I love reading contemporary books in the summer months, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a fun and easy read whilst sat outside soaking up the sunshine. So here are my top five contemporary recommendations for both adults and young adults to enjoy in the sun or as a holiday read.
The Flat Share, Beth O’Leary
This contemporary is all about two flat mates that live together, share a bed, but have never met! I loved this story for so many reasons, the setting of their flat was excellent and I love discovering more about it. The themes within the story, the romances, the friendships, the dramas, were all spot on and I loved them! This book may make you a bit emotional, it will definitely make you laugh and generally is the perfect summer read!
When Dimple Met Rishi, Sandhya Menon
I read this book a while back whilst in Canada, which may be why I associate it as a holiday read. It’s different to other YA contemporaries I’ve read. It follows Dimple and Rishi, two teens who both attend a summer programme, but whilst Rishi is there to meet Dimple as his future wife, Dimple has no idea! I loved the studious element to this book merged in with the relationships and dramas. If you’re looking for a cute YA romance with the usual array of complications and humours, this is the book for you.
The Little Paris Bookshop, Nina George
How could I not recommend this book… when I read it a couple of months back I adored it! It follows Perdu along his bookshop on a barge, floating across the waters of France. He runs this bookshop and recommends people the books he really thinks they need, not always the ones they want. One day though he decides to go on a journey to find his lost love and this book follows his story. I really loved this book, the style and setting was beautiful and I loved seeing Perdu’s story unfold.
The Poet X, Elizabeth Acevedo
This book blew me away, it’s not the type of YA contemporary I’d usually reach for but man, I really enjoyed it. Told in prose this follows Xiomara‘s life, her love of poetry, her culture, her attempt at being a normal teen and having a normal relationship. This is an incredibly fast read, so perfect for a summer’s day, but man does it have a lot to cover. This book talks about so many important topics and I implore you to read it if it sounds like your sort of thing.
The Library of Lost and Found, Phaedra Patrick
This book came onto my radar because I wanted books about books. This one follows Martha, a librarian and general do-gooder who often thinks about everyone else’s needs above her own. She ends up finding a book dedicated to her by her grandmother, dated after her grandmother died. Thus a mystery ensues of family and discovering the truth. This book isn’t a masterpiece of writing, but it’s fun with real characters that you’ll really care about.
I’d love to know which books you’d recommend for summer reads, let me know in the comments!
I read The Flatshare and I adore it 😍
I want to read When Dimple met Rishi and The Poet X
I don’t usually read much romance, but I absolutely adored The Flatshare! My tbr is already too long (the struggle of every reader, it seems), but The Little Paris Bookshop sounds right up my street, thanks for the recommendation! 😊
Great recommendations! I totally have to second When Dimple Met Rishi and The Poet X because they are fabulous reads! 🙂