It’s that time of year again, the weather is nice, and the days are getting longer. Whether you’re spending your summer on the beach, by the pool, camping, or road tripping, most people can agree that finding the perfect book to read is just as important as stocking up on sunblock and ice for your drinks.
Our staff at StuffAnswered have complied a list of top reads, here are the titles we’ll be reading this summer.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
With the successful television adaption of Margaret Atwood’s best-selling novel and the return of season two in late April, it come as no surprise that this paperback would be on many people’s summer reading list.
Published in 1985, the story depicts a dystopian future in which a woman’s only purpose in life is to bear the children of the elite class. Without getting too political, The Handmaid’s Tale may just be as relevant as it ever has and may just be the perfect book for someone who likes a heavier read. Plus, if haven’t watched the TV series yet, this book may get you hooked and will give you a new show to binge watch on rainy days.
Sunburn by Laura Lippman
What a fitting name for a summer read, New York Times bestselling author, Laura Lippman returns with a noir tale that tells the story of love, betrayal, and cold-blooded murder; the three-ingredients that are needed to make up a suspenseful and dark read.
Lippman’s novel follows the story of protagonist, Polly Costello who up and leaves her husband while on a family beach vacation. Lippman’s plot leaves readers hooked as they try to figure out Costello’s actions and it gets even more interesting when Costello meets another man. The Wall Street Journal has named this book as on the “most anticipated books of 2018.” If you’re looking for a book to get you out of the sun for a bit, look no further.
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
I mean who would not want to put a Pulitzer Prize Winner on their summer reading list; this year’s winner for fiction is Less by Andrew Sean Greer. The novel follows the story of 50-year-old Arthur Less, a failed novelist who decides to travel around the world in order to help him run away from his problems (relatable, right?).
If you’re looking for a novel that is going to make you laugh, cry, and forgot your problems, you’re definitely going to want to add this one to your list.
The Pisces by Melissa Broder
If you were a fan of the recent Oscar-winning film, The Shape of Water directed by Guillermo del Toro then Melissa Broder’s The Pisces may just be your summer book. The novel has a similar plotline where it follows the love story between a woman and a sea creature. Stephanie Danler, author of Sweetbitter, has describes Broder’s novel as bold, virtuosic, addictive, and erotic. Broader does a great job at masterfully intermixing realism with fantasy and every page has been crafted to evoke a range of emotions that will not make you want to put the book down.
Back Talk by Danielle Lazarin
If your summer is already filled up with travel plans, etc., but you’re still looking to do some reading then Danielle Lazarin’s debut collection of short stories, Back Talk, is a perfect read for you. Lazarin’s brilliant and bold style of writing dives into the lives of women, touching on love, desire, and loss. Carmen Maria Machado with The New York Times said the short stories are “beautifully crafted” and describes the sentences in these stories as “living and seamless.” If you’re looking for bold stories that pack a powerful punch, then this collection has you covered.
When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger
If you’re looking to read something that is a little more wittier and fun, then The New York Times bestselling author Lauren Weisberger’s new book, When Life Gives You Lululemons is one to look out for.
If you were a fan of the movie, The Devil Wears Prada, then you will sure enjoy the storyline of this book. If you remember, in the movie, Emily (Em) Charlton (played by Emily Blunt) was the assistant of a top dog in the fashion world, Miranda Priestly (played by Meryl Streep). This novel will follow the life of a character, similar to Emily Charlton, and some say Weisberger’s book is giving “Em the sequel she deserves.” Considering the book is set to release in early June, there’s no reason not to put it on your summer reading list.