Finding good books is quite the undertaking, but we sure as hell don’t have to tell you that it’s a worthwhile exercise. Like, we’ve all found ourselves offensively lost in a story before – something that’s caused us to neglect our mates, chuck several sickies, and generally allow our lives to fall into a chaotic state. But hey, when you stumble across a page turner, you gotta do what you gotta do right?
Thankfully, there are periods dotted throughout the year that allow for us to get sucked into an incredible read and not have our existences go up in flames. Yep, Christmas is just around the corner folks, and there ain’t a better time to demolish a book or twenty.
So on that note, here are a few good books to get around poolside during your hard-earned break.
‘HOME FIRE‘ BY KAMILA SHAMSIE
If you ain’t familiar with Kamila Shamsie, then we highly recommend getting up to speed ASAP – she’s got the whole mastery of storytelling thing down pat, which is confirmed in her new novel Home Fire. A gripping read that tells the story of two families whose lives are torn apart when love, religion and politics collide. Think Romeo and Juliet meets Homeland.
‘SOUR HEART‘ BY JENNY ZHANG
Jenny Zhang’s Sour Heart even has the likes of Lena Dunham singing its praises. “I was stunned, moved and – quite frankly – a little jealous,” she says – and hey, we’re on the same page. This collection of stories dives right into the chaotic hearts of young women coming of age in New York City.
‘ALIAS GRACE‘ BY MARGARET ATWOOD
Now a huge hit on Netflix, Alias Grace (Margaret Atwood) is one of those books you need to read before you die. This sexy, feminist novel tells the story of Grace Marks, a domestic servant who may or may not have committed an awful murder. Recently rereleased in a beautiful hardback edition, it is the perfect Christmas present for the true crime lover in your life.
‘LINCOLN IN THE BARDO‘ BY GEORGE SAUNDERS
George Saunders delivered an award-winning first novel with Lincoln In The Bardo – a beautiful, tragic story about a grieving Abraham Lincoln visiting his son’s grave on the eve of the Civil War.
‘DEMI GODS‘ BY ELIZA ROBERTSON
Eliza Robertson, a prizewinning and captivating new voice in fiction, has created a bold debut novel that you won’t be able to put down. Tackling the dualities we all have within ourselves, Demi-Gods explores how we rise to, but also subvert, the male gaze.
‘SING, UNBURIED, SING‘ BY JESMYN WARD
National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward has written a v intimate portrait of a family and a powerful story of hope/struggle in her new book Sing, Unburied, Sing. Exploring Mississippi’s dark past and present, author of Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng, describes it as “A searing, urgent read. It’s hard to imagine a more necessary book for this era”.
‘THE NINTH HOUR‘ BY ALICE MCDERMOTT
If you loved the film Brooklyn, this book is for you. Included in TIME Magazine’s Top 10 books of the year, this multi-generational family saga is a sure-fire hit.
‘FOREST DARK‘ BY NICOLE KRAUSS
Nicole Krauss, the woman who thankfully produced the heavy hitters The History of Love and Great House is back – and her fourth novel, Forest Dark, packs just as big of a punch. Set in NYC before transitioning to Tel Aviv, the story explores the deterioration of a novelist and mother’s marriage in an incredibly engaging way.
‘THE SILENT COMPANIONS‘ BY LAURA PURCELL
If you’re game for a creepily chilling story, then Laura Purcell’s The Silent Companions needs to be added to your hit list ASAP. Newly married AND newly widowed Elsie is sent off to her late hubby’s crumbling country estate, The Bridge, to wait out her pregnancy. With not many folks on her side, Elsie only has her husband’s hella awks cousin to lean on. ~Or so she thinks~.
‘A GUINEA PIG ROMEO & JULIET‘ BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, TESS NEWALL AND ALEX GOODWIN
How does one put a new spin on an undeniable classic? They retell it with Guinea Pigs, of course. Yep, Tess Newall and Alex Goodwin have revamped Shakespeare’s iconic Romeo & Juliet with the cuteness of these little creatures – and we’re so bloody here for it.
Any of the above books tickle your fancy? You can grab yourself a copy from Bloomsbury by heading HERE.
