I learn over 100 books yearly and these are my greatest reads of summer season

There’s one query I get requested greater than ever because the books editor at Good Housekeeping – what ought to I learn subsequent? And actually, I really like being requested – as a result of discovering the fitting e book on the proper second is one in every of life’s best small pleasures.

This 12 months has been an epic one already for good books (though if I’m trustworthy I say that yearly!) and selecting simply 7 favourites from the whole lot I’ve learn to this point in 2026 is an nearly inconceivable activity. I really feel assured although that the entire books really helpful beneath are effectively price including to your suitcase or downloading in your ereader to your commute. Happy studying!

Contrapposto by Dave Eggers

Over his 26-year profession (which started with the memoir A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius – a must-read when you haven’t already) Dave Eggers’ books have coated an eclectic mixture of topics, from the deeply private to dystopian tech satires and real-life human rights tales. His newest novel, Contrapposto, is extra of a personality examine – and a deeply satisfying one. It’s the story of Robert ‘Cricket’ Dibb, who’s raised in a dysfunctional residence in Indiana by an uninterested mom and her abusive boyfriend. His solely escape is drawing, inspired by his grandfather, Silas. Also on his facet is pal Olympia Argyros, who turns into a lifelong companion and champion.

This is a big-hearted, humorous novel about friendship and artwork – extra intimate than his typical model, however with the wealthy characterisation and commentary Eggers is understood for. A pleasure to get misplaced in and a tough one to overlook.

Canongate Books Contrapposto by Dave Eggers

Canongate Books Contrapposto by Dave Eggers

Now 23% Off

People In Love by Claire Daverley

When her teenage greatest pal, Bren, turns up unannounced at Nora’s engagement social gathering, it stirs up all types of feelings in her – principally anger that he ran away 12 years in the past and hasn’t been residence since. I used to be an enormous fan of Daverley’s debut, Talking At Night, and this has the identical emotional intimacy and depth.

Michael Joseph People in Love by Claire Daverley

Michael Joseph People in Love by Claire Daverley

Now 12% Off

Whistler by Ann Patchett

In this touching novel, the always-wonderful Patchett turns her consideration to father-daughter relationships. After an opportunity encounter brings Daphne again into contact along with her stepfather, Eddie, she begins in search of solutions to questions from her childhood that she’s by no means allowed herself to consider.

Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer

I used to be completely charmed by this joyful novel a couple of directionless younger man who takes a job working for an eccentric 90-year-old baroness. Set over a summer season and autumn in Tuscany, it’s stuffed with gossip, heat and sunshine.

Sceptre Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer

Sceptre Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Straight-talking Sybil Van Antwerp, 73, likes to maintain the world at arm’s size and talk by letter. When her eyesight begins to go, Sybil is compelled to withstand her previous. An enthralling, thought-provoking learn.

Michael Joseph The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Michael Joseph The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Now 20% Off

Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley

Set towards the backdrop of an eventful decade in British politics, this literary love story appears to be like on the intricacies of a long-term relationship, with characters so actual they reside past the pages.

Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley

Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

This compelling narrative nonfiction, summer season’s largest word-of-mouth hit, investigates the loss of life of a 19-year-old man who fell from the balcony of a luxurious Thameside high-rise and the double-life he’d been residing amongst London’s super-wealthy – one his mother and father weren’t even conscious of.

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe