Here at Harlequin, we take Spring and Summer reading seriously! We’ve been using our extra sunlight hours to read as much as we can to give you some new recs to keep you busy through the summer months. We hope you can find something to add to your TBR!
Emma Cole is reading…
The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekara: What a book. Strange and remarkable. Incredibly self-assured writing, veering from the mundane to the mythological and back again. At times this feels like a sweeping epic, and then it’s quiet, a short story within the larger world. I never really felt like I knew where I was going, but I was never frustrated by that, either. Some absolutely gorgeous prose, marvelously insightful and moving. Masterfully done. Very enjoyable and I’m really looking forward to reading Vajra’s next book, Rakesfall.
Red Side Story by Jasper Fforde: I’ve been waiting for this book for a long, long time, so my expectations were pretty high. I’m happy to report that it’s as good as I was hoping it would be. Fforde takes his premise of a world where everyone is organized according to the colour they are able to see and both expands the lore and deepens the connection we feel for these characters. The world broadens here, and readers learn more about The Rules and what might lie beyond the borders of Chromatacia. I won’t give any spoilers here, but if you enjoyed any of Fforde’s other books, this one is definitely for you. I would say it will be quite helpful to read the first book before starting this one, though.
Veniss Underground by Jeff VanderMeer: Weird, weird, and more weird. Jeff VanderMeer’s novel is a masterclass in form and voice, and I marvel at the fact that this is his debut novel! Taking place in three parts, featuring not only three different narrators but also three different styles of POV (first, second, and third) makes for a fascinating exploration of art, science, and love in a near (maybe?) future in the city of Veniss. VanderMeer has truly expanded my idea of what fiction can be, and what Weird fiction can be. A really fantastic story told in a beautiful and horrifying way.
Caroline Timmings is reading…
Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz: This is the fifth installment in Anthony Horowitz’s detective series, Hawthorne & Horowitz. These stories are so layered and seemingly complex, but they’re also wonderfully funny, relevant, and creative. Every time I start a new installment in this series, I swear I’ve caught the killer before it’s revealed. However, despite sometimes being almost right, Horowitz always manages to blow my mind with things I missed that were right under my nose! Daniel Hawthorne is the most unique detective I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about. He’s brilliant, but you definitely wouldn’t think so at first glance. Also, Anthony Horowitz has written himself into these stories. He, the author, is the detective’s Watson—so cool! I can’t overstate my love for this series and, delightfully, there are many more books to come! If you enjoy this series, I would also recommend that you check out the author’s Susan Ryeland series, which is comprised of Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders. These fascinating stories feature a book within a book as we follow along with Book Editor Susan Ryeland attempting to solve murders with the help of a fictional detective, Atticus Pünd.
Naked In Death by J.D. Robb: I’ve recently fallen down a Nora Roberts rabbit hole. I was surprised to realize that I had only ever read one of her books (Carolina Moon, which I adored!). So, I set about remedying this situation and quickly found my way to the In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are over 50 books in this series—I mean, wow. I have read the first 3 so far and thoroughly enjoyed each one. I will admit to being curious if I’ll still be so engaged once I hit book 20 or something, but as of now? I am hooked for the ride! The series is semi-futuristic, starting in the year 2058. Eve Dallas is a tough, no-nonsense Lieutenant with the New York City police force. During the first story Eve gets wrapped up in a series of murders that keeps bringing her back to the mysterious, wealthy, and handsome Roarke. The novels definitely have a different feel to them compared to your typical Nora Roberts—they’re much grittier. It has also been interesting to read about a future that’s not too far off. Some of the technology that has been created in this series is fascinating to think about. I have been chomping at the bit to get the next book from my library and cannot wait to see what’s next for Eve!
Rebecca Garnett is reading…
Over the last few months I have been working my way through Claire Keegan’s books, most recently Foster. This is a very slim book, coming in just under 100 pages, but it has stuck with me despite its size. It is a heartwarming, but also heartbreaking story of a young girl sent to stay with relatives on a farm in rural Ireland. I love reading books seasonally, and you can practically feel the heat of summer coming through the pages, it is brilliant. I highly recommend!
I’m also trying to read the Women’s Prize for Fiction Shortlist before they announce a winner in June, and I have just started reading River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure. I love a family saga, and this one explores not only two generations of characters, but also touches on race, politics, and belonging. Though I’ve only just begun, I’m really enjoying it so far.
We hope that you’ve found a recommendation or two here and happy reading!
