Anne’s summer reading recs

Ah, July. Hard to imagine, given how hot June in the UK has been (not to mention how hot it’s been elsewhere!), but summer has really only just begun. Which means: summer reading! Here are a few favs from our list and others to take to the beach (or to read when it’s hot out and you just want to hole up somewhere dark and cool)…

• Uprooted, Naomi Novik: A firm favourite since I first read it, more than a decade ago. Indeed, I spent the last very hot weekend in London rereading it – a cool, dark forest, filled with walking trees and giant mantises; a  very closed-off wizard who’s trying to keep the evil at bay, and one very tough, chaotic peasant girl, who discovers her own power in her effort to save her best friend from the woods, among other things.
• Roll for Romance, Lenora Woods: Publishing in mid-July, this D&D romance (they fall in love in game and in real life!) is set in Austin, Texas, where they really know heat. Of course, they also have central AC. Either way, indulge your geeky side in-game and out!
• Signal to Noise, Silvia Moreno-Garcia: magic and mix-tapes in 1980s Mexico City… if you haven’t read Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s debut novel yet, this summer is the perfect time for it.
• The Wishing Game, Meg Shaffer: Imagine having the chance to meet your favourite author… and maybe be the first person to read the final book in the beloved series that meant so much to you growing up. Wish-fulfilment of the highest order, with a dash of romance and a whiff of magic; a great book to take you away.
• The Queen, Nick Cutter: Dunno abou you, but I love reading horror while I’m sitting somewhere warm, with nothing to do but drink sugary, fruity drinks. You can’t go wrong with this ultra-gooey horror novel – which takes place over a single day – about a friendship gone wrong. Also, wasps. Thirteen Reasons Why meets The Thing; I can’t recommend this highly enough.
• North is the Night, Emily Rath: maybe instead you like to spend hot days reading about cold climates? Emily Rath’s epic take on the Finnish folk saga The Kalevala features thousands of miles of snow, demons, witches, ravens and a glorious story of friendship, courage and love.

Anne Perry

Publishing Director, Arcadia Books