We’re into the summer months now, the days where the sun beats down on us and fills each room with light. I absolutely love the summer, the hot weather makes me very happy indeed, for me it’s the perfect reading weather. So here are some of the books that have already swept me away over the last few months.
All Our Hidden Gifts, Caroline O’Donoghue
• Brilliant witchy, so witchy that it would probably be perfect for autumn, but circumstance brought it to me in May and I loved it!
• Has a really lovely array of characters, also some not so lovely ones in the form of LGBTQIA+ hate groups, but this demonstrates how these characters overcome such horrible hurdles.
• I LOVE the magic shop mentioned in this book, I wanted to go directly there and shop about.
Mina and the Undead, Amy McCaw
• Vampires, spooky setting, murders… why is this one in my summer recs again?! Because once again I happened to read it in May and LOVED it (and yes, I’m including May in the summer because it was hot in May).
• Perfect for fans of 90’s pop culture, nice to read a book without mobile phones being involved, felt very refreshing.
• Just really enjoyed the journey the characters went through, such a fun book!
Bookishly Ever After, Lucy Powrie
• Alright this one is actually much more summery, mainly because it’s a contemporary and in my brain, contemporary books belong in the summer!
• Third in a series about a group of teens with their book club the Paper and Hearts Society. This book follows Ed, who is working in a bookshop that I would very much like to visit.
• I always love how Lucy makes these characters so real and relatable for other teens, they’re not acting too old or doing things you think really??! They feel perfect!
Felix Ever After, Kacen Callender
• First off, the cover of this one screams summer with all the orange and yellow tones running through it, then on top of that, this is such a good contemporary.
• This book is all about Felix finding out who they are and going on that journey of self-discovery which I absolutely loved
• This also felt like a book about friendships and the love there too, which is always super lovely to read about.
The Decagon House Murders, Yukito Ayatsuji
• You know what the summer needs?! An Agatha Christie inspired murder mystery… queue this book walking right in!
• This is a Japanese cult murder mystery book apparently, inspired by And Then There Were None, it’s an isolated island murder mystery for the reader to join in on guessing just who done it.
• Who doesn’t want to read about being on an isolated island in the summer?!
Once Upon a Broken Heart, Stephanie Garber
• Okay first off if someone has told you you can read this before reading the Caraval series, then that’s only half true. This is a spin-off book and whilst it would essentially make sense outside of the Caraval trilogy, it would spoil the ending of those books for you.
• Now that’s out the way. This book is so bloody good! Total escapism and a piece of fiction where it felt anything could happen. Stephanie Garber always does this so well.
• Main characters get all the points, an amazing bunch of them and I can’t wait to see more from them all!
Wicked Fox, Kat Cho
• Reading this had an anime playing out in my head, everything felt so visual and beautiful.
• If you want a book that will make you summertime hungry then this one will 100% tick that box. The food, the smells, I literally want to jump into this world.
• Whilst the romance felt a little cliche at times, it was still really good fun and kept be interested and invested.
The Wood Bee Queen, Edward Cox
• This is for sure a book to suit fans of Strange the Dreamer, it has the whole ‘normal’ world crossed with fantasy world trope in which our main character studied the fantasy world as mythology and then found out it really existed when he was transported right into it.
• An unlikely pairing of heroes that just seemed to work perfectly.
• I love the way the houses work in this book, all being named after delicate and beautiful creatures.
A Sky Painted Gold, Laura Wood
• The main message I get from this book is to live in the moment and enjoy each day as you live it, which is a lovely message to bring out.
• Set in the heat of summer in the 20’s, this book is parties, friends, family and romance and I love it!
• Laura Wood has such a lovely way of describing things, her books always read like they could be classics, but far less daunting.
Honey Girl, Morgan Rogers
• Beautifully lyrical writing that works perfectly with the themes of the story.
• Talks openly about mental health and shows the struggles of not taking a break and not knowing what you want to do with your life after studying.
• Really lovely and supportive group of friends who I really wanted to get to know.
I hadn’t heard of the Caraval series before tonight, and this is the second time I’ve seen it mention in about three posts, so definitely one I’ll have to check out. I haven’t come across most of these books – thanks for the recommendations!
I love Laura Wood! I only discovered her when Book Box Club included Under a Dancing Star in one of their boxes. I also only tend to read contemporaries in the summer!
In Laura Wood’s enchanting novel, “A Sky Painted Gold,” readers are transported to the idyllic world of Cornwall in the 1920s. The story revolves around the protagonist, Lou, a young girl yearning for adventure and excitement beyond the boundaries of her small coastal town. When a glamorous group of wealthy siblings, the Cardew family, comes to stay at a nearby mansion, Lou’s life takes an unexpected turn. Drawn into their world of extravagant parties, dazzling dresses, and romantic escapades, Lou discovers that beneath the glitz and glamour lies a complex web of secrets and hidden desires. Wood’s vivid descriptions bring the picturesque setting to life, making readers feel as if they are walking along the sandy beaches and breathing in the salty sea air. The narrative is rich in historical detail, capturing the spirit of the Jazz Age and providing a glimpse into the social dynamics and class divisions of the era. With its lush prose, captivating characters, and a touch of mystery, “A Sky Painted Gold” is a delightful and immersive read that will transport readers to a time of dreams and endless possibilities.