Summer Book Recommendations by Bain and Gray
Despite this summer being rather temperamental and the warm sun seldomly gracing us with its radiant presence, we are blessed with the longer days. There is no better time to escape into the captivating world of books! We are lucky to have an office filled with book lovers who enjoy immersing themselves in other worlds the old-fashioned way. A few have put together this diverse treasure trove of book recommendations that is guaranteed to beautifully compliment your month of August.
Lottie Lunn
‘The Islands of Missing Trees’
Elif Shafak
Lottie has spent this summer frequently escaping to the warm shores of Spain and the lush landscapes of France! Without a doubt she was able to discover a literary gem. Lottie praises this one for the beautifully written character profiles though she did issue a warning to get the box of tissues ready! The book is a heartful investigation into a recent conflict involving opposing cultures. Covering multiple timelines, it shows us to what depth previous trauma can impact future generations and provides an interesting perspective on how we deal with challenges in the world of evolving technology and ideas.
Victoria Brown
‘It Starts with Us’
Colleen Hoover
Victoria is no stranger to glistening sandy shores and serene beaches so you can always trust her when it comes to a great beach read! For those of you on holiday this coming month, why not try this page turner? This one is a sequel to the novel ‘It Ends with Us’ which Victoria does recommends reading first. Both explore the reality of relationships – falling in love is easy, but relationships are hard work! Should you have time for the second one, it will gracefully explore the possibility of happiness and new beginnings. Just like Lottie’s choice, a box of tissue is recommended along with the Aperol spritz!
Charlotte Bloomer
‘Lessons in Chemistry’
Bonnie Garmus
Charlotte has had a very productive summer cultivating green fingers. But you cannot grow a vegetable garden without taking that much-deserved break and what better way to spend those breaks then sinking your teeth into some thought-provoking fiction? Charlotte greatly recommends the Sunday Times #1 Bestseller, Lessons in Chemistry. It is a story set in 1950s America following Elizabeth (a chemist, mother, and cooking show host) as she battles sexism in the workplace, finds love and takes up rowing as a hobby. She particularly praised the charm of this book - narrated by Elizabeth’s dog, an intelligent observer who is extremely loveable, perceptive, and caring towards his owner.
Neve Iredale
‘The Bell Jar’
Sylvia Plath
Neve is settling into our office quite nicely and has intrigued everyone with her knowledge of history and exceptional literary skills. We are sure to have some golden book recommendations from her moving forward starting off with this classic – a compelling commentary on issues that remain contemporary today including mental health, girlhood, and relationships. Be warned – Neve does mention the book is devastatingly sad but is filled with some of the most seminal analogies ever written e.g., the fig tree; ‘I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.’
Get ready to embark on unforgettable literary journeys that will make your summer all the more unforgettable! Happy reading!
