Summer Reading

Summer Page-Turners

There’s nothing better – well, not in my opinion, than setting aside some quality time to read. The summer is perfect for this – long days, and if you’re a student, no alarm clocks, no homework. It’s even better if the weather is kind and you can get lost in a book in the great outdoors – on the beach, in a wood, even in your garden, tucked away in a secret corner. Here are some of my summer recommendations:

Meg Rosoff

Meg Rosoff writes brilliant fiction particularly aimed at YA (Young Adults). If you haven’t indulged in any of her books before, you could start with How I Live Now about an American teenager who is sent to England to live with her cousins – all in the shadow of a huge world conflict. The Great Godden is a story about the Goddens, a family for whom one summer changes their lives significantly. More recent is Friends Like These, set in New York City. One thing that Rosoff’s books have in common is their summer setting – so even if it’s raining outside and you are huddled up with a blanket, her stories will take you to places where the sun is shining, although that doesn’t mean it will be all plain-sailing.

e. lockhart

Emily Lockhart stands out by choosing to use lower-case letters for her name – but you’d better not do the same if you want to keep your English teacher happy! TikTok sensation We Were Liars is a captivating story about a family and their secrets, all set on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. Its prequel, Family of Liars, builds on this intrigue – and seemingly, Lockhart likes the word ‘liars’ in her book titles, so let’s see what she comes up with next! If you enjoy family sagas, Emily Lockhart is your woman.

Kevin Brooks

If you fancy something with more grit, Brooks’ Black Rabbit Summer might be right up your street. This is a gripping story about what happens at a summer carnival – and the group of friends who are involved with the disappearance of a girl. Kevin Brooks has written many YA novels, one of which is called Martyn Pig – which may not be for the faint-hearted but is a great story nevertheless.

So, what will your next summer read be? There’s something particularly delicious about getting stuck into a book when the days are long and the sun is bright. But even if the British weather disappoints and you end up sheltered under an umbrella sipping hot chocolate, you will always have a great book to enjoy.