Top 5: Summer Reads

When this heatwave started, I assumed we were looking at four days of warm weather – a week max. Six weeks later, and with no drop of rain on the horizon (at least not here in London) maybe we can just call it summer? How novel.

One thing I have found is the warm, bright evenings mean that once the kiddies are in bed, I’m doing a lot more reading (plus a bit of re-reading) than normal. I find that there are certain types of books I’m drawn to in this weather; I want to relax with a funny, clever, engrossing read, but I don’t want to overthink anything. I just want easy yet brilliant books. So here they are. My Top 5 summer reads:

Th-Thrill Me: Her Name Was Rose by Claire Allan

A fab psychological thriller that I whizzed through in two evenings – it has a dose of Single White Female about it, while questioning the reality of what we see on people’s social media.

Make Me LOL: Why Mummy Swears by Gill Sims

I’ll admit, this was not one I might have normally gone for, but I was kindly sent it, and am so, so glad I was! From the first page, it made me laugh and I did not stop. Having children, I (worryingly?) related to it alot as it’s the diary of an an exasperated mum, but you’d enjoy it just as much if you don’t have kids – for its comedy value. Sample sentence: ‘Oh buggering bollocking arseholing twatbums.’ Well, she did warn you she swears.

Classic Agatha: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

You’ve got to have a bit of Agatha in the summer mix, right? There is nothing like a good old murder mystery to pass the sunny hours, and Agatha is queen of the genre for good reason. And Then There Were None is a perfect example of her genius. Read it. You won’t regret it.

Short and Sweet: The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

This is a novella I just keep coming back to. It imagines that the Queen develops a love of reading after a mobile library stops at the Palace. Her new found passion is frowned upon by many, but she is not going to let that stop her. This is a pitch perfect read about the joy of books, featuring one of the most public yet private women in the country.

A Touch of Reality: Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

I’ve recommended this book to ALL of my friends and now I’m recommending it to you. I actually first read this in cold, cold January, but plan on re-reading it soon with a G&T in the garden. It is journalist Dolly Alderton’s memoir that celebrates female friendships, boozy nights out and dubious decision making in your 20s.

Hope you find something here to enjoy in the sunshine, let me know if you’ve read any of them!