Top 5 Books to Read this Summer

Welcome back for another post! There are lots of books I’d like to read this summer, and now that University is over I feel I finally have the time to knuckle down and get some reading done.

Whether you’re looking for a book that screams beach-read, or a more thought-provoking read to keep you busy during the summer months, this list offers 5 book suggestions to read this summer!

‘The Testaments’ by Margaret Atwood

Book cover of 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood
Picture credits here

‘The Testaments’ by Margaret Atwood was one of my favourite reads last year, and I enjoyed it a lot. I would recommend reading it this summer, as it’s captivating, inspiring, and gripping. I would love to re-read this one over summer, as it’s such an engaging read.

If you want to read something thought-provoking this summer, definitely pick up this award-winning read. You could also read Atwood’s first novel in the series, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale‘. I find both of these books incredibly empowering, and I would really recommend them for this summer.

‘Girl, Woman, Other’ by Bernardine Evaristo

Book cover of 'Girl, Woman, Other' by Bernardine Evaristo
Picture credits here

This book has been on everyone’s reading list since it won the Booker Prize in 2019, and it’s been on my list for a while. Following the lives of 12 different people living in the UK, I’m excited to read the portrayal of various characters as they follow different paths in life.

I think I’ll definitely be purchasing a copy of this book soon, and it’s set up to be an engaging summer read.

‘A Moveable Feast’ by Ernest Hemingway

Book cover of 'A Moveable Feast' by Ernest Hemingway
Picture credits here

I read this book last summer and- in true Hemingway style– it’s a very descriptive portrayal of his travels around Europe. The descriptions of his time in places such as Paris were so evocative and detailed, and I felt transported to the glamorous cities he was describing.

I think this would make a great summer read because of its beautiful description, and if you can’t get out of your home country this summer, at least you can read about someone else’s exciting travels.

‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama

Book cover of 'Becoming' by Michelle Obama
Picture credits here

‘Becoming‘ is another title which seems to be on everyone’s list at the moment. An auto-biography of Michelle’s life- both her role as First Lady and her life before and after.

I’ve started watching the Netflix documentary based on this book and Michelle’s ‘Becoming’ tour, and I’m really enjoying it- and so this summer I’d love to pick up the book.

‘The Help’ by Kathryn Stockett

'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett
Picture credits here

I really want to read this book, and I’ve been meaning to read it for a long time!

I’ve watched the film version of ‘The Help’ but I’ve still not read the book- and that is something I would like to change this summer! It’s such an important read, and as a history student I love gaining an even deeper understanding of the race relations at play during the 1960s.

What do you think of my top books to read this summer? Do you enjoy summer reads? What’s your favourite thing to read during the summer months?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

Happy reading x

Picture credits here

75 thoughts

  3. I’ve read each of these apart from the Hemingway one, and actually I have somehow never read him before so maybe this is the summer to do so! I was a huge fan of The Testaments too, and Margaret Atwood in general.

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  8. I have heard so many great things about The Testaments! I actually JUST finished reading Handmaid’s Tale and would love to dive into another great Margaret Atwood book!

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  11. I love Margaret Atwood. I have not read The Testaments yet. I’ll have to add it and the others to my must-read list. Thanks for the recommendations.

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  12. These are some great recommendations. I’ve been being to read The Help for so long. I’ve also heard so many great things about Becoming that I feel I’m missing out because I’m yet to read it.

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  15. Girl Woman Other was not quite what I expected but it was very good! I liked all the different stories, although the trouble with books written about so many different characters is that some are more interesting than others. But it’s also nice to see the diversity of experiences and viewpoints across the stories.

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    1. Yes that’s true, it’s a common error some authors make when they introduce too many plot lines! I’m glad it was good in the end thought, I can’t wait to check it out 🙂

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  18. I have seen the handmaids tale so I definitely agree on The Testament, the book cover looks great. I would love to read such a book. Thanks for your recommendations

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  22. I’ve read The Help and LOVED it! Michelle Obama’s book has been on my want to read list for a while. I’ve heard of The Testaments but the others are new to me. Thanks for sharing!

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  23. Becoming is on my TBR list too. I loved the Netflix documentary! I didn’t like The Testaments but loved The Handmaid’s Tale. So far I’m enjoying Girl, Woman, Other. Roxanne Gay wrote an excellent essay critiquing The Help in her book Bad Feminism (which I’d highly recommend). I agree with her response. The portrayal of black people in the novel (& film) was problematic…

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  26. These are actually really good recommendations, will definitely put all of it on my reading list. I have been meaning to read Michelle’s “Becoming”. Also, this may sound ignorant of me but I didn’t know “The Help” was based on a novel. I will definitely want to read that as I have loved the film. Thank you for this😊

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  27. I haven’t read any of these yet but will be sure to check them out in the foreseeable future they sound like great reads x

    FATIMAH • ROSEYGOLDBOX

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