By C. J. De Mel, Jadetimes News
Whether you are sitting by the beach, preparing for a long-haul flight, or simply rejoicing in the peacefulness of a park, summer is really an ideal season to dive into an engrossing novel. With the extra time that summer normally affords, now is the best opportunity to take down that ever-growing TBR pile and get into some of this year's most buzzed-about new literary releases.
It doesn't have to be set in a sun-soaked setting, though that certainly has its own appeal. What such a summer read needs is the ability to transport you to another world, to hold your attention so completely that you forget everything else. From much-anticipated sequels and exciting debuts to potential award-winners, here are 12 recent publications that promise to be the perfect companions for your late-summer getaway.
1. All Fours by Miranda July
The second novel from Miranda July is already a word-of-mouth sensation. A midlife coming-of-age story about a semi-famous artist, much like July herself, gets on the road solo after the surprise windfall of an inheritance; her trip has a few turns, leading her into a small-town motel and ruminations on aging, desire, marriage, friendship, motherhood, and creation. Called "the first great perimenopause novel" by The New York Times, this is one that you'll be passing on to friends.
2. Long Island by Colm Tóibín
Although Colm Tóibín isn't really interested in writing sequels, somehow, he just couldn't help writing a companion volume to his much-loved 2009 novel Brooklyn. Two decades have passed since the events of Brooklyn, and Eilis Lacey is once again central to our lives in Long Island, now known as Eilis Fiorello. A few knocks on the door soon disrupt life and turn Eilis back to her Irish hometown for the first time since the sudden departure years earlier. It was such skilfulness on the part of Tóibín in character development and richness in storytelling that made this a sequel worth reading.
3. The Hypocrite by Jo Hamya
The Hypocrite is set, for the most part, in a London theater where a father watches over his daughter's debut play with its Mediterranean covering. Flashbacks take one to a summer of great change in Sicily that served as inspiration for the play. Hamya works through thorny issues—parental relationships, generational divides, the ethics of art—all in 230 pages, and with some sharp humor.
4. Banal Nightmare by Halle Butler
The latest novel from Halle Butler, a razor-sharp sendup on the millennial midlife crisis: after getting dumped, 30-something Moddie goes to her hometown to rethink everything in life. Back in her hometown of Philadelphia, Moddie reunites with old friends who are struggling as much as she is; Butler gives it a dark sense of humor on middle age. Zadie Smith is one of the many fans of the book because of its wit and intelligence—it's an excellent way to round off your summer by the beach, hands down.
5. Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Coming after the huge success of Fleishman Is in Trouble, Taffy Brodesser-Akner now releases Long Island Compromise, vaguely based on the real-life kidnapping of one billionaire businessman. Less of a crime story, more of an exploration of generational trauma within a Jewish-American family, it's informed by all of the great insight Brodesser-Akner has into human relationships and what makes them work and break apart. All these reasons make this a must-read.
6. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
This is a time-travel romance set in a near-future London, with a civil servant cohabiting with a Victorian polar explorer due to a secret government program. Kaliane Bradley's debut novel is a very nice read, an entertaining page-turner that digs deep into major themes like climate change, colonialism, and immigration. With TV rights already secured, now is the time to read it before it hits the screen.
7. You Are Here by David Nicholls
For those who prefer their summer adventures to involve long walks through the countryside, David Nicholls' latest novel is a perfect pick. You Are Here follows Marnie and Michael, two middle-aged strangers who embark on a grueling hike across northern England. As they wrestle with marriages gone wrong and unexpected loneliness, Nicholls has a way of writing characters that will have you cheering for them to find happiness—both on and off the trail.
8. Enlightenment by Sarah Perry
The author of The Essex Serpent and Melmoth, returns with Enlightenment, her most ambitious novel yet. Spanning two decades, it is a sweeping story of love and faith and astronomy, illuminated through the unlikely friendship between a 17 year old girl and a 50 year old columnist in a fictional Essex town. As always, Perry's vivid prose and rich layering of storytelling make this a true novel to savor.
9. The Wedding People by Alison Espach
In The Wedding People, newly divorced Phoebe Stone arrives at a luxury Rhode Island hotel, convinced she has nothing to live for. Only through the unlikely friendship of bride-to-be Lila does she find new hope. Espach's novel has already become a darkly comic New York Times bestseller, with film rights secured. It's a perfect blend of wit and warmth for a late-summer read.
10. James by Percival Everett
A powerful, thought-provoking novel, Percival Everett gives a contemporary reimagining to the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the vantage of Huck's enslaved companion, Jim. With themes as harrowing as they come, and surmounted with this furious sense of humor, Everett's 24th novel is already being hailed as one of his best. Longlisted for the Booker Prize, James is a very strong contender for future literary accolades.
11. The Sleepwalkers by Scarlett Thomas
Dubbed "Patricia Highsmith meets The White Lotus," The Sleepwalkers is the riveting mystery set on a remote Greek island. A newlywed couple's relationship falls apart as secrets from the past bubble to the surface, unleashing a suspenseful and unpredictable narrative. Told through various documents, this in-genre novel will keep you up until the very last page.
12. My Friends by Hisham Matar
The latest novel from Hisham Matar, winner of the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction, reckons with the lives of three Libyan men in exile after protesting against Colonel Gaddafi's regime. My Friends is a moving examination of exile, friendship, and the complexities of male bonds—celebrated by Elif Shafak and Colm Tóibín. As this book poignantly explores identity and belonging, it becomes a heavy addition to your summer reading list.
Whether you're in the mood for a laugh-out-loud novel, one that will make you think, or even a great escape from reality, these 12 books have something for every reader. Happy reading!
