Whether sprawling out on shimmering white sands or curled up under the Wisteria in some romantic garden or even just kicking back on our duvet with a glass of wine beside the bed, this summer we are saying yes to sheer escapism between the pages. You don’t need a beach to dive deep into a good beach read, here are all the books that may just actually be out to save our 2020 summer…
Girl, Woman, Other – Bernadine Evaristo
Joint winner of last years Booker Prize, if you haven’t gotten round to reading Bernadine Evaristo’s novel just yet, then make space in your beach bag. This life brimming read follows the stories of twelve women as they journey through life. Most of the women are black and British and all have unique tales to tell. Its funny, fresh, and laced with personality making it a highly enjoyable book to sink your teeth into.
The Perfect Mother – Aimee Molloy
Set to be launched as a movie starring the amazing Kerry Washington from Little Fire’s Everywhere and Scandal, it's worth tucking into this thriller before it hits the big screen. A tale of the May Mothers meeting group, this story deals with the relationship between women and what happens when one of their babies is abducted from its crib. Brimming with secrets, scandals, and lies, The Perfect Mother is an instant up all night summer read.
Dominicana – Angie Cruz
A fifteen-year-old girl named Ana marries a man twice her age and is taken to New York City from the Dominican countryside. After a lonely start to her new life, she suddenly starts to experience a different slant on the small joys of America, but back home Dominica is starting to slide into political disarray. Dominicana is a deft exploration of what it means to grow into yourself and how we find that line between duty and dreams.
The Vanishing Half – Britt Bennett
Set in the 1960s and following the tale of two sisters with diverging paths, this masterful novel is making everyone’s summer wish list and for all the right reasons. As identical twins, Steller and Desiree were inseparable but as they get older, Stellar decides to live as a white woman. Thought-provoking, rich with lyrical language, and completely unique, Britt Bennett has done it again. Rumors are, that HBO is picking this up for a limited series so be sure to get to the book first.
Olive – Emma Gannon
A debut novel from Emma Gannon that leans into the story of a woman in her thirties who finds herself at a crossroads. With friends settling down for marriage and babies, Olive has decided to take a different path. For those seeking a seemingly light and breezy read that tackles difficult questions and shines a light on those who decide motherhood isn’t the path for them, Olive is a breath of fresh air.
Pizza Girl – Jean Kyoung Frazier
Devour it like your favorite slice, Pizza Girl is sharp and funny and presses all the right buttons. A pregnant teen delivery girl strikes up an unlikely friendship with a stay at home mom who loves to endlessly order pickle coated pizzas. It’s a book that shines a light on flawed people (aren’t we all) trying to find their place in the world. Bold, spirited, and with endless edges, this a story that keeps you full of tender and messy emotions.
Which books are making your summer hit list? Share with us in the comments and let’s build a bounty of page-turners to keep up going until the fall.
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