The 12 best summer reads this June: From John Grisham's new thriller to Keiichiro Hirano’s much-anticipated translation
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June isn’t just bringing the sun, it’s also bringing a jam-packed month of great summer novels.
Typically, the summer is a great time to pick up a good book with people opting to spend lazy summer afternoons getting lost amongst the characters. Is there any better way to spend a day?
We’ve got a real mix to enjoy this June. From Japan’s award-winning literary sensation Keiichiro Hirano’s first book - A Man - being translated into English and the heartwarming story of friendship and ghosting from Suzy Krause called Sorry I Missed You.
If You Must Know, Jamie Beck | 1 June 2020
Jamie Beck’s latest novel is all about secrets and how they can impact a family.
If You Must Know is about two sisters - who are different in every way - and how they have to come together to confront an uncomfortable family secret.
This is a masterclass from Beck on how to write about family life and she captures the bickering and the love between family members - sisters specifically - so effortlessly.
A Man, Keiichiro Hirano | 1 June 2020
Keiichiro Hirano has been described as a literary sensation in Japan, and A Man is the first of his books being translated into English by Eli K.P. William.
The psychological thriller follows a web of lies as he searches for his own personal identity.
It has a Catch Me If You Can feel to it, but with a more psychological twist and it’s written so fluidly you can’t help but hope it never ends.
Liar, Lesley Pearse | 25 June 2020
Amelia, who is selling advertising at a local newspaper, dreams of being a reporter. So, when she falls upon the body of a murder victim around the corner from her home, everything changes as the truth unravels.
We were hooked from the start and it’s a great read if you’re looking for something to get thoroughly addicted to during a free weekend.
Pearse is a fantastic storyteller, which is also evident in her bestselling book, You’ll Never See Me Again.
A Decent Family, Rosa Ventrella | 1 June 2020
Beautifully written and beautifully translated, we’ve been treated by a couple of excellent imports from overseas writers this month.
A Decent Family is a story of a woman who fights back against her oppressive small town.
Rosa Ventrella is a passionate writer with a vivid imagination for storytelling. A large part of the novel is written as if by a child and the way Ventrella and translator, Ann Goldstein, capture the emotions of the child is refreshingly unique.
Sorry I Missed You, Suzy Krause | 1 June 2020
This novel is everything we look for in a good summer read; the characters are original and the writing is witty in a way that makes the whole book a joy to read.
Mackenzie, Sunna, and Maude become housemates. They’re complete strangers before they live together with just one thing in common - important people in their lives have ghosted them.
The trio grow closer by trying to untangle why these people have disappeared from their lives. It’s a very heartwarming read and a truly unique plot.
Golden Poppies, Laila Ibrahim | 1 June 2020
From the bestselling author of Yellow Crocus and Mustard Seed (which are must-reads if you haven’t given them a read already), Laila Ibrahim is releasing this empowering novel.
It follows two groups of American women in 1894 who are fighting for a better future without harsh racial divides.
There’s so much to unpack in this book, it’ll make a fantastic book club read so you can really delve into the plot.
The Catch, T.M. Logan | 11 June 2020
You might remember that T.M. Logan brought us The Holiday last year. The book was hugely popular and has received - with good reason - thousands of five star reviews.
Now, T.M. Logan is back with The Catch and what a follow up it is. When Ed meets his daughter’s boyfriend for the first time, he’s really not sure about him - even if everybody else seems to love him.
This new thriller is completely enthralling from start to finish with a jaw-dropping twist half way through. T.M Logan is the master of thriller writing.
The House Guest, Mark Edwards | 3 June 2020
From one brilliantly written thriller to another, we really are spoilt for choice with thrillers this month.
Ruth and Adam are given the chance to house sit in New York, but when Eden arrives at their doorstep claiming to be a friend of the family, things start to take a turn for the unfortunate.
If you’ve read Mark Edwards’ Here To Stay, you’ll love The House Guest - buy it alongside The Catch for a month of unputdownable thrillers.
Out Of Love, Hazel Hayes | 11 June 2020
This book is our favourite romance novel of June and with very good reason. Hazel Hayes tells what can only be described as a love story in reverse.
It takes us through the arguments to the “honeymoon stage” of the relationship, carefully unravelling an intricate web of love and the difficulties that come with it.
It’s a really unique take on a romance novel and although it covers common themes, it’s done in a way we haven’t seen before.
The Other Passenger | Louise Candlish | 25 June 2020
You might remember Louise Candlish’s fantastic writing from Our House, which also went on to win the crime and thriller book of the year.
The Other Passenger is Candlish’s newest novel and it’s a gripping story about the lives of people who commute to work by river bus.
It reminded us of one of our favourite novels, The Sleeper by Emily Barr in all the very best ways. A suspenseful must-read.
Handle With Care, Rachael Hearson | 11 June 2020
We’ve seen a rise of confessional books lately and there’s a good reason for that - they’re fascinating. You just have to look at the success of This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay, a former doctor, to see the appeal.
Handle With Care is written from the perspective of an NHS health visitor and it’s an eye-opening read.
Rachael Hearson has been threatened with a knife, chased by pimps and had to visit brothels, and that’s just the start.
The Guardians, John Grisham | 11 June 2020
John Grisham’s thriller writing credentials are pretty solidified at this point, so when we saw The Guardians was dropping in June, we knew this would be a good one. We weren’t wrong.
22 years ago Quincy Miller was sentenced to life without parole for killing a lawyer. Now, after all this time Miller has one chance at freedom for the murder he didn’t commit.
Grisham’s approach to this novel is layered, looking at America from all angles and gripping you in the way that only he can do.
