Whether you’re about to jet off on a holiday (lucky you), or are planning on spending heaps of time cosying up on the couch this July, chances are you’re on the hunt for a good book (or three) to read.
We’ve done the hard work for you (as always, you’re welcome) and compiled a list of our team’s recommended reads so you can dive into something you know is good, instead of wasting your dollar-dollar-bills (or time) on something that’s just #notworthit. So, if you’ve been asking your friends, colleagues, family members and neighbours what books to read? You can totally stop asking. We’ve got you covered.
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Yellowface, by R.F. Kuang
This one’s been taking the media by storm, so it would be totally remiss of us to not mention it. Yellowface follows the lives of two authors – Athena and June – who are predicted to become twin rising stars in the literary game. But when Athena dies in a freak accident (don’t worry, that’s not a spoiler), June acts on impulse and finishes one of Athena’s almost-complete novels. And then she claims it as her own.
Discussing topics of racism, diversity and cultural appropriation, Yellowface is a book that’ll get you thinking, talking and questioning.
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Daisy Jones & The Six, by Taylor Jenkins-Reid
Yep, turns out that epic Prime series was actually a book before it became a TV show. Based on the story of Fleetwood Mac (the key word here is ‘based’ because it’s not entirely accurate… at all), Daisy Jones & The Six follows the rise and fall of a band in the 70s. There’s drama, drugs, scandal-after-scandal-after-scandal, and content that’ll make you laugh, cry, and wish we weren’t out here hanging out in the 2020s.
- Pineapple Street, by Jenny Jackson
This one’s been making the rounds too. Pineapple Street looks at the lives of three women—Darley, Sasha and Georgiana—who all trade parts of themselves in for a life they never truly wanted; or a life that doesn’t totally feel ‘right’. One that’ll make you deeply consider your life choices (choices that are a little bigger than, ‘Which Mini Accomplice should I add to cart next?’) and the people you choose to bring into your life, Pineapple Street is the perfect holiday read you’ll churn through in no time.
(Seriously though, once you pick it up, you’ll never want to put it down). - Cleopatra & Frankenstein, by Coco Mellors.
If you love Sally Rooney, you’ll love Coco Mellors. Cleopatra & Frankenstein is Coco’s debut novel, and boy-oh-boy, if this is what her first book looks like? We can’t wait to read her future work. If you love love (especially when it’s the messy kind), are passionate that age is just a number (there’s twenty years between Cleo and Frank, the lovers in this book), and are keen on strong character development and a book you can devour in one weekend? This one is totally for you. We loved it. - Love Stories, by Trent Dalton
We firmly believe that anything Trent touches turns to gold, and Love Stories is no different. In this book, Trent sets up a table and chair in Brisbane for two months, and asks Australians to share their love stories. And so they do. Each chapter touches on a new story—they’ll make you laugh, smile, and cry—that you’ll never forget.
If you’re the type of person who struggles to read an entire book because you lose interest or simply don’t have the time? You can read Love Stories in as many sittings as you’d like, and it’ll never become confusing or boring. - Stolen Focus, by Johann Hari
And now for a quick change of pace—Stolen Focus is a mindblowing book about the world we’re living in and its impact on the way we think and behave. If you’ve been tossing up whether to cut down on screen time or learn a new hobby that you feel you totally don’t have time for, then you’ll love this book. One of our team members finished it in 24 hours because she loved it so much, so we have faith that you can do it in 23 (and if you do finish it in 23 hours, you absolutely have to let us know in the comments below). - Beartown, by Fredrik Backman
If you’re thinking, ‘This one isn’t a new release’, we’re here to tell you that yes, we know that, but we’re including it in this list because, well, it’s possibly one of the best, timeless books we’ve ever read. Beartown follows an ice-cold, kinda-isolated town whose pride and joy is their boys’ hockey team. When a scandal unfolds between the team’s coach’s daughter (confused yet?) and one of their star players, the town begins to question everything.
One that highlights the importance of empowering women (no matter their age), standing up for what’s right, and ensuring we don’t protect those who don’t deserve it, Beartown is a book for everyone (and when we say everyone, we mean you can totally take it on your family holiday and pass it on from one family member to the next). - I’m Glad My Mom Died, by Jeanette McCurdy
It’s trending because it really is that good. If Jeanette’s name sounds familiar, it’s likely because you loved watching iCarly (either with your kids, or as a teen yourself) on Nickelodeon back in the day. Jeanette played Sam, the blonde tomboy who loved fried chicken and was extremely hilarious. Turns out, the actor’s life was nothing like Sam’s in the TV show—she had a challenging relationship with her mum growing up, and has only been able to talk about it and confront it now that her mum has passed from cancer.
A raw and honest look into the life of a child actor, I’m Glad My Mom Died isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it’s an insightful read for anyone aged 18+. We couldn’t put it down. - Atomic Habits, by James Clear
Holidays and weekends are the perfect time to sit back and think about how you can significantly change up your life to make things, well, better. Atomic Habits will help you do just that, by providing you with tiny steps you can take every day to change your habits. It’s a book that’ll help you kickstart the second half of your year—because New Year’s Resolutions can start in July, right?! - Apples Never Fall, by Liane Moriarty
Released in September 2021, right when we needed it most, Apples Never Fall is Liane’s most recent book and, like all her others, this one did not disappoint.
The Delaney family is a well-known tennis family, so when their mother suddenly disappears after a stranger moves in… everyone begins to question what really happened to her. Did her husband murder her? Did the stranger, Savannah, have anything to do with her disappearance? Or was Joy simply not happy in her marriage?
You’ll never know… unless you give this one a read. And we’d highly recommend doing just that.
Have you read any of these books? Let us know your faves in the comments below! And if you have any recos for our team, we’d love to hear ‘em.
