This summer has been an embarrassment of riches in terms of reading. We’ve already told you about the beach reads we can’t get enough of. And now we’re back with literary fiction and nonfiction great for cuddling up with this summer, wherever it may take you – whether it’s a staycation, a trip, or a stolen hour on your lunch break.
“Yellowface” by R.F. Kuang
When up-and-coming Chinese-American author Athena Liu suddenly dies, she leaves a manuscript behind. In the commotion following her death, Athena’s former classmate — a white woman named June — nabs it. After changing her name to something ethnically ambiguous, June publishes the book to great acclaim. But as her star rises, so does her anxiety about what she’s done. This is a smart and insightful look at racism and cultural appropriation tied up in a story you can’t miss.
“Sea Change” by Gina Chung
If you’ve ever been stuck in familiar patterns and felt yourself losing momentum, you’ll relate to this novel’s protagonist. When we meet Ro, she’s mourning a breakup, drifting away from her best friend, and letting childhood traumas lie. But as she prepares to say goodbye to Dolores — the giant octopus she takes care of at her aquarium job, who’s been sold to a wealthy investor — she goes through her own metamorphosis. Trust us: This unique, smart, emotionally rich book is a must-read.
“The Half Moon” by Mary Beth Keane
Skimm-favorite author of “Ask Again Yes” returns with another all-timer. This one follows a married couple over the course of one week (and two snowstorms). Malcolm, who owns a local bar, is struggling without his wife Jess, a lawyer, who has moved out. Through intricate storytelling, we learn about their failed attempts to conceive, the ways their lives have surprised them, and how they ended up where they are. This is a quick and impactful read that will stay with you long after you finish it.
“Pineapple Street” by Jenny Jackson
Brooklyn socialites, trust funds, and family secrets are at the center of this un-put-downable comedy. It follows the Stockton family, particularly two sisters and their sister-in-law. Darley, the oldest, has given up her inheritance and career for the sake of being an adoring wife and mother. Georginana, the baby, is living it up in her (extremely privileged) twenties. And Sasha, the sister-in-law, is struggling with where and how she fits into this elitist, closed off family dynamic — especially with a working class background. With chapters that alternate between their viewpoints, this grabs your attention and keeps it. Now the real question is…TV show please?
“Homebodies” by Tembe Denton-Hurst
When your work is your identity, and it goes away — what then? That’s one of the questions that propels this excellent debut novel. It follows Mickey, a Black beauty writer in NYC who’s let go from her buzzy, great-on-paper job…and then has to reckon with the way she was treated there, and what she really wants next. She flees the city (and the woman she loves) to try and figure it out. The book truly gets what it is to be young and confused in today’s world (worry about being iced out of the group chat included), and we devoured it.
“The Guest” by Emma Cline
The author of “The Girls” is back with her second novel — and it’s a doozy. It follows 22-year old Alex, who, a week before Labor Day, finds herself unceremoniously kicked out of the Hamptons house where she’s been staying with an older man. Rather than return to the city (where she no longer has a place to live), she drifts through the week on grift alone, attaching herself to various groups until she’s found out, then moving on to another. Alex is the perfect anti-hero, and this is a perfectly chilling, extremely addictive read.
“Romantic Comedy” by Curtis Sittenfeld
You’ve heard it before: Gorgeous female celebrity hosts iconic late-night sketch comedy show, starts dating non-famous male writer on said show. But what if, for once, the reverse happened? Enter: this delightful novel from one of our all-time favorite authors. It follows Sally, a sketch writer and self-declared regular-looking person, as she gets to know Noah, an objectively hot and famous musician. It’s thoughtful, smart, and just the right amount of seriously sweet. Prepare to fall in love.
