Our summer holidays are upon us, and for many, that means a chance to get some well-earned rest, preferably on a beach, ideally with a good book. Together with the Wadi Book Club community, I have put together our Top 10 Summer Reads, five fiction and five nonfiction, to see you through your summer.
FICTION
Atonement by Ian McEwan
A British classic and book club favourite, McEwan’s rich descriptions characterize his masterful writing. Two-thirds of the book take place in the course of a single summer evening, during which a series of tragic misunderstandings set in motion the final third of the book, in which the main character tries to atone for the mistakes she made during that evening. It has also been made into a film, starring Keira Knightley and James McEvoy.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
A humorously-written murder mystery set in a quintessential English village – but the erstwhile detectives are not your classic, troubled, unorthodox types with something to prove, but rather a motley collection of pensioners! As the mystery develops and unfolds, it is revealed that everyone, no matter how innocent-looking, has a secret. Film rights to the book have been bought by Steven Spielberg – so look out for the movie adaptation!
Conclave by Robert Harris
This un-put-downable political thriller with a mind-blowing twist in the unlikely setting of a papal election will have you glued to your deckchair. This is a personal favourite which I have loaned to several friends and family members – all have agreed with me that they loved it. Robert Harris is a consummate writer and reliable bet for a satisfying holiday read.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows
A charming romance novel that revolves around a book club set up during the Nazi occupation of Guernsey, one of the British Channel Islands, and how they survived and resisted their occupiers. The book has also been made into a Netflix film, starring Lily James.
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
These artfully crafted sci-fi short stories push the imaginative boundaries of both humanity and science. I can guarantee you will be thinking about them for days on end. One of these short stories was the inspiration for the Hollywood movie Arrival, starring Amy Adams.
Operation Mincemeat by Ben Macintyre
Ben Macintyre is the undisputed champion of true-story spy thrillers. This book is no exception. Operation Mincemeat is the tale of a complex and risky plot developed by the British to deceive the Nazis about their upcoming battle plans. The plot involved several love letters, a dead body and a series of Spanish double agents. The incredible tale has been made into a major film, which came out in cinemas in 2022, starring Colin Firth and Matthew MacFayden.
NONFICTION
This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
An amusing, relatable and honest account of the author’s personal experience as a junior doctor in the UK’s National Health Service. Although the author’s natural witty and light style makes the topic funny and accessible, he also uses the opportunity to drive some home truths about the challenges involved in working on a medical front line. The book has been adapted into a BBC series, starring Ben Whishaw.
The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal
When the British-Dutch artist Edmund de Waal inherits a collection of Japanese netsuke, he embarks on a personal quest to trace their journey through his family history. Writer and reader follow these tiny, enigmatic works of art as they travel through his family from 17th-century Japan to 18th-century Odessa to 19th-century Paris to 20th-century Vienna, where the reader is simultaneously heartbroken and inspired by their miraculous survival of the Holocaust.
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
An essential read for the 21st century. This book takes an indisputable data-driven approach to gender inequality, highlighting the discrimination and bias built into almost every single system upon which we rely for the daily running of our lives. The book is very well written and highly readable, while keeping a data- and science-based approach at its heart.
How I Accidentally Became a Global Stock Photo: and Other Strange and Wonderful Stories by Shubnum Khan
A series of personal anecdotes that revolve around travel, culture, and adventure. The ideal summer read if you’re planning a staycation, as these stories allow you to roam the world with their author from the comfort of your couch!
The Wadi Book Club is an English-language book club which meets monthly in the DQ. We alternate between fiction and nonfiction books and are open to anyone who wants to join! To get involved,
Follow us on Instagram @wadibookclub and request to join our WhatsApp group.
