What’s on my summer reading list

Katherine Witts

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As sunny days become the new norm, we can’t help but find ourselves wondering what to do. This is my list of the best reads for this summer, which are sure to fill the void.

When I was a bookseller last summer, I accumulated an intense to be read (TBR) list. Unfortunately, life is always so busy and hectic, it’s difficult to sit down and read many books, no matter how much you want to. But, one year later, summer has arrived again and I’m finally tackling my monster summer reading list. It’s time to start romanticising my life by reading a highly-anticipated book under the trees, on the beach, or by the poolside.

Beautiful World, Where Are You – Sally Rooney

Following the success with her former books, ‘Normal People’ and ‘Conversations With Friends’, Rooney published her third book in 2021. Like her other works, ‘Beautiful World’ explores the complex friendships of young adults. If you aren’t able to travel this summer, for whatever reason, this book transports you effortlessly to Dublin and Rome. Since I adore the tone of her previous literature, I am excited to see how it evolves in ‘Beautiful World’. Like its predecessors, ‘Beautiful World’ is another five-star read.

Love in the Time of Serial Killers – Alicia Thompson

“Turns out that reading nothing but true crime isn’t exactly conducive to modern dating—and one woman is going to have to learn how to give love a chance when she’s used to suspecting the worst.”

Similarly, if you’re looking for a light romance to read, Alicia Thompson has written the book for you. It packs in much-loved cliches and features a main character with a strange obsession, (as you might have guessed from the title). ‘Love in the Time of Serial Killers’ is a recent addition to my TBR, after seeing it flood my GoodReads feed. The tagline is brilliant, and I’m excited to see if Thompson’s writing lives up to its hype.

I’m Glad My Mom Died – Jennette McCurdy

Known for her roles in TV shows ‘iCarly’ and ‘Sam and Cat’, Jennette McCurdy played a huge role in my childhood. In the wake of her successful stand-up show of the same name, ‘I’m Glad My Mom Died’ explores McCurdy’s abusive upbringing and the dark truth behind the two famous children’s sitcoms. Predictably, McCurdy’s memoir contrasts its comedic tone with heartbreaking content, making it an easily digestible read. Her honest and revealing words expose the truth about the entertainment industry and the impact of growing up with an abusive mother.

Conversations On Love – Natasha Lunn

“How do we find love? How do we sustain it? And how do we survive when we lose it?”

Initially, I didn’t expect non-fiction to feature on my summer reading list, since I’ve only ever read literature. But, this summer, I want to jump feet-first into the genre! As a romance fan, where better to start than with books about love? Exploring the concept of love in all capacities, Natasha Lunn collects stories from a variety of writers on the subject. It features a star-studded cast, including Philippa Perry, Candice Carty-Williams, and Roxanne Gay, and makes for great summer reading.

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Featured image courtesy of Florencia Viadana on Unsplash . Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.