No holiday packing list is complete without a good book.
Whether you’re jetting off abroad or soaking up the sun at home, there are plenty of new releases to liven up the summer.
From thrillers and memoirs to romcoms and murder mysteries, there’s something for everyone…
1. For the thrill-seekers… Judge Stone by James Patterson and Viola Davis
Hot on the heels of link-ups with Dolly Parton and former US president Bill Clinton, author James Patterson is back with his latest collaboration – and this time, he’s teamed up with Hollywood star Viola Davis.
Judge Stone is a page-turner of a legal thriller, set in a small Alabama town, where Judge Mary Stone presides over the courtroom. She finds herself in the middle of a national debate when she’s handed the most controversial case of her career – whether or not to prosecute a local doctor, who performed an abortion on a 13-year-old girl.
With simmering racial tensions and a hot button issue like abortion, Judge Stone’s town soon becomes a tinderbox – and everything she does is being watched by the rest of the country.
(Century, out now)
2. For the history buffs… Agrippa by Robert Harris
Anyone looking to jet off towards the end of the summer holidays could do worse than pick up a copy of Agrippa, the latest novel by Conclave author Robert Harris.
Harris breathes life into well-known characters from Roman history in Agrippa, set in the aftermath of Julius Caesar’s death. It follows the story of Caesar’s nephew, his heir Octavius – who went on to become the Emperor Augustus – and his friend, Agrippa.
It’s told from the perspective of Agrippa, who’s writing his memoirs at aged 50 – thinking back to meeting Caesar, fighting Mark Antony and Cleopatra, and above all: his relationship with the ruthless Octavius.
(Hutchinson Heinemann, August 27th)
3. For the romantics… International Relations by Zac Hammett
What is a summer reading list without a romcom? Zac Hammett’s latest book, International Relations, has all the romcom tropes we know and love, which makes it such a satisfying beach read.
It follows diplomat Max, who’s after an ambassadorial position in Athens – but is told his chances against rival Quentin would be much improved if he had a partner. So Max does what anyone in a romcom would do, and hires an actor, Hunter, to pretend to be his boyfriend – and you can probably guess what happens from there…
(Zaffre, out now)
4. For the crime enthusiasts… Thornbird by E Kennedy
College-set romcom Off-Campus, based on Elle Kennedy’s book series, has become a breakout show for Prime Video. Fans might be surprised to hear Kennedy is going down a completely new route for her latest YA release.
Writing as E Kennedy, the author is exploring the world of crime, thrillers and murder mysteries in Thornbird. The book’s protagonist, Ryan Shipley, is back in her small Tennessee hometown, 10 years after her serial killer father was sent to prison.
Old secrets start coming to the fore, with Ryan digging deeper and deeper into what’s actually going on in her town.
(Electric Monkey, July 2nd)
5. For the feel-good readers… Two Sisters by Laura Dockrill
Author Laura Dockrill is responsible for the most heartwarming edition to this summer reading list. As the title suggests, Two Sisters follows Leonie and Nora – two sisters who happen to be complete opposites.
Adventurous Leonie left their home of the Isle of Pitte, while Nora – who prefers home comforts – stays back. But when life catches up with Leonie, she’s forced to return to the Isle of Pitte, where she’s reunited with Nora – and while the two might be completely different, both are equally lost in life.
(HQ, out now)
6. For the mystery lovers… The Keeper by Tana French
Readers are in safe hands with any new release from Tana French. The Irish crime writer is back with her latest thriller, The Keeper, and it’s just as gripping as you’d expect from her.
It’s the third instalment in the Cal Hooper series, but can easily be read as a standalone novel. In a remote Irish village, local girl Rachel goes missing – and is found dead in a river. What follows is a pacy murder mystery, with retired Chicago detective Hooper on the hunt for the truth.
Nothing is straightforward in this case, particularly as Cal’s fiancee, Lena, doesn’t want him anywhere near the case – but they soon become embroiled in the drama.
(Viking, out now)
7. For the gossipers… Famesick by Lena Dunham
It’s hard to miss the hype around Girls star Lena Dunham’s new autobiography. It’s the actor and writer’s second memoir – following 2014’s Not That Kind Of Girl – and covers her journey with fame, from being catapulted to the world stage as a 25-year-old thanks to her TV show Girls, up until today.
A lot of the book covers her health issues, but there’s plenty of juicy tidbits about the famous people in her life – including her former partner, musician Jack Antonoff, and Girls co-stars Adam Driver and Jemima Kirke.
(Fourth Estate, out now)
8. For the debut buffs… Good People by Patmeena Sabit
Anyone who likes to sink their teeth into a buzzy debut should look no further than Good People by Patmeena Sabit.
Good People takes the idea of the American Dream and turns it on its head. The Sharafs arrive in America as Afghani refugees, and manage to build a life for themselves – living in an exclusive neighbourhood, and sending their children to top schools.
Everything is, on the surface, perfect. Until the eldest daughter, Zorah, dies in an unthinkable tragedy – and the whole family find themselves on trial in the court of public opinion. At it’s core, it’s a thriller and a mystery – with added layers exploring what it means to be a ‘good’ immigrant.
(Virago, out now)
9. For the film nerds… Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Yesteryear has been one of the breakout books of the year so far, so it’s well worth putting on your summer reading list to see what all the hype is about.
It follows ‘tradwife’ influencer Natalie, who lives a highly Instagrammable life on a ranch making sourdough bread and taking care of her children. But one day, she wakes up in the 1880s and the lifestyle she’s portrayed on social media suddenly becomes altogether too real – and she can’t quite work out what’s actually going on.
It’s a thrilling and darkly funny read, with Hollywood star Anne Hathaway set to produce and star in the film adaptation.
(Fourth Estate, out now)
