My Summer Reading Recommendations for 2025

There are two types of people in summer: those who can spend hours lying on the beach, soaking up the sun. And those who would rather devour three books in the same amount of time – preferably while keeping their belly in the shade.

I definitely belong to the second group. That’s why I’ve put together three new reading recommendations for you again this year. This time, it’s a wild mix of science fiction, an epic family saga, and a mind-bending thriller about parallel universes:

  • a nerdy AI protagonist who clones himself
  • two men who hate each other for life
  • an artificial intelligence that might just take control of the world

Curious? Then read on – maybe one of these is just the right story for your summer!

We Are Legion (We Are Bob)

We Are Legion (We Are Bob)

by Dennis E. Taylor

This is the first part of the so-called “Bobiverse,” a science fiction series that quickly escalates into full-blown hard sci-fi after starting in the present day.

Bob is cryogenically frozen after his death (in our time) and reawakened a hundred years later as an AI – now property of a fanatically religious US government. His mission: to find habitable planets, while Earth descends into war.

There are two main reasons why I love this book: Bob is a geek through and through, and he’s absolutely hilarious.

As with many sci-fi novels, the outlook for humanity is rather dystopian, so I’d recommend this one only to true science fiction fans – but for them, it’s a must-read.

Kane and Abel

Kane and Abel

by Jeffrey Archer

The first part of Jeffrey Archer’s “Kane saga” is a sweeping journey through the 20th century. It follows the lives of two men born in 1906, whose pride and ambition turn them into lifelong rivals despite their many similarities.

Abel Rosnovski survives Russian war imprisonment, escapes, and emigrates to the US, where he works his way up to becoming a successful hotel manager.

William Kane, heir to a wealthy Boston banker, has to prove himself in the banking world despite his privileged upbringing.

A series of unfortunate events sparks a deep rivalry and intense hatred between these two strong-willed characters.

This is one of the most captivating novels I’ve ever read! Jeffrey Archer is a master storyteller, and this book is truly epic.

If you enjoy Ken Follett’s works, you should definitely not miss this one!

The Tyranny of the Butterfly

The Tyranny of the Butterfly

by Frank Schätzing

This thriller, which partly ventures into fantastic, foreign worlds, begins in the present day and in real places – first in South Sudan, then in California.

But the story quickly shifts into the realm of fiction, revolving around parallel universes. A powerful AI named A.R.E.S. enables travel between these universes, and its owner, the company Nordvisk, uses this technology to solve humanity’s problems in our known world.

When the AI feels threatened, it begins to secure its own survival – by any means necessary.

Frank Schätzing is best known for The Swarm, especially after the TV adaptation. Personally, I preferred The Tyranny of the Butterfly over The Swarm, although both books could have been told in fewer pages.

My personal verdict: occasionally a bit long-winded, but overall absolutely worth reading!

Summer: Enjoy the weather, read books & boost your Automic skills!

If you’re not just in the mood for books this summer but also want to level up your Automic skills or explore entirely new topics, now’s the perfect time! With the PEM Explorer, you can dive into a variety of content – completely free and with no strings attached.

PEM offers you:

  • Courses, tutorials, and structured learning paths for every user role
  • Hands-on PEM Labs to apply what you’ve learned directly
  • Regular new content to keep your skills sharp

If that sounds good and you want more, feel free to check out our pricing overview. It’ll show you which package suits you best – and maybe you’ll turn your summer break into an upgrade for your Automic skills.

Whether you spend your summer with a great book or some valuable new knowledge for your career – I wish you a fantastic time!