What's a Summer Read, anyway?

The summer read: talked about as if we all know what it means, when of course, what anyone chooses to read at summertime is as subjective as what anyone thinks is funny! Still, it does conjure certain feelings...

We asked our booksellers what makes an ideal summer read for them, and what would be the perfect example of such a beast. You can browse through all the books mentioned below! Expect an eclectic mix - with surprisingly monochrome covers!

Christina

In the summer I want to be in the sea all the time.

Book: Soundings by Doreen Cunningham

Trisha

The long days of summer give me the time to tackle something big and daunting

Next up: Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree

Beagle

In summer I like to eat ice-cream and read ice-cream books, those that fill the heart with a myriad of feelings, and that you never want to end.

Just like: Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

Hannah

Keep it simple, and let the title do the choosing for you.

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson.

Peach

Summer is when the world feels its most tangible, and when you're really aware of everyone around you, so I like to read books with visceral description.

Such as: Perfume by Patrick Susskind

Jim

I don't tend to differentiate between Summer reads and other titles, but I do look forward to my holiday reading. It's a chunk of time to get lost in books that draw you in and enthral you completely.

Gathering Evidence by Martin MacInnes would be my example.

Jess

It sounds like a cop-out, but simply things I don't have to read for anything work-related. These days summers include a long train trip to visit family in Sweden, perfect for the book you pick up just because it speaks to you, without need for explanation.

Perhaps: Incubation: a Space for Monsters by Bhanu Kapil