Summer. The season in which all the best memories are made. Our Summer Reading section will give you great reads that stay with you well into next year at least! Whatever your mood, we’ve got the tools to help you choose the perfect book for the beach, bus, bar, departure lounge, sun-lounger or favourite window seat. Together with our mobile friendly ‘Awesome Author Recommender‘ you’re guaranteed a treat in a couple of clicks. Now, who’s making the Pimms? Read on for more…

July Noted - Books of the Month

Your vacation is our vocation. Book-wise that is. July’s bookshelf is teeming with perfect summer reads, whatever your taste. We particularly love Only We Know by Karen Perry – Captivating, compelling and extraordinary story about the power of childhood secrets.

Quenching your First! - Debuts of the Month

First time authors jostle for your admiration this month and it’s a pretty superlative bunch. Click here to discover what could become a new favourite author! Gone Girl meets Fatal Attraction in Caroline Kepnes’ You, a chilling account of the twisted psychology behind unrelenting passion. Also, if you’re a fan of the novels by Liane Moriarty or JoJo Moyes then You, Me and Other People by Fionnuala Kearney is definitely your tipple.

Fall back in love with Mia from The Princess Diaries

 … with her new novel for grown ups Meg Cabot has revisited The Princess Diaries, her massive bestselling teen series of the last 15 years, with a novel specifically written for the old-timers to revel in – you’re in your 20s now!! It features Princess Mia’s very own Royal Wedding. It’s glamour personified and utterly addictive.

A Flight of Fantasy – Maxim’s July selections

There is a sizeable spoonful of the surreal, snaking through this mid-summer selection from Maxim Jakubowski. Science fiction and fantasy abound, for those who like to fly on the wings of wonder and boldly go into brave new (mind-bending) worlds. Book of the Month is: Radiant State by Peter Higgins – Powerful, magical, angelic, demonic, moving and breathless conclusion to the Wolfhound Century trilogy. … and also Highly Recommended is: Gorsky by Vesna Goldsworthy – Twisting tragedy of tainted love and polar opposites, in a world where money and greed are king.

Parallel Life – Round the World to Where You Started

The 60^th Parallel marks the borderline between the South and the North. A cold forbidding and beautiful circle dissecting Finland, Norway, Sweden, Alaska, Canada and, well, Shetland. That’s where Malachy Tallack lives. That’s where he set out from. He walked the entire 60th parallel until he got back to where he started. Join him, on a beautiful and thought-provoking journey of self-discovery and an exploration of the meaning of ‘home’. This is armchair travel writing at its best.

Get in the Mood for Summer

Even a goldfish can dream of adventure...

From his enviable view from a balcony on the 27th floor of an apartment block, Ian the Goldfish has frequent – if fleeting – desires for a more exciting life. Until one day, a series of unfortunate events gives him an opportunity to escape… Fishbowl by Bradley Somer is a truly original, philosophically joyful and charming novel with the unlikeliest of heroes that we think will be one of this year’s must read novels. Read an exclusive and extended extract here now… the book is published 6 August 2015.

Two to watch out for later in July

We wanted to share news of two books we have just finished reading that will be published at the end of July. Daughter of the House by Rosie Thomas – A heartfelt, lovely, interesting family story set between 1910 and 1931. Reader Reviewer Barbara Goldie said ‘Smell the greasepaint of the theatre, shiver at the chill of spiritualism, share the secrets of illicit affairs. A great read!’ Also Freedom’s Child by Jax Miller – An intensely powerful thriller that starts, continues and finishes with provocative words and action. Reader Reviewer Gavin Dimmock said ‘What a pulsating, driving rush this book is. It is a superbly crafted novel and thoroughly mesmerising’ Read an Opening Extract of them both today. Read on for hand-picked selections in the categories you have told us you like to be kept up to date with. Click here to update them.