Ah, summertime. Is there a more perfect season to spread out on a patch of grass with a glass of ice cold lemonade and a good book? Especially with restrictions still in effect in many states, summer 2020 seems like the ideal moment in time to get through some of those books that have been gathering dust on your shelves.
If you're feeling a little over aforementioned books (hey, there's a reason you haven't reader them yet, right?), we've got you covered. Here are our top picks for the books you need to read this summer. And trust us: You won't be able to put these ones down.
Party Of Two
By Jasmine Guillory
If you love a good romance novel or, better yet, have read one of Jasmine Guillory's other novels, you'll love her latest book. Party of Two follows Olivia Monroe, a successful lawyer who moves to LA to start her own law firm. Next thing she knows she's falling in love with a handsome stranger, which was not part of her plan. Order it here.
Dear Edward
By Ann Napolitano
Want to have your heart broken and then put back together again? Dear Edward, which follows the story of a young boy who is the sole survivor of a plane crash, will do just that. Prepare to laugh, cry, and want even more from Edward when the book is over. Order it here.
Such A Fun Age
By Kiley Reid
If you're one of those people who needs to read the book before the movie/TV show comes out, you'll want to get on Such A Fun Age sooner rather than later: This book has already been picked up for an adaptation by Lena Waithe. In this smart, funny page-turner, 20-something Emira is accused of kidnapping the kid she babysits for, and there's little doubt that the accusation has to do with the fact that she's Black. The story follows the often cringe-worthy relationship Emira has with her white employer, Alix, and the racial tensions that bubble to the surface. Order it here.
The Majesties
By Tiffany Tsao
The Majesties is a dark page turner that follows Gwendolyn, the only survivor of a mass poisoning by her sister, Estelle. While she's alive, she's in a coma in Indonesia — and the story follows the compelling events of how it all happened in first place. Order it here.
The Vanishing Half
By Brit Bennett
The Vanishing Half centers on twin sisters Stella and Desiree Vignes, who were raised in the fictional town of Mallard, Louisiana. When Stella discovers she can pass as white, it changes things between the sisters forever, not to mention the course of their lives. This book is compulsively readable and touches on the important issues of race we're talking about today. Order it here.
The Beauty Of Your Face
By Sahar Mustafah
Protagonist Afaf Rahman is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants and the principal of a Muslim school for girls in the Chicago suburbs. One day, an alt-right-inspired shooter attacks the school, resulting in a terrifying turn of events that send Afaf back through her memories of oppression and heartbreak she faced when she was young. The Beauty Of Your Face is dark, heartbreaking, and impossible to put down. Order it here.
Mexican Gothic
By Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Love a good thriller? Mexican Gothic is your must-read this summer — it takes place on a remote mountainside in 1950s Mexico, and follows a young woman who goes to check on her newly-married cousin who has been sending some strange letters home, only to uncover a series of dark secrets. Order it here.
Self Care
By Leigh Stein
Self Care is a novel that encapsulates the current moment perfectly, following a wellness entrepreneur who makes one wrong move and faces severe backlash. If you consider yourself "into" the wellness and self-care scene, you won't be able to put this one down. Order it here.
Homegoing
By Yaa Gyasi
Homegoing follows two half-sisters from Ghana, one of whom was sold into U.S. slavery while the other remained in Ghana, and their descendants. Homegoing is eye-opening and heartbreaking. Order it here.
Big Summer
By Jennifer Weiner
Jennifer Weiner's novels are notoriously fun reads, and Big Summer, which follows a plus-size Instagram influencer attending her best friend's waiting on Cape Cod, is no exception. Weiner's latest novel is packed with twist, turns, and a whole lot of gasp-worthy moments. Order it here.
What are you reading these days? Comment below or join us on Instagram to continue the conversation. And as always, make sure to subscribe to Silk + Sonder today for a guided self care journey designed specifically for you.