping? Let us know in the comments and include your recommendations!
Recent Articles
