I’m still on the road so it’s short and sweet again this week.
Here’s another batch of books with endorsements from some of the friends who have pressed them into my hands.
What’s the best book you’ve read so far this summer? Tell me in the comments!
Mrs March, Virginia Feito recommended by everyone
A psychological thriller about the wife of a New York author who becomes convinced her husband is writing about her. I’m reading this now and I’m thoroughly enjoying it so far.
Airhead: The Imperfect Art of Making News, Emily Maitlis recommended by Al
I interviewed Maitlis many years ago and she was as impressive and charming as you’d hope. This is an absorbing insight into her experiences of bringing era-defining news to the world.
Permanent Record, Mary H.K Choi recommended by Emma Straub when I interviewed her in May
“Mary is one of my faves - she captures my beloved New York City perfectly. This novel, her second, is about a pop star and a boy who works at a bodega. Modern, smart, and romantic.”
I Like To Watch by Emily Nussbaum recommended by me
I actually read this not new book last year but I spotted it on my book pile and wanted to give it a mention. It’s a collection of transcendent TV criticism from the New Yorker writer and former TV critic.
Managing Expectations, Minnie Driver - recommended by me off the back of meeting her recently
A few weeks ago, I saw Driver in conversation with Vick Hope at a Women’s Prize for Fiction event. She was so articulate, honest and funny about fame and ageing and parenting. You can listen to the conversation here. I met her briefly afterwards and immediately bought her memoir.
Groundskeeping, Lee Cole recommended by Megan
“The most flipping charming book I’ve read in months. It’s about a boy who is hopelessly in love with quite a distant, clever woman who confuses him.” Yes, please and thank you.
The Whalebone Theatre, Joanna Quinn recommended by Lotte
“This is the first book I’ve really lost myself in for a long time. It reminds me of the books I loved as a child that create an incredibly rich narrative world. It’s set in rural England then London and Paris and follows the life of a young girl and her brother who find the carcass of a whale washed up on a local beach and it changes the course of their lives. We stay with the characters from age 3 to midlife and the scope of the book is huge - I loved the part that takes them in to WW2 and the French Resistance.”
Happy Reading!
Hannah