The Handbook Team’s Summer Reading List
Whether you’re looking for escapism or inspiration, reading poolside or in your local park, summer is the time to make up for lost reading time. We’ve asked The Handbook team about the books they’ve read and are excited to read and re-read this summer. From romance novels and beach reads to all-time classics, here’s what’s on our summer reading list.
I Want You To Be Happy by Jem Calder
“I have just come back from my summer holiday, and I Want You To Be Happy was my choice of poolside read. After learning it has been affectionately dubbed the new Normal People, and seeing all the hype online, I was pretty sold.”
“The plot begins with Joey and Chuck meeting in a nightclub, and then tracks the relationship that follows. Far from your typical romance read, this book manages to simultaneously be bitterly depressing, at times hilarious, and, occasionally, tender enough to make you a little wistful for your own situationship.” – Amelia, Culture and Lifestyle Writer & Creator
I Want You To Be Happy is also the chosen text for this month’s instalment of our book club, and you can read our full review here.
People In Love by Claire Daverly
“I have People In Love by Claire Daverley packed and ready to take on my US road trip. Daverley’s debut novel Talking At Night was a thing of beauty, a love story that kept me turning the pages into the small hours and stayed with me long after I finished it.”
“And already I have heard great things about this second book. Another story of long-lasting love and heartache in the most poetic of words. I’m ready to fall right in.” – Ashling, Contributing Style & Interiors Editor.
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
“The Island of Missing Trees is one of those books that stays with you, and you just can’t put down.”
“I still think about the characters now! It’s so beautifully written, and I love how it merges love, nature and war to tell such a gorgeous story. I can’t wait to read all her books. Next on my list has to be the sequel, There Are Rivers in the Sky.” – Maddie Russell, Campaign Success Executive
A Sicilian Affair by Susan Lewis
“I’m a huge reader of crime and murder mystery novels, and this one is set against the beautiful backdrop of Sicily, making it the perfect summer read.”
“It blends romance, adventure and escapism with plenty of twists and turns. Sounds like the perfect page-turner by the pool.” – Sophia, Digital Content Creator
It blends romance, adventure and escapism with plenty of twists and turns. Sounds like the perfect page-turner by the pool.
I Will Find You by Harlan Coben
“I’m obsessed with Harlan Coben at the moment and have been devouring his back catalogue – I love a thriller/mystery and his stories always drop a series of mega twists, making them super easy reads.”
“The latest screen adaptation is my current buy and coming with me on my trip to Gibraltar this month.” – Robyn, Managing Director
To find out more on the latest screen adaptation of Coben’s work, click here for the full breakdown.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
“This summer, it feels like everyone’s rediscovering the classics, and I’m completely here for it. I’m almost at the end of East of Eden and already wish I could read it again for the first time.”
“Spanning generations, East of Eden is beautifully written, exploring family, love, morality and the choices that shape our lives. There’s so much happening that the 600+ pages fly by, and somehow it still doesn’t feel long enough. It’s the perfect book to get lost in on a day in the park.”
“Plus, with the Netflix miniseries coming later this year, there’s still plenty of time to read it before everyone starts talking about it.” – Caitlin, Senior Campaign Success Manager
The Heir Apparent
“If you want an easy, sugary read that you can sink your teeth into, The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage is it. When I’m on holiday, I want fun, easy escapism – no thrillers or biographies here – and, while you can probably gauge that much from the cover, it delivers on all of the above.”
“What I really like is that it actually manages to avoid feeling cheesy or cliché, something that can often lose me in this genre.” – Natasha, Digital Editor
