A mid-month reminder that as we stroll into summer, there is no better time to look for your next fantastic read. Outside in a tranquil spot, or by an open window, these are the days to kick back and get lost in the stories of others. But what to choose? Pop into our newly launched Summer Reading category, a lovingly hand-picked picnic of perfect summer books.
Have a look at the shelf below for some of our favourites, scroll down to see more or visit
the special category on the site to see them all.
Possibly the most coveted prize for UK first novelists,
The Desmond Elliott Prize was founded in 2007 to celebrate the best 1st novel by a new author and to support writers just starting what will be long and glittering careers. Ten years on it has succeeded in its mission in a manner that would make Elliott proud.
This year’s winner has just been announced and it is
Golden Hill by Francis Spufford. Chair of the judges Sam Leith, Literary Editor at the Spectator, described the novel as, “
miraculously constructed… at once so fabulously entertaining, so exquisitely wrought and so moving that it stands among not just the best first novels of the year, but the best novels of this or any year.”
Find out more.
Founded to honour the legacy of historical novelist Sir Walter Scott, this is the largest prize, outside London, to reward the best in historical fiction. The first winner was Hilary Mantel who remains an avid supporter of the Prize, describing it as ‘
much the best thing that has happened for fans of historical fiction‘.
The winner was announced on 17 June at the Borders Book Festival and was awarded to the big-hearted, beautiful and splendidly sweeping tale of war, survival and love in the American West,
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry.
Our gift to you! A chance to read extracts of excellent books before they’re published. You’re welcome!
| Don’t Close Your Eyes by Holly Seddon – A brilliantly conceived, jaw-dropping, incredibly realistic psychological thriller. From the author of Try Not to Breathe. |
 |
The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce – From the author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry comes a heartrending, gloriously life-affirming, ode to vinyl, love story. |
|
The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter – A dramatic, powerful, and so incredibly addictive, breathtaking whammy of a read, pure escapism at its best. |
 |
 |
 |
This is our no-brainer category for people looking for new authors with the talent to match their favourites. You tell us authors you like and we introduce you to others you’ll love.
Simple!
| If you Like Victoria Hislop or Rosie Thomas you’ll love The Invitation by Lucy Foley, a captivating story of dark secrets and forbidden love. |
|
If you like Erica James you’ll love The Forever House by Veronica Henry, a gorgeously affectionate, loving, and generous read. |
  |
  |
With a widely varied judging panel from the top of their professions, the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction is the most prestigious award to honour fiction written by a woman. Previous winners include: Zadie Smith, Lionel Shriver, Rose Tremain and Ali Smith.
This year’s gong went to
The Power by Naomi Alderman. Chair of the judges Tessa Ross said that while her judging panel debated the shortlist “
for many hours“, they “
kept returning to Naomi Alderman’s brilliantly imagined dystopia – her big ideas and her fantastic imagination.“
Mid-June Highlights
Take a moment to discover the top titles that may have passed you by this month. Books like:
Borne by Jeff VanderMeer – A dark, harrowing and weirdly uplifting future vision from the celebrated author of the creepily brilliant, post-apocalyptic
Southern Reach Trilogy.
The Floating Theatre by Martha Conway – Brimming with stunning writing and historical illuminations. Perfect for fans of
Gone with the Wind and Tracy Chevalier’s
The Last Runaway.
Mid-June ‘New Gen’ Highlights
Younger (or young at heart) readers take note of three cracking novels out this month:
| After the Fire by Will Hill – Inspired by the Waco siege in Texas in 1993. The tension rarely abates and we think it is one of the most gripping and suspenseful books you’ll read all year. |
|
A Small Free Kiss in the Dark by Glenda Millard – Be prepared to be moved, enthralled, heartbroken and inspired by this moving tale of hope and survival, set in a bleak, war-torn world. |
|
The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord – A moving story of a teenage girl coping when her world turns upside down. A thoughtful and well-written book that tugs at the heartstrings. |
|
The Scattering by Kimberly McCreight – The nail-bitingly tense sequel to the original and incredible The Outliers. ‘Action packed and gripping – I flew through the pages’ Amy, 15. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
For all you digi-book doyens out there, a perfect selection of terrific tales to take away whatever your taste. Here’s what’s up for download (or is it ‘down for upload’? – Ed) this month.
| The Girl Who Ran by Nikki Owen – The final book in the ‘Project Trilogy’ and it’s an absolute belter as the story surges to a fittingly dramatic conclusion. |
|
The River at Night by Erica Ferencik – Fast-paced, suspenseful and travels the gamut of life experiences as the narrative races towards a splendid climax. |
|
The Boy Who Saw by Simon Toyne – Hugely compelling and highly recommended. Second adventure for a Jack Reacher/Superman cross with shades of Jason Bourne called Solomon Creed. |
 |
 |
 |
Crime aficionado Maxim Jakubowski has been delving deep into the underworld of wonderful writing again this month to bring you the best books about for lovers of thrill, suspense and edge-of-your-seat reading. It’s a labour of love, he says.
This month his top tips take you on a whirlwind tour of the world from Bosnia to Mount Everest, without ever needing to leave your favourite chair! See the whole lot here, or check out the top two titles:
His Book of the Month is
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang by Mike Ripley – Witty, entertaining and meticulously researched exploration of British thrillers that will have you scouring the second-hand shelves for classics of a bygone era.
And Highly Recommended is
The Fourth Monkey by J. D. Barker – A humdinger of a serial killer thriller in sheer overdrive, it is a winner from the get go.
We take the views of our Consumer Reader Reviewers (many of them bloggers) very seriously and we’ve collected the books they loved the most into one handy section of superstars. Click
here for more.
| The Bureau of Second Chances by Sheena Kalayil – A wonderfully atmospheric picture of life in India ‘A gem of a novel! A delight to read!’ (Reader Review). |
|
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman – ‘I feel deeply privileged to have read such an exceedingly exceptional book….heart wrenching and yet light-hearted and funny.‘ (Reader Review). |
  |
 |
Author, journalist and theatre critic
Laura Barnett is a versatile and powerful writer whose understanding and deep affection for her characters practically drips off every page.
Versions of Us is a heartbreaking and beautiful love story about the ‘what if’ moments in our lives and
Greatest Hits, her brand new novel is ‘ … a lyrically soulful novel, full of warmth, passion … that rocked to the core of my heart.’ (Reader Review).
Find out more.
2017 marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death. Her novels continue to delight and there have been numerous TV and film adaptations of them (who can forget Colin Firth after the swim in the lake?). So, we have created
a special category where you will find some of her classic novels along with modern re-workings of them and also a selection of non-fiction titles that explore her life and work and the continuing fascination it exerts upon readers.
Discover more today.
Don’t forget to visit the site to see more Summer Reading Selections.
P.S. Find out more about a unique event,
REBUSFEST, in Edinburgh at the end of the month. And don’t miss the chance of winning some exclusive Rebus books and other exclusive book goodies in our
free prize draw category.
Comments (0)
Leave A Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.