Summer Reads: 12 Books to Add to Your Reading List

You know I love a good book, so I asked around for some latest suggestions from the team and from friends, and I thought I’d share my shortlist for this summer (yes, I am an optimist and like to think I’ll get through 10 books, which is highly unlikely, but a girl can dream)

Team suggestions:

Lizzie:

1.  Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

“Perfect if you work in a creative industry or just want to live a bit more creatively. An uplifting and funny non-fiction read.”

You’ll love this if you liked The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

2. Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati

 “I read this last summer on holiday. It cuts through all the overwhelming nutrition advice and gives you the basics in a really simple way.”

You’ll love this if you liked Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker

3. Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

“A love story between two Black artists in South London. It’s raw, moving, and full of feeling. And it’s short, great for a beach read.”

You’ll love this if you liked Normal People by Sally Rooney

Maddy:

4. The Women by Kristin Hannah

“Such an inspiring and powerful story, with a raw history lesson woven in. I couldn’t put it down on my recent travels.”

You’ll love this if you liked The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Heather:

5. The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

A true story about resilience, wild landscapes, and walking the South West Coast Path (our local). Makes you want to get outside. Also, now a movie starring Gillian Anderson.

You’ll love this if you liked Wild by Cheryl Strayed

And a few more suggestions from friends:

6. The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

A moving family story set in Vietnam. Beautiful writing, really draws you in.

You’ll love this if you liked Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

7. 8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster by Mirinae Lee

Inventive, funny, full of life. One of those books that surprises you.

You’ll love this if you liked Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

8. How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang

Set in the American West, this one’s full of atmosphere and story.

You’ll love this if you liked The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt

9. Brick Lane by Monica Ali

A modern classic. Warm, funny, and full of life in East London.

You’ll love this if you liked White Teeth by Zadie Smith

10. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

One of those books you can’t stop thinking about. Beautiful and layered.

You’ll love this if you liked A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

11. Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer

Funny, moving, and clever. A really original story.

You’ll love this if you liked A History of Love by Nicole Krauss

And finally, what I am currently reading, and very much enjoying so far:

12. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

An epic family story, beautifully written. Big and absorbing, the kind of book you can properly get stuck into over the summer.

You’ll love this if you liked The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini