Summer lovin' - reading list
9 books and albums pairings for the summer we're meant to be having...
Summer is officially upon us, and although the weather here in the UK may be swinging wildly between hellfire hot and biblical rain, we won’t let that stop us from bringing in the good energy.
If you’re a read outdoors on a lounge chair/picnic blanket babe it’s our time to shine, below are 10 books for whatever summer mood you’re in, 95% read and loved by me, the other 5% on my TBR so we can read together 🤭
If you’re feeling like a road trip try You, With A View by Jessica Joyce.
The concise version: Former school rivals are forced on a cross-country road trip tracing their grandparents’ love story.
Honestly, one of my all-time favourite romances! Cringe levels were incredibly low, which is a rarity I treasure.
📻 Accompanying listening: Stick Season Forever - Noah Kahan.
If you want to celebrate ‘Summerween’ try Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei Brenyah.
The concise version: Dystopian, satire, short story collection. Incredible commentary on racism, consumerism and so much more. I genuinely am in love with Adjei-Brenyah’s writing.
📻 Accompanying listening: Le Monde from the movie Talk To Me - Richard Carter.
If you’re in desperate need of a holiday try Let The Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazura.
The concise version: A blossoming romance in the Olympic Village. Set against the glistening backdrop of Athens, this is the most escapist joyful book I’ve read so far this year. Summer in under 400 pages! Out 18th July!
📻 Accompanying listening: ABBA Gold - ABBA.
If you’re going deep into your Brat girl summer try Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfitt
The concise version: Conspiracy, ‘f*cking strangers [and] pushing her friends away’ a queer horror exploring political terrorism, love and identity. (On my TBR)
📻 Accompanying listening: Brat - Charli XCX or Messy - Lola Young.
If you want a lit fic melancholy introspective summer try Okay Days by Jenny Mustard.
The concise version: Two people caught in the web of one another across three summers in London.
When you get to the line that ties in the title… oof devastation 🥲
📻 Accompanying listening: how can I pretend? - Wasia Project, five seconds flat - Lizzie McAlpine.
If it’s a non-fiction, broaden your understanding type summer try It’s Not About The Burqa edited by Mariam Khan.
The concise version: Collection of essays by Muslim women who are so often excluded from the conversations ABOUT Muslim women. Covering Islamophobia, Feminism, Faith and Sexuality.
📻 Accompanying listening: Stick of Gum - Nemahsis. + The audiobook of this was fantastic.
If it’s a day party and BBQ summer try For Such A Time As This by Shani Akilah.
The concise version: Short story collection telling the stories of a group of Black British Londoners. Covering everything from Men’s mental health to sickle cell, racism in the workplace to finding love on the tube.
📻 Accompanying listening: Made in Lagos - Wizkid.
If you’re trying to read something quick on holiday try Bad Influence by Oenone Forbat.
The concise version: At 164 pages, this personal meditation on a life lived online proves both entertaining and eye opening - so says Goodreads it’s on my TBR 🤭
(More short recs I HAVE read coming soon)
📻 Accompanying listening: Sour - Olivia Rodrigo.
If you’re summer mood is lyrical and languid try Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson.
The concise version: A story of father and son told across summers in London and Ghana. Music and movement play a crucial role in this story…or so I’ve gathered.
I just trust Caleb Azumah Nelson on a spiritual level, he just has a way!
📻 Accompanying listening: Halo - Bakar.
Choosing 9 books over 10 is a little bit outrageous, but we’re working on not needing everything perfect so I am going to leave it there…
As always, I’d love more books on my radar so if any books come to mind you know where to find me 🧚🏾♀️
Speak soon!