One of my favourite summer activities involves reading a book, solo on a patio, with a chilled glass of wine. The chatter in the background, the feeling of being so absorbed in your book that the outside world drifts away, the words slowly curling in the corners of your brain after the second glass.
Summer reading is the absolute best.
A cornerstone of many of my friendships revolves around what we’re reading. It's not necessarily limited to fiction, though I distinctly remember my professor in university telling us that “we read fiction because it makes us better humans”. And while that’s a common platitude, there’s a beautiful truth to it.
I know it’s early in the week, and the thought of perching en plein air with a book and a chilled glass of whatever seems ever so distant, but let’s escape reality for a moment. I’ve been collecting book recommendations from people whose taste in reading and writing I find admirable, and I’m pleased to present you with the aggregate of multiple email threads, texts, and conversations I’ve had on reading. May you find these recommendations as intriguing as I did.
LEIGH PATTERSON,
Swimming Studies, by Leanne Shapton
Not quite a memoir, not quite an art book? I have the biggest crush on Leanne Shapton, whether she’s making work in words or illustration, and I’ve returned to this one often. I suppose it’s technically a book about swimming, but…it’s actually about memory, identity, repetition, and the things we walk away from. Pairs well with a wet ponytail and a chlorinated pool.
TRANG TRINH, GIRLSOCLOCK
Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom
A short read I return to over and over again—for grounding and perspective on what actually matters in this life!! Wisdom from a former sociology professor.
The Master and Margarita, by Mikail Bulgakov
One of my favorite books ever in how many paradoxes and the lore it embodies. It’s so silly and unserious, though written in a very self-serious time (1930s Stalinist Russia, where religion was actually treasonous, so the book was published by his wife decades after Bulgakov wrote it, and after his passing as the regime began to crack). Not to give it away but the Devil comes to Moscow for some mischief—theology for the the sake of metaphysical absurdity—and throws an extravagant ball where I really recommend you look up the real historical figures that attend. My fav is Signora Tofana, who comes from a dynasty of women who sold poison in 17th century Italy to other women so they could get out of abusive marriages. It’s a bit slow to get into it, but so worth it. I read this during Miami Basel a few years ago—and not the chic way of doing it, if that says anything.
A Room of One’s Own, by Virginia Woolf
Every woman should read this and my first thought when I first finished it was: why is this not required reading in education systems?? Virginia Woolf ruthlessly meditates on creative sovereignty and exposes the material scaffolding (money, space, time, and mental freedom) behind who gets to make art (historically, men), and why.
GEORGIA MILLS,
Love in exile is a compelling read about the things we can’t live without (love, sex, the sex of life) through a Lana del Rey, sociological lens that has me thinking back to my favourite kisses and forward towards my romantic dreams.
KATIE STONE,
Memoirs might be my favorite books to read, and this one is an all-time favorite in that category. I don't want to reveal too much, but it covers themes of friendship, grief, and finding meaning in art, with a bit of mystery too. It's not necessarily a *happy* book, but it does make you feel a complicated mix of emotions and it gripped me the whole way through.
NATALIE MICHIE,
This book pulled me out of a reading slump in the winter, and I’ve been thinking about its clever weirdness ever since. Told through the eyes of an unhinged female narrator (my favourite kind), Big Swiss has it all: gut-wrenching infatuation, insane decision-making and juicy gossip! Also, it really captures how embarrassing it can feel to have a crush.
BRANDI LYNNE
Woman Made: Great Women Designers, by Jane Hall
For those who enjoy collectible design and history - this book is truly one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. Woman Made is a comprehensive design catalogue highlighting the contributions of many of the greatest female product designers past and present. Many criticize the book for not showcasing enough examples of each designer’s work, but if you enjoy researching, it’s truly the perfect launchpad to explore the history and lives of these incredible women further!
MISHA LASOFF
Willful disregard, by Lena Andersson
If you have ever been in a situationship or any situation where you have had to read into every action of word of your object of affection this is the book for you.
Willful Disregard is a piercing study of unrequited love, following intellectual Ester Nilsson as she falls for the emotionally evasive artist Hugo Rask. Through Ester’s unraveling, the novel explores how desire can override reason, exposing the quiet devastation of loving someone who withholds clarity and commitment.
Still born, by Guadalupe Nettel
This is the best book I’ve read as an adult. I’ve always been steadfast about my views on having children and this book gave me pause.
It explores two women’s contrasting views on motherhood, revealing how care, love, and purpose can emerge in unexpected forms. It’s a quiet, profound meditation on choice, vulnerability, and the ties that define us.
MOYA
Bonjour Tristesse, by Francois Sagan
One of my fav summer reads that can be easily devoured in one sitting with a chilled glass in hand. full of teenage love, jealousy, hazy sun-drenched afternoons, and a touch of hedonism, all set against the backdrop of the French Riviera.
MAHA ALAVI, MAHA ALAVI STUDIO
The Devotion of Suspect X, by Keigo Higashino
Surprisingly, I’m really into police procedurals from all over the world. I like to go country by country and read all the relevant titles — it’s a bit of a secret obsession. One of my favourites is the insanely addictive Detective Galileo series by Keigo Higashino, based in Japan, where I’m also partly based. Another one I started quite recently is the Dept. Q series by Jussi Alder-Olsen, which takes place in Denmark. Perfect Nordic Noir to sink your teeth into with a generous 10 books out. Also, Netflix just released a Scottish adaptation of this and it truly exceeds all expectations. A little treat for finishing the first novel!
NIKKI HUEBENER (MY SISTER AND THEREFORE AN AUTHORITY ON LITERATURE)
The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss
The author creates compelling characters and weaves them together uniquely (and the book also makes you feel all the feelings).
Where’d you go, Bernadette, by Maria Semple
I laughed out loud when reading it and I think everybody could probably use a giggle.
How we disappeared, by Jing Jing Lee
A beautifuly written story that is both heart wrenching and hopeful. I couldn’t put it down.
AND LASTLY, FROM YOURS TRULY
Good Material, by Dolly Alderton
This book had me laughing very loudly and very indiscreetly. It’s about a comedian whose girlfriend breaks up with him and he can’t comprehend why. He’s a little unambitious, a little clueless, and extremely hopeless, but you can’t help but root for him and groan simultaneously at his behaviour. Everyone knows someone like Andy. We love Andy. This is a hilarious, light read that also won’t make you feel like you’re losing brain cells. A very good poolside read.
The Lady in the Lake, Raymond Chandler
Okay listen. I love detective fiction. Say what you want about Chandler, but this is classic film noir murder mystery goodness. It’s an easy read, it’s salacious, and it’s downright fun. And I love to have fun!
The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy
I re-read this recently and it had me sobbing in my bed at two in the morning because it is so deeply heartbreaking and twisted and messed up and yet told from the innocent perspective a pair of mischievous two-egg twins. I delighted in the poetry of Roy’s writing: “He folded his fear into a perfect rose. He held it in the palm of his hand. She took it from him and put it in her hair.” It’s a story about children growing up in a time of political unrest in Kerala, but it’s also about love, in all its forms.
Happy summer reading! May you be enthralled with everything you read these next few months. I’d love to hear your recommendations as well - please drop them in the comments so I (and all of us) can add them to our lists!
and just like that, a summer of coffee and wine reading material is covered 🫶
@Nat Michie if you're reading this Big Swiss sparked something in me and I SEE YOU!!!
@Sasha this is such a great list and I will be saving her 🧺