11 books to add to your summer reading list

11 books to add to your summer reading list
From sweeping epics to modern romances to fascinating memoirs, our picks for the best summer reads.

‘True Story’ by Kate Reed Petty

Inventive, unexpected and utterly breathtaking, True Story is the perfect page-turner for beach reading. Following the aftermath of a sexual assault, the genre-bending story is full of twists and turns with a layer of depth that will leave you thinking about it long after you’ve finished reading.

‘Ghosts’ by Dolly Alderton

If you find yourself missing The High Low podcast, pick up co-host Alderton’s funny, witty and tender debut novel Ghosts. The story follows food writer Nina Dean as she meets the charming Max and navigates the modern world of relationships, family and dating.

‘Trick Mirror’ by Jia Tolentino

Full of witty reflections and nuanced observations, Trick Mirror is an entertaining exploration of the times we live in. It tackles questions like, ‘What happens to our behaviour when we live most of our lives online?’ and ‘What does it mean to be always optimising?’

‘This Is Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor’ by Adam Kay

Equal parts hilarious, horrifying and heartbreaking, Adam Kay’s fascinating novel takes you to the frontline of the NHS, revealing a day in the life of a young doctor and the pitfalls of the UK health system.

‘The Overstory’ by Richard Powers

A sweeping novel that weaves together fables of the natural world, The Overstory follows a group of people who are drawn to the land and the stories it holds.

‘Auē’ by Becky Manawatu

Fiction winner at the 2020 Ockham Book Awards, Auē is a sublime tale of a boy born into sorrow and violence. “It’s full of beautiful characters that are so full of heart it keeps you going through this constantly unfolding journey,” says Mandy Myles, owner of Bookety Book Books.

‘Shantaram’ by Gregory Roberts

An epic, mesmerizing and un-put-down-able summer read, Roberts’ sweeping first novel takes you into the underworld of Bombay, following an escaped convict as they flee to Australia.

‘A Promised Land’ by Barack Obama

Obama’s giant 700+ page memoir is no doubt one of the top books on everyone’s summer reading list in 2020.

‘Exciting Times’ by Naoise Dolan

Set in Hong Kong, Exciting Times follows the lives of three expats as they negotiate the ups and downs of modern love, class and capitalism. “Dolan has been compared to Sally Rooney for this brilliantly witty debut, plus it’s only 197 pages, which suggests a very well edited plot,” recommends Myles.

‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig

Matt Haig’s enchanting novel follows Nora Seed as she finds herself with the power to undo lifelong regrets and change her life for a new one, asking the question, ‘what makes a truly fulfilling life?’

‘The Chiffon Trenches’ by André Leon Talley

Perfect for fashion-lovers, The Chiffon Trenches is the bestselling memoir from iconic Vogue creator director André Leon Talley. The fascinating memoir gives readers a behind-the-scenes look inside the world of high fashion.

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