“The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives.” – Matilda, Roald Dahl.
So, I finished my degree. This means freedom from reading lists and being able to read for my own pleasure at long last. I thought I’d put together a little list of books to read this summer, some I’ve read before and some I’m itching to read.
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The Truth About Forever- Sarah Dessen
I’d say Sarah Dessen is a guilty pleasure read but why be ashamed of what you enjoy? Her books are like reading the best teen rom-com film you can imagine. The Truth About Forever follows Macy Queen who seems set to spends the summer alone with only emails from her uptight boyfriend to keep her company. I love how the character develops in this story as she sheds her ‘perfect’ image and starts to enjoy herself, it’s a really fun, quick read.
2. Sister- Rosamund Lupton
I’ve just finished reading this and I was gripped throughout, there’s nothing better than getting so stuck into a book you finish it in a few days! When Beatrice’s sister goes missing she jumps on the first plane to London to help look for her. It becomes clear she’ll do anything to find out what happened to Tess, even if it means learning that they weren’t as close as she thought. I loved this for the tension that a crime/thriller novel is expected to bring but also for the beautiful way it’s written.
3. Orangeboy- Patrice Lawrence
This is top of my TBR pile, I’ve heard great things as it’s won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, in the older fiction category and been shortlisted for a couple of YA awards. The story follows Marlon, who is a bit of an outsider, as he gets caught up in a tragedy and has to make choices that go against everything he’s wanted to be. The synopsis has really intrigued me.
4. Us- David Nicholls
David Nicholls is famous for his epic love stories but this book is a little different. There’s still that element of romance- because his marriage is in jeopardy Douglas books a summer trip around Europe- but there’s a family dynamic that I really loved. This is a book which captures the reality of family life in such a funny and moving way.
5. Hot Milk- Deborah Levy
I read this book for my dissertation but I think it would make a great summer read as it’s dreamlike, mysterious and set on the coast of southern Spain. Sofia, an Anthropology student, cares tirelessly for her demanding mother who is suffering from an illness which cannot be diagnosed. The pair travel to Spain to visit Dr. Gomez as a last resort but find his methods strange. The tension in this novel is compelling, from the strained mother-daughter relationship to the sexual tension between Sofia and those she befriends.
What are you reading this summer? Let me know as I love finding new books to get stuck into!
