summer book recs
and we've got a buffet laid out for you
It's that time of year again when you wanna lounge in the backyard (or balcony) with a book, just soaking up the sun. Maybe even throw a book into your bag when heading out for the day just in case because you promised yourself you'd read more.
So if you're looking for the perfect book for sitting under trees at picnics, on sandy beaches or poolside, giving the main character energy at a cafe, or impressing your airport crushes - we've collected some book recommendations from some of our amazing friends, just for you.
From a 20-something Internet hot girl:
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly AldertonĀ
A memoir that explores Aldertonās experiences and insights on love, friendship, and growing up in her twenties.
Ā Easy and witty read. It reassures twenty-somethings like me who feel pressured to have everything figured out before our 30s, reminding us that everything happens in its own time and that getting older isnāt something to fear.
*Bonus* Ilze adds: Check out Aldertonās newest book Good Material: "I never read fiction, but this has gained a spot on my nightstand. Who knew a balding stand-up comedian going through a breakup can be so relatable?āFrom the Letterboxd addicted filmbro:Ā
Cinema Speculation by Quentin TarantinoĀ Ā
[Nonfiction, Memoir, Film, Criticism]
A captivating and insightful exploration of 1970s American films, blending film criticism, theory, and personal history. Quentin Tarantino's unique voice and deep love for cinema make this book a must-read for movie enthusiasts.
āIt feels almost like a conversation with Tarantino - like youāre sharing notes on movies that you didnāt watch, but now really want to.ā
From the whodunnit fan who just started reading again:Ā
No One Saw a Thing by Andrea Mara
[Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery]
Two children get on the train. Only one gets offā¦ Sive's life shatters when her 6-year-old daughter Faye goes missing on the London Underground.
āReally got me back into reading - and I keep wanting to talk about this book. So twisty.āĀ
From the dark horror fan who gets bored easily:
The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero
[Supernatural Fiction; Gothic Horror; Mystery; Epistolary Novel]
A. And Niamh inherit a haunted estate in Virginia, leading them into a labyrinth mystery involving suicides, secret gatherings, and hidden treasures; told through a variety of unconventional narrative formats. Content Warnings: Sexual Assault, Torture, Suicide, Adult/Minor Relationship
āDisclaimer - I love mixed media booksā¦ it isnāt for everyone and this book in particular can be quite fucked up in content too. But itās so so fun and keeps you engaged without being too gimmicky; youāll either love it or really really hate it.ā
From the creative with a penchant for feminist literature:
Eve by Cat Bohannon
[Nonfiction, Feminism, Anthropology]
An exploration of how the female body has driven human evolution over 200 million years, addressing questions about longevity, disease, academic performance, and menopause.
āIf youāre fascinated by women's history and their evolution in prehistory this is excellent for you. It really changed my world and perspectives on many things I hadnāt considered.āĀ
From Gymbro/ situationship final boss:
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia & Bill Gifford
[Health, Self-help, Nonfiction]
Ā Practical tips to boost your lifespan and well-being, backed up by science.
Been a fan of Attiaās podcast and this book changed how I think about diet and exercise. Bonus points for not making me fall asleep immediately.
From a gal who enjoys lit that's applicable to real life, but falls asleep at lengthy descriptions:
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss
[Nonfiction, Psychology, Self-Help]
A former international hostage negotiator for the FBI offers a field-tested approach to high-stakes negotiations- whether in the boardroom or at home.
Fun read full of real-life negotiation stories that materialize in day to day tips. I recommend testing the bookās insights on your roommates.
From the fantasy fan who craves more diversity in the genre:
The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin
[Urban Fantasy, Speculative Fiction]
Five New Yorkers must embody the city's boroughs to protect it from a sinister, otherworldly force threatening its existence.Ā
āThis book blends social commentary with a gripping narrative, showcasing imaginative storytelling and rich character development.ā
From the lover of mythology with a caffeine addiction:
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
[Fantasy, Romance, Mythology Retelling]
To save her brothers and the kingdom, Shiori must embrace her magic, trust unlikely allies, and uncover a dark conspiracy.
āThis is a book I would read over and over. I sobbed and the pages are tear stained and I love this book and everything about it. This duology is amazing.ā
From the anti-capitalist foodie with an allotment:
Eating to Extinction by Dan Saladino
[Nonfiction, Food Science, History]
Through global travels and compelling stories of those who sustain endangered foods, Saladino highlights the threats posed by food homogenization and offers a vision for a healthier, more diverse food system.
āFascinating, and perfect for people who like info dumps. It couldāve been shorter but honestly I like it just the way it is.āĀ
From the guy with shelves full of board games:
Edge of Here by Kelechi Okafor
[Short Stories, Speculative Fiction]
A world where technology allows people to explore alternate love lives, experience others' emotions through brain implants, and view ancestors' lives via DNA but not without consequencesā¦
āā¦blends magical realism with a deep exploration of cultural heritage and self-discovery. Theyāre right to advertise it as perfect for Black Mirror fans.ā
From PhD candidate who loves immersive world-building novels that help her forget about the world around:
Soviet Milk by Nora Ikstena
[Historical fiction]
The novel explores the impact of Soviet rule on a woman whose career as a doctor is thwarted by the state, leading to the loss of her identity and separation from her daughter, ultimately highlighting a multi-generational tale of love and resilience amidst political turmoil in the Baltics from 1969 to 1989.
This novel considers the effects of Soviet rule and patriarchy on individuals ā but it does much more than that: it shows us how political ideology everywhere becomes an embodied part of people's everyday life.
From the girl who has separation anxiety with her kindle:
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
[Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Romance]
Zetian seeks vengeance for her sister's death by becoming a feared concubine-pilot of a mecha, and challenges the misogynistic system sacrificing girls in Huaxia.Ā
āFor fans of Pacific Rim type movies, those who appreciate queer representation, and anyone interested in badass female character.ā
From āall over the placeā reader who stacks Nobel prize winners alongside smut titles:
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
[Fiction, Romance, Feminism]
A woman who works towards a chemist career in academia in the 50ās, finding herself in a societally transformative role for women with an interest in chemistry while hosting a cooking show on TV.
It tackles so many issues at once, like being a woman in academia and being a woman in a patriarchal world full stop. That transpires even to this day! It was funny, sad, moving, and relatable. By the way, the TV series of the same name is one of the few that actually does justice to the book.
From a book addict thatās tired of emails and wants to slay dragons:
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
[High Fantasy, Coming of Age, Contemporary Fantasy]
El navigates the perilous Scholomance, a magical school where survival is paramount and failure means death. Armed with a dark power that could defeat the school's monsters but also endanger everyone, El must uncover the school's secrets to graduate alive.
āI donāt think Iāve ever felt so understood by the psyche of a main character like this before - and maybe thatās why Iām not too likeable but hey, at least it seems to make for a good story.ā
From the person who stores books under their bed because thereās no space left
The Nutmeg's Curse by Amitav Ghosh
[Non-Fiction, Colonialism, Environmental Issues]
An examination of the historical impact of colonialism and its environmental consequences, using the Banda Islands as a focal point.
āThe book weaves together wonderfully history, ecology, and politics to reveal the profound effects of colonial exploitation on the natural world.ā
From a āwine and small platesā addict who reads five books at once:
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara
[Nonfiction, Business, Leadership]
From the co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, one of the world's top restaurants, an account of the power of exceptional hospitality and creating unforgettable experiences.
Picked the book up when I saw Richie in The Bear reading it. Juicy restaurant scene insights and timeless wisdom that can easily be translated to other industries and everyday life. Example ā "charitable assumption"āshowing extra kindness to people acting poorlyā rude clients, slacking employees, cranky roommatesābecause they might be the ones who need compassion and support the most right now.
The Online Bookshelves
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins is coming out in 2025! The Hunger Games franchise isnāt leaving us just yet with Collins exploring āuse of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrativeā with another prequel - this time about the Second Quarter Quell. Which is also going to be a movie, btw.
Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara: āIf you want to ruin their life, give them 'A Little Life,'ā said our favorite booktoker Taylor Rosen. Just type the book title on TikTok, and you'll find a flood of videos of people bawling their eyes out.
[Rosenās TikTok and Instagram]
Sally Rooneyās (Normal People, Conversation with Friends) new book Intermezzo is coming out in September. The novel will focus on two brothersāa lawyer and a competitive chess playerācoping with their father's death and complex romantic relationships. Sounds like a recipe for yet another binge-worthy TV adaptation.
Director SiĆ¢n Heder, known for her work on the movie CODA, has signed on to bring Gabrielle Zevin's polarizing novel, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, to the screen.
Gabriel Smith, author of the novel Brat, recently fooled the internet into thinking Charli XCX wanted to borrow the title for her new album, which coincidentally shares the same name. [The Guardian article about the stunt]. This eerie debut novel has been described by the author Jordan as if "Joan Didion and Shirley Jackson took Xanax and used the internet."
Book clubs are popping up like running clubs in cities everywhere, but if you want to keep things parasocial, every celeb has a book club these days. Word is, Dua Lipaās Service 95 is pretty decent.
Happy summer reading! āļø