Finally, life is returning to some form of normality, but months of uncertainty have left many of us in need of a pick-me-up. For Issue 2, we have selected upcoming reads that are sure to lift your spirits!
More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood 4 August, Hodder & Stoughton
Syed Masood explores family, falling in love and following your dreams in this adorable debut. Danyal is confident, except when it comes to the opinion of his crush, Kaval. He has to prove to her, and her family, that he would make an excellent marriage prospect. To do this, Danyal recruits Bisma, who definitely is not interested in him. Only, as Danyal spends more time with her, he realises that maybe love has been staring him in the face all along.
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria 4 August, HarperCollins
A hilarious, drama-packed rebound-romance from award-winning author Alexis Daria. After soap-opera star Jasmine finds herself in the tabloids following a breakup, she is determined to succeed in her next leading role. Everything is riding on her relationship with co-star Ashton Suárez, but, after an embarrassing first impression, their chemistry evaporates. They decide to practice behind the scenes, which leads to a passionate, soap-opera worthy romance – but can they keep it hidden with the threat of the press looming once again?
Who Cares Wins: Reasons for Optimism in Our Changing World by Lily Cole 30 July, Penguin
Featuring interviews from a diverse range of voices and activists, including Extinction Rebellion founders Dr Gail Bradbrook and Farhana Yamin, designer Stella McCartney, entrepreneur Elon Musk, and everyone’s favourite historian Sir David Attenborough, Lily Cole’s new book provides some much-needed hope and optimism to counteract the new, uncertain times that we find ourselves living in. Exploring a range of topics from fast fashion to gender equality, whilst calling for us to take action, Cole highlights the importance of optimism when engaging in these important debates and provides insightful and promising ways that we can affect real change. Who Cares Wins highlights the power that we all hold as individuals to make invaluable changes to society through choosing the optimism that is within all of us and encourages us to harness this power in order to make the future a more positive, sustainable and peaceful place for all of humanity.
Olive by Emma Gannon 23 July, HarperCollins
Olive's story is a tale as old as time, but one that tackles a topic rarely discussed in contemporary fiction: not wanting to have children. The story focuses on the lives of four childhood friends, whose perspectives of motherhood differ. Olive, a thirty-something career woman, lacks maternal urges and finds herself reflecting on the crossroads that she is speeding towards and the stereotypes that many women face; despite the different paths they choose in life. Exploring heavy issues, the book is also saturated with humour and self-awareness.
Curveballs: How to Keep It Together when Life Tries to Tear You a New One by Emma Markezic 9 July, HarperCollins
Australia saw it first, but Harper Collins UK decided to share the love, publishing the book for guiding you towards your best life! Part memoir, part self-help book, this straight-to-the-point text investigates how to deal with the traumas we face. Containing both hilarious personal anecdotes and expert's opinions and stories, the advice is well-presented, well-researched and guaranteed to touch you. Markezic delves into why we are the way we are in a way that will make you laugh and cry.
The Love Square by Laura Jane Williams 6 August, Avon
For a fun, quirky and unique romantic comedy, be sure to add Laura Jane William’s The Love Square to your to be read list. It follows the story of Penny Bridge, a successful chef from London who is completely unlucky in love but finds herself taken aback when she meets a charming new man. But then she meets another one and then another. Quickly she finds herself stuck, not in a love triangle, but a love square.
Mother Land: A Novel by Leah Franqui 6 August, HarperCollins
Striking, evocative and compelling, Mother Land, the upcoming novel by Leah Franqui is set to be one of summer’s hottest reads. Taking place in the stifling heat of Mumbai, the story follows an American woman, Rachel Meyer, and the complex relationship that develops between her and her Indian mother-in-law. This gem of a novel examines culture, gender, and female relationships in a unique, intoxicating way.
Melt My Heart by Bethany Rutter 23 July, Pan Macmillan
In Rutter’s second novel, the bond between sisters is put to the test over one rollercoaster summer. Lily loves her fat body, but she is used to living under Daisy’s shadow when it comes to boys, who appear to prefer her thin sibling. When she wins the heart of new guy, Cal, Lily seems set for a swoon-worthy summer romance. But Daisy liked Cal first, and Lily is still thinking about her best friend, Cassie. This is a story of first loves, old friends, and new beginnings from a vital voice in Young Adult fiction.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman 20 August, Michael Joseph
From the bestselling author of A Man Called Ove comes another hilarious, heart-breaking story about what it means to be human. In a Swedish town, a botched bank robbery leads to a life-or-death situation for eight strangers attending an open house. Hours later, the building is empty, and the would-be criminal has disappeared. Partly told through the testimonies of the weirdly wonderful hostages, Anxious People reminds us about what we owe to ourselves, and each other.