Chase Sunbeams or Sea Monsters: Your Summer Armchair Adventure Guide
From Jules Verne’s fantastical voyages to modern thrillers and even romance, uncover some epic adventure reads—and where to find even more quests.
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Adventure Awaits: Thrilling Escapes to Fuel Your Wanderlust 📚
Hi Bookish Besties,
Have you been chasing adventures this summer—whether that’s a weekend jaunt to a nearby town, an epic road-trip playlist on repeat, or globetrotting to far-flung locales?
This year, we decided to skip international flights and instead hit the highway, taking the scenic route through winding backroads and discovering cool hidden roadside spots. Between car audiobook sessions and impromptu nature walks, we found that the best adventures are sometimes right in our own backyard.
Now I've gone on thousands of adventures through the books I’ve read. From stories that will whisk you off to alien worlds, jungle ruins, and ocean depths all without leaving your armchair. So whether you’re plotting your next real-life excursion or just looking to escape into someone else’s daring tale, I’ve got some unforgettable reads for you: the classic visionary Jules Verne, two timeless adventures, a spicy archaeological romance, and a survival thriller that will have you holding your breath.
Let’s chart a course for our armchair adventures!
P.S. If you haven’t already, download your copy of The 2025 Summer Reading Guide:
Adventure Books to Fuel Your Summer Escapades
Whether you’re itching to conquer uncharted worlds or simply crave a little escapism, these reads have got you covered.
Jules Verne Essentials & Where to Start
If “adventure” had a patron saint, in my opinion, it’d be Jules Verne. Born in 1828, this French visionary sent readers to the ocean’s abyss, the earth’s core, and the moon long before sci-fi blockbusters existed.
I will admit, I didn’t appreciate Verne in school—but thanks to my husband, I discovered Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and was instantly hooked on his blend of science, exploration, and high-stakes plot twists. Whether you’re new to Verne or eager to revisit his classics, check out my guide to 5 must-read Jules Verne novels.
Classic Adventure Books
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
When the Martian cylinders crash on Horsell Common, it’s humanity vs. ‘invader’—and Wells’s vision of alien conquest still pulses with tension more than a century later. I love its blend of relentless suspense and big-idea commentary on survival and society under siege. Perfect for readers who crave early sci-fi with unflinching stakes.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Edmond Dantès’s odyssey from wronged sailor to treasure-wielding avenger taught me the power—and peril—of vengeance. Dumas’s sweeping narrative of betrayal, escape, and ultimate redemption is a masterclass in pacing and drama. Ideal for anyone who lives for sprawling epics and moral reckonings.
Get 10 more classic adventure books that will ignite your wanderlust when you click here.
Adventure Romance Books
Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
Corrie Mejía, an Aztec warrior scholar, and her ex-flame Ford Matthews trek through Mexico’s jungles in search of ancient relics—and sparks fly amid booby traps and narrow escapes. This one hooked me with its “Indiana Jones meets enemies-to-lovers” vibe. If you love archaeology, romance, and a dash of spicy banter, buckle up.
Discover more adventure romance books that will also engage your heart when you click here.
Adventure Mystery & Thriller Books
Drowning by T.J. Newman
When Flight 1421’s engine fails over the Pacific, pilot Will Kent and his daughter Shannon must choose between a sinking fuselage and scorching seas. Meanwhile, Will’s ex, Chris, races to rescue them—equipped with engineering know-how and Mama Bear ferocity. I picked this for its non-stop tension and emotional heart; perfect for fans of survival dramas that test love and loss.
Discover more adventure mystery and thriller books that will keep you on edge when you click here.
More Summer Bookish Goodness to Explore
The 2025 Summer Reading Guide — From heart-pounding thrillers to eye-opening nonfiction, browse the lists.
The 2025 Minimalist Summer Reading List — Ten best books from the full summer guide.
2025 Summer Books for Your Zodiac Sign — From fiery Aries adventures to dreamy Pisces tales, match your star sign to the perfect new release.
Classic Books to Read in Summer — Timeless reads that feel especially magical in the summer months.
2025 Summer Reading Challenge — Five fun prompts to keep your reading fresh and playful all season long.
Seasonal Living Ideas for Summer — Embrace the season with joyful, mindful lifestyle ideas.
Ultimate Summer Bucket List — 50 fun, budget-friendly activities to try in 2025.
Literary Calendar
July is Disability Pride Month.
July 11th 2014: On its 54th birthday, To Kill a Mockingbird is released as an e-book for the first time. The book was first published on July 11, 1960.
July 11th 1899: E. B. White is born. Popular works include: Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, The Trumpet of the Swan.
July 12th 1817: Henry David Thoreau is born. Popular works include: Walden, Civil Disobedience.
July 12th 1904: Pablo Neruda is born. Popular works include: The Book of Questions, Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair, I Explain a Few Things: Selected Poems, All the Odes, The Captain's Verses.
July 14th 1860: Owen Wister is born. Popular works include: The Virginian.
July 14th 1903: Irving Stone is born. Popular works include: The Agony and the Ecstasy, Lust for Life.
July 15th 1779: Clement Moore is born. Popular works include: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
July 15th 1909: Iris Murdoch is born. Popular works include: The Bell, Under the Net, The Sea, the Sea, A Severed Head.
July 17th 1889: Erle Stanley Gardner is born. Popular works include: Perry Mason series.
July 18th 1811: William Makepeace Thackeray is born. Popular works include: Vanity Fair, Barry Lyndon.
July 18th 1918: Nelson Mandela is born. Popular works include: I Am Prepared to Die, No Easy Walk to Freedom, The Struggle Is My Life, Long Walk to Freedom.
✨Final Thoughts
Wishing you a weekend filled with wild exploits—whether on sandy beaches, mountain trails, or the pages of these books.
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Happy reading!
Victoria
P.S. Mark your calendar and join us for July’s BYOB Club meeting on Saturday, July 26th, 2025 at 7 pm ET. Bring a book you've read during the past month and share it with us.
How to join, details, and more in the post below:
