A summer holiday is the perfect time to catch up on some reading. So I’ve been asking some of my blogger friends for their recommendations.
This selection covers everything from dystopia and thrillers to mental health. There are a couple of books that I’ve added to my own Summer Reading List, and one that I’ve already read and loved.
In each case, I’ve linked to the Kindle version of the book because that’s the format I use most for travelling. Most of these are available in hard copy though, if you prefer a ‘real’ book to take on your hols.
So let’s get on with the recommendations!
Sian at Rebel Angel recommends Caraval by Stephanie Garber. She says “It’s more of an experience than a book – totally immersive and exciting all the way through. Caraval itself is a giant, unique and magical “performance” held once a year. The audience participate to win a grand prize, but nothing is real and you can’t trust anyone or anything. The reader is kept constantly guessing throughout, and the characters are also hugely relatable despite living in an entirely different world to our own”.
Rhian at Rhian Westbury has chosen Mad Girl by Bryony Gordon. Rhian says that “Mad Girl is when Bryony comes clean and talks about her mental health issues in such a stark way. The book was such an interesting read and it really goes to show that you can never judge a book by its cover. You never truly know what’s going on in other peoples’ minds”.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer is the choice of Kariss at Shy, Strange, Manic . It’s the story of a 9 year old boy whose father is killed in the 9/11 terror attack on New York. He sets out to solve the mystery of a key that he finds in his father’s closet. Kariss says “it’s a modern classic: beautiful, emotional and it takes you on a real journey!”.
Laura at Woman in Progress gives a thumbs up to Eleanor Olephant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. She says “it is wonderful, moving, funny and a perfect holiday read. This book kept me distracted on my first flight in 3 years. I have a fear of flying and boy did I need something good to stop me running up and down the aisle!”. High praise indeed!
Rachel at The Daisy Pages picked I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh. This book featured on my own Summer Reading List in 2015 and was one of my favourite books of 2015. Jenna Gray’s world falls apart after her child dies in a car accident, and the only way she can move on is to start afresh. She leaves everything behind, and walks to a new life. But the past always has a habit of catching up with you, and it soon catches up with Jenna.
A recommendation for lovers of the paranormal comes from May at Eat Cook Explore. She has chosen The Scribe by Elizabeth Hunter, and says “it’s a paranormal series that is very well crafted. With a host of believable characters and an engrossing storyline. Unputdownable!”.
Retro-loving blogger Bex over at RetroEnt recommends The Girls by Emma Cline. “It’s set in 1969 (so perfect for retro lovers) and starts off as a tale of friendship and finding your place in the world. However, it quickly takes a dark turn and becomes completely unputdownable! I started reading this on the plane on my way to Greece and had finished it by my second day of holiday”.
And finally, Lis at Last Year’s Girl says “I’ve just finished The Power, the Baileys Prize-winning book by Naomi Alderman. It’s a gripping dystopian novel about an alternative reality in which women develop the power to deliver electric shocks. This gradually leads to a society in which women are the dominant gender. Needless to say, it’s not as idyllic as it sounds…”. That’s another book that I’ve already added to my Kindle for the summer. You know I love a good dystopia on my summer holidays!