By Hannah Moore and Holly Watson
The end of June marks the beginning of summer and this is very much reflected in the charts with a lot of easy reads making their way to the top!
There have been a handful of newcomers to the Amazon most-sold list this month. Jeffrey Archer’s Over My Dead Body has held the number one spot for three weeks now. As one of the “world’s bestselling authors” Archer is no stranger to the book charts. This book demonstrates Archer’s popularity as a Sunday Times bestseller and a must-read book of 2021 (Amazon). Archer’s new thriller Next in Line is due to be released in September which explains the resurgence of interest in his previous book. Moving away from eerie thrillers, Amazon’s most-sold list shows the popularity of Romance novels this month. Emily Henry’s Book Lovers is at number ten and is described as a “laugh-out-loud summer rom-com” (Amazon). Recently made a Sunday Times bestseller, Book Lovers is said to be a huge hit this summer. Henry’s novels Beach Read and You and Me on Vacation are also two very popular reads amongst teens and adults. Sticking with the rom-com theme, we have Sarah Morgan’s Beach House Summer at number five. Described as “a perfect slice of joyful summer escapism,” Morgan’s new romance novel is bound to be a summer essential for all holiday-goers or those who wish they were going on holiday! (Amazon).
Currently second in the Waterstones best-selling chart, author of The Silent Patient, Alex Michaelides, is keeping readers on the edge of their seats with The Maidens. A literary thriller comparable to Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, this novel is set in Cambridge and takes us through the discovery of murder within one of its most exclusive societies. This is perfect for anyone interested in exploring love, grief and the psychology behind a killer. At number five is Sally Rooney’s most recent release, Beautiful World, Where Are You, which is also newly out in paperback. One of the biggest names in contemporary literature, Rooney breaks down the lives of four interwoven characters as they encounter the fine line between friendship and romance, all the while looking for hope and comfort in the modern world. Lea Ypi’s memoir, Free, is at number eight in the chart after being shortlisted for several awards, including the Costa Biography Award. Dissecting her childhood in communist Albania and the aftermath of its downfall, Ypi questions the true meaning of freedom in the midst of political unrest, and how theory is often so different from reality.
WH Smith’s chart is currently dominated by crime and thriller fiction, with Jeffrey Archer’s novel Over My Dead Body taking the fifth spot. This story about revenge and murder follows an up-and-coming detective and an ex-undercover officer as they try to solve the murder no one else can. Taking us around the world - London, Geneva, New York - Archer has written a thriller on a huge scale. At number six, we have beloved comedian Bob Mortimer’s autobiography, titled And Away…, which was shortlisted for Non-Fiction Book of the Year in the British Book Awards 2022. For fans of Bob’s appearances on such shows as Would I Lie to You? this memoir is the perfect way to delve deeper into Bob’s tales of mischief from his younger years, while also dealing with some of the more heart-breaking aspects of his life.
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton is our chosen noteworthy book this month. Alderton’s novel is number four on the Sunday Times bestseller list this week and is described as a reflection on “growing up, growing older and navigating love” (Sunday Times). The novel has recently been made into a BBC adaptation which has brought a new fan base to the already well-loved novel. Bel Powley (who plays Birdy) was interviewed by the One Show last week, describing the show as fit for “women of all ages” as it captures young female friendship and with it being set in 2012, has a very nostalgic feel for millennials. Many are praising the adaptation and its nostalgic feeling demonstrated on Twitter with one account stating: “that’s literally your life as a 20-something in London.”
This month’s spotlight author is Jenny Han, whose 2010 book The Summer I Turned Pretty is experiencing a new wave of popularity after the release of Amazon Prime’s new adaptational series by the same name. This first instalment in the teenage trilogy takes place on a summer holiday and follows Isabel’s romantic adventures as she feels noticed for the first time in her life. Jenny Han is best known for the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series, which was reproduced by Netflix in a series of film adaptations. Clearly, Han is already a household name, but this new show will no doubt invite a whole new set of readers.