I have a few tools at my disposal when I’m feeling bored, tired or under-the-weather; things that make me feel better, things that metaphorically hold my hand. Eating my body weight in crinkle-cut crisps and watching Netflix are two commonly used methods, and so is reading.

I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. In fact, I probably fell in love with it the moment I learned how to read. These days, most of the things I read are related to the body and all of it’s wonderful functions. However, in the summer, I like to pick up something that isn’t size eight font, basically latin, or made up of ridiculous abbreviations.

Last week, I ended up in Waterstones (completely by accident, of course) and I picked up some reads for the summer, so I thought I would share them. Let me know what you think!

The Girls – Emma Cline (Vintage): The Girls is a coming-of-age novel about a teenage girl called Evie. After meeting three elusive girls in the park, Evie is essentially pulled into a crowd…but not a good one. Shrouded in mystery, this isn’t a typical story of youth misadventure, as years later, there are still secrets being kept about the summer of 1969.

This book is really interesting because it is written from Evie’s perspective, but at different points in time, so the reader can experience her perceptions as a child and an adult.

Vinegar Girl – Anne Tyler (Vintage): Vinegar Girl is about Kate, a young woman who is stuck in a rut, looking after her family and running their home. She is roped in by her eccentric, scientist father, to help him stop his star lab assistant being deported from the UK, and soon, she ends up more involved than she ever imagined.

Vinegar Girl has been praised for its light and humorous storyline, so I am extremely excited for this one. I think I will take it away with me!

The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood (Vintage): The Handmaid’s Tale is about a dystopian, enclosed republic where females are responsible solely for reproducing. Objection leads to arrest, public hanging, or banishment from the republic. The story is centred around Offred, a young girl living in the republic, who soon realises she can’t live like others.

The Handmaid’s Tale has recently been turned into a TV series, however I feel like I might read the book before I watch the series.

The Power – Naomi Alderman (Penguin): I suppose you could say that The Power is the exact opposite to The Handmaid’s Tale – women everywhere are suddenly finding that they have the power to control men – with a click of their fingers, they can inflict pain, and even death, on the males of world. On the face of it, the powers seem exhilarating and incredible, but it isn’t clear where it will end.

Truly Madly Guilty – Liane Moriarty (Penguin): Truly Madly Guilty is another signature piece by Liane Moriarty. It all begins with one evening and a barbecue, but from what I gather, it definitely doesn’t end there. As well as strained relationships, and the death of an innocent person, the story is packed with suspense and plenty of secrets.

If you’ve read The Husband’s Secret or in fact, any of her books, there is apparently a good chance you will enjoy this.

The Dry – Jane Harper (Abacus): The Dry is a murder mystery, set in a small, drought-stricken town in Australia. After a family are brutally murdered, everyone thinks it was a domestic murder-suicide. However, when policeman Aaron Falk returns to his childhood home for the funeral, he unwittingly begins to uncover what really happened to the family.

Death at Wolf’s Nick – Diane Janes (Mirror Books): Death at Wolf’s Nick is about a cold case – a murder that took place in rural Northumberland in 1981. The book reviews all the evidence and along with more information, pieces together the events of the tragic night.

This was an unusual buy for me – Death at Wolf’s Nick is a non-fiction book. I gravitated towards it because on that day, it just so happened that the author herself was doing a book signing and after speaking to her, I was interested to read about the case.

Also, while I’m here, a little shameless plug for Waterstones: I know many people tend to buy books online, but they really do have some great deals there. I bought all of the books above on offer, and new publishings are usually always on offer in the bookstore. Whilst I love internet shopping, I guess I just like supporting a bookshop and its environment rather than buying books from the web. Not to mention the fact that they have great customer service, and make some amazing recommendations if you’re stuck on what to pick up.

That’s it from me! I should be kept super busy with all these amazing reads.

Until next time,

Fatz x