Summer Reading List 2026: Hidden Raspberry Press Gems for Your Summer

Summer is the perfect season to slow down, spend time outdoors, and finally tackle that growing reading list. While popular bestsellers often dominate summer reading recommendations, there are plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered—that’s what our Summer Reading List 2026 is all about.

This year, we're shining a spotlight on a selection of Raspberry Press titles to create our Summer Reading List 2026. We know you will grow to love them if you give them a chance, and we really hope you will. There are plenty of well known stories within Raspberry Press, and we want to ensure you know why these titles—some newer, and some lesser known—deserve a place in your beach bag, camping tote, or favourite reading chair.

From mysteries and children's adventures to business guidance and thought-provoking short stories, there's something  on our Summer Reading List 2026 for readers of all ages.

The Passive Practice – Kayla Das

For the practitioners among us, start the summer strong with a book that teaches us all about earning more with private practice, especially during vacation and seasonal shifts. 

The Passive Practice focuses on spending more time outside of your practice and outside of the home while still creating opportunities for growth.

If you choose to begin your summer reading journey here, you'll learn about passive income, what success can look like when passive income becomes part of your strategy, and practical steps to help set these systems up for yourself. 

Summer is often seen as a season of growth and renewal, making it the perfect time to explore new ways of working smarter rather than harder. Kayla Das herself even recommends ways to begin making your vacations work for you. That’s why The Passive Practice is topping off our list for this year. 

Mystery in Fort Richfield – Crystal Tamboline

What better way to engage the mind over the summer months than with a twist-filled mystery packed with haunting secrets? Crystal Tamboline's Mystery in Fort Richfield offers readers a compelling young adult mystery with a touch of nostalgia and plenty of suspense.

A missing teen, a scream in the woods, and amber eyes in the darkness set the stage. Two girls become intertwined with a story they can't let go of—and one that won't let go of them. New clues and old wounds draw readers deeper into the mystery, making it an excellent companion for long summer afternoons and late-night reading sessions.

Larry & Marshall's Newfoundland Adventures – Kayla Das & Sumit Das

A fun children's tale featuring two furry friends, Larry and Marshall, who set sail around the coast of Newfoundland. Along the way, they learn new things about themselves as they begin to understand the world around them.

Filled with adventure, discovery, and the possibility of new friendships, this story captures many of the same experiences summer offers us: exploration, curiosity, and memorable journeys. It's a wonderful book to share with the young readers in your life.

Read to ignite the spark of adventure and the reading bug in our young ones than adding this book from our Summer Reading List 2026 to your personal list this summer. 

Billy's Lost Sock – Simonne Ferguson

Summer often means visits to Grandma's house, making Billy's Lost Sock a fitting addition to our Raspberry Press Summer Reading List 2026. 

This charming children's story follows the search for a missing sock with a twist of where it is found. With themes of family connection and shared experiences across generations, it celebrates the simple moments that often become our favourite memories.

It's a warm and relatable story that's perfect for family reading time during the summer months. Get this book for your grandkids, your own kids, or pack it in their overnight get away bag for a heartwarming adventure that will delight young readers long after the last page is turned.

iDead and Other Short Stories – Wyatt Tremblay

What better time to invite reflection into your life than a sunny summer day with nowhere to be? iDead and Other Short Stories is a collection by Raspberry Press author Wyatt Tremblay that explores everything from babies in the cradle to life in the workplace and the mysteries surrounding life and death.

Short story collections are ideal summer reading because they can be enjoyed one story at a time, whether you're sitting by the lake, relaxing in the backyard, or travelling. 

Each story offers readers a fresh perspective and something new to consider.

Hamlet: Port Royal's Lost Pirate Translation – Jimy B (Translated by James Boylan)

Set sail with a pirate's translation of a true classic. Hamlet: Port Royal's Lost Pirate Translation offers readers the chance to experience one of literature's most famous stories through an entirely new lens.

Whether you're spending the day on the water, relaxing at the beach, or simply enjoying the sunshine from your backyard, this playful take on Shakespeare's classic offers a fresh perspective on a familiar tale. 

You may know the story already, but discovering it in pirate language breathes new life into this classic tale, creating a fun and unforgettable reading adventure for pirate and Shakespeare enthusiasts of all ages.

The High Baller's Ballad – Megan and Alan Wain

Any better addition to a summer reading list than a story rooted in the Canadian outdoors? Written in a fun rhyming style, The High Baller's Ballad tells the story of a tree-planting crew working in the Canadian bush.

Bugs, dirt, trees, weather, and adventure all play a role in this uniquely Canadian tale. Few books capture the spirit of a Canadian summer quite like this one, making it a natural fit for our Summer Reading List 2026.

The High Baller's Ballad shines a light on the uniquely Canadian culture of tree planting, blending humour, heart, and lyrical storytelling into an unforgettable read. Former tree planters will find themselves nodding along in recognition, while newcomers will be entertained by a world they never knew existed.

A final special consideration for this book—it would make an excellent addition to a fun summer care package for a tree planter in your life! 

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Whether you're looking to grow professionally, solve a mystery, share stories with children, reflect on life's bigger questions, or revisit a classic in an entirely new way, these Raspberry Press titles offer something a little different for your Summer Reading List. This season, consider picking up a lesser-known title and discovering a new favourite author along the way. 

Find these titles and more on our publications page!