There are certain criteria when it comes to holiday reads. You can’t read anything heavy – nothing that will put you in one of those ‘weird moods’ for the rest of your time off. They can be a little bit raunchy, sure, but nothing with a cover that will score weird looks from other holidaymakers when you read it by the pool. It’s a difficult balance.
Luckily, there are a few books that do it oh so well. Here are three holiday reads we recommend popping in your beach bag this summer.
‘Everything I Know About Love’ by Dolly Alderton
This memoir from one of the UK’s favourite agony aunts is charming, tumultuous and realistic (sometimes, a bit too much). You’ll either relate to Dolly wholeheartedly or be grateful that she’s recounting her life lessons so you don’t have to learn them yourself. This book feels like a portable BFF – a slightly chaotic one, sure, but one you love anyway.
‘Beautiful World, Where Are You?’ by Sally Rooney
This is the latest novel from Sally Rooney, the author of ‘Normal People’ and ‘Conversations with Friends’, and it comes complete with her agonisingly realistic portrayal of human relationships. The musings, the misunderstandings and miscommunications. It’s juicy and complicated and a little bit spicy, which are three key ingredients for a great beach read.
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Last but certainly not least – the book you’ve no doubt been recommended at least a dozen times. Turns out, there’s a reason it’s the unofficial book of the year: it’s actually really good. Jenkins Reid’s creativity knows no bounds, making it feel – at some points – like you’re reading a real, unbelievably salacious autobiography from a Golden Age icon. For that, Evelyn Hugo might just go down with the greats (fictional or not).
