I don’t think I’ve read this many books in a summer since I was twelve years old, with my rucksack stuffed with library books and desperately trying to ignore the rest of my family on vacation. I’ve spent the summer in the UK, staying in beautiful villages, walking adorable dogs, and reading plenty of books. I’m currently eight books ahead of my Storygraph annual reading goal — sorry for the brag — and I have no intentions of slowing down. But amidst all the great books I devoured this summer, there are seven that truly stood out. Interestingly enough, I’ve only seen one of these books discussed online, so I want to change that and give them the attention that they deserve.

1. Humor Me by Cat Shook

My absolute favourite way to procrastinate is watching SNL videos on YouTube. Whenever I’m in London, I make sure to visit a comedy night. So a book that pays homage to standup comedy and late-night talk shows? I was beyond excited when Humor Me popped up in my inbox!

Aside from the humour on and off-stage, this is a poignant novel about difficult grief, the kind that doesn’t easily fit on a condolence card. It’s about losing people and finding people, but most of all, finding yourself. It’s a love letter to female friendships and the power they hold. It was such a genuine book with a main character I was desperate to hug, so I had to know how things ended, bedtime be damned.

“Presley Fry is not amused. She’s been an assistant at the Late Night Show for way too long, she’s adopted a “business casual” approach to dating to save herself from the embarrassment of seeking genuine connection, and she’s content to let her gregarious roommate, Isabelle, orchestrate her entire social life. Not completely disillusioned, Presley is enamored with the world of stand-up comedy. The joy she finds in discovering up-and-coming comedians is enough for now.

Presley is still reeling from her mother's death, which still knocks the wind out of her every time she reaches for the phone. Enter Susan Clark, her late mother's childhood best friend. Susan is married to the head of the network where Presley works, and is determined to take Presley under her wing. She’s equally determined to connect Presley with her son, the bright and affable Lawrence, who couldn’t be further from Presley’s type.” – Humor Me by Cat Shook

2. My Darlings by Marie Still

I’m so lucky to have a job that involves publishers sending me incredible books like this one. I don’t know if I would have naturally stumbled upon this novel, and it feels insane to think I never would’ve read this gripping tale. Now be warned, this isn’t for those with a weak stomach. It features a lot of violence and abuse. But if you like YOU and Desperate Housewives, you’ll be obsessed with My Darlings, I promise. It’s deliciously dark, Stepford Wives energy, and features rough humour (the best kind). I loved this examination of a female psychopath and those surrounding her, and how quickly everything unravelled.

“Evil lurks behind the perfectly manicured lawns, ornate iron gates, and long winding driveways of affluent DC–but not for long.

Stay-at-home mom Eloise Williams is PTO president and a respected local philanthropist who sits on the boards of many distinguished charities. In addition to being a doting wife and mother, she is also a serial killer.

But Eloise isn’t the only lady in society playing a part. As the hidden lives of Eloise's inner circle are exposed, the body count rises. When stalkers becomes prey, Eloise desperately clings to control.

Money and power can only buy influence and safety for so long. Eventually, the curtains lift, exposing the chilling reality hiding in plain sight.” – My Darlings by Marie Still

It comes out on the 8th of October, so pre-order it now!

3. But How Are You Really? by Ella Dawson

I first encountered Ella’s novel on Twitter (I can’t call it X, sorry!) and was immediately struck by the main character's description as a “burned-out bisexual.” Talk about relatable! But How Are You Really? is the perfect trip back to college, in a celebration of healing, queer identity, found families, and the messy reality of life after graduation. It was tender and hilarious, emotional and swoon-worthy, and simply joyful. September is bisexuality awareness month, so there’s no better time for me to recommend this great book!

“Charlotte Thorne does not want to go back to Hein University. Her life postcollege isn’t what she expected—her career in media is stalled, her passion for drawing has fallen by the wayside, and she’s done a terrible job keeping in touch with her queer chosen family since graduation day. Willingly spend a full weekend with her incredibly successful classmates? Hard pass.

But when her demanding boss, tech journalist Roger Ludermore, is invited to give the commencement address at this year’s graduation—which falls on the same weekend as her five-year reunion—Charlotte has no choice but to return to campus.

The minute she steps foot on Hein property, the past comes crawling back in its glory and cringe: disco parties at the LGBTQIA+ program house, sleeping in a twin XL bed, and her chemistry with Reece Krueger, the hockey player she rebounded with after a traumatic breakup. Suddenly the weekend Charlotte has dreaded for months feels like an opportunity to go back in time. Determined to have some fun, Charlotte dodges her best friend’s questions about her mental health, ignores her boss’s constant Slack messages, and tries to avoid the truth about why she ghosted Reece five years ago. But can she really outrun her past and get her life together in seventy-two hours?” — But How Are You Really? by Ella Dawson

4. Yellowface by R.F.Kuang

Not a new release in the slightest, but it took me a while to get around to it! I received a copy as a birthday gift back in November, but due to travels and life, I couldn’t get around to reading it until July. I’ve read R.F. Kuang’s fantasy series, The Poppy War, as well as her standalone, Babel, and yet Yellowface is as different as can be. As a writer and aspiring author, I was fascinated by this glimpse into the publishing industry.

Now there’s no doubt that the main character is the villain of the story, but what fascinated me is how well the author tapped into her mind and the kind of reasoning you’ll expect from such a person. She sows these seeds of doubt that create a more realistic villain and emphasises the power of such racial prejudice and white privilege. Incredible!

“Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena’s a literary darling. June Hayward is literally nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks.

So when June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.

So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn’t this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That’s what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.

But June can’t get away from Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June’s (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.“ — Yellowface by R.F.Kuang

5. There’s Nothing Wrong With Her by Kate Weinberg

I really enjoyed Kate’s first novel, The Truants, but don’t worry if you haven’t read it, as this novel is completely different. A short and gentle book about living with a chronic illness and escaping reality. It wasn’t necessarily an easy read, but I think it is so important to discuss invisible illnesses.

Kate invites us into a story which takes place entirely in one house, apart from flashbacks, and yet I struggled to step away from the book. I’m so glad I read There’s Nothing Wrong With Her by Kate Weinberg and got that insight, and I can’t stop thinking about the characters, even weeks later.

“Vita Woods is on the brink. She has a good job and a successful doctor boyfriend, Max, with whom the sex is great and the chat sufficient; a vivacious and charming sister Gracie, her verbal sparring partner and best friend for life; and she's even got a goldfish called Whitney Houston, who brightens her days by showing her she's not the only one going round in circles.

Because it's the days that are Vita's problem. Vita is not leaving the house. In fact, Vita rarely exits the basement apartment where she lives, since Vita is in “The Pit” – a place of deep exhaustion and semi-consciousness where she spends much of her time, dead to the world and to herself. She has been sick for months, with an illness that no doctor, not even Max, can medically diagnose.

One day an unexpected courier delivery forces Vita upstairs, into the light - and into a chance encounter with her neighbours upstairs. Suddenly, Vita finds herself faced with an even trickier dilemma. She likes her new friends; she'll even sneak upstairs to see them while Max is out, against all medical advice but something about her “condition” is nagging at the borders of her mind. After all, what is a house-bound girl to do when she can't keep the light, her new friendships, or - worst of all - her memories out? The problem might be Vita herself but as far as anyone can prove... there's nothing wrong with her.” — There’s Nothing Wrong With Her by Kate Weinberg

6. Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

Have you ever read a book and felt absolutely shocked that more people don’t talk about it? That was my experience with Fireborne. I couldn’t understand how BookTok and social media in general couldn’t stop yapping about Fourth Wing and ACOTAR – both excellent books as well — and yet it had taken a thorough deepdive into the depths of StoryGrah for me to find this incredible series by Rosaria Munda. I want to run around screaming about it, that’s how much I loved it.

Not only has Fireborne got dragon riding like Fourth Wing, but it’s full of political intrigue and class structures. It poses some excellent questions about societal structures, privilege and humanity. Plus, it has friends to enemies… to lovers? You’ll see! A definite recommendation for fans of Fourth Wing and dare I say it, The Hunger Games.

“Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone—even the lowborn—a chance to test into the governing class of dragonriders.

Now they are both rising stars in the new regime, despite backgrounds that couldn't be more different. Annie's lowborn family was executed by dragonfire, while Lee's aristocratic family was murdered by revolutionaries. Growing up in the same orphanage forged their friendship, and seven years of training have made them rivals for the top position in the dragonriding fleet.

But everything changes when survivors from the old regime surface, bent on reclaiming the city.” — Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

7. Daughter of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis

Another fantasy series that BookTok seems to be sleeping on! Daughter of the Drowned Empire is perfect for readers who opt for magic systems over dragons and Fae. I adore the worldbuilding in it and read the first book in the series in a single weekend. Every time I tried to put it down, I found that I couldn’t focus on anything else.

I have a soft spot for books that focus on sisters, as one of three myself, and this truly explored the extreme lengths you’ll go for them. I also appreciated that the love triangle isn’t as black and white as in some novels. Don’t get me wrong, I obviously have a clear favourite, but once or twice, I did feel bad for the other player! Anyway, no spoilers, go read it!

“Lady Lyriana Batavia is third in line to the Seat of Power in Bamaria. And with the most eligible bachelor and master mage, Lord Tristan Grey, soon to be her fiancé - life is perfect.

But at the ceremony that should have revealed her power, she uncovers something else entirely - Lyr is powerless. Faced with uncertainty, Lyr has no choice but to accept a deadly offer. She has seven months to train as one of the kingdom's most brutal warriors - the Sotrui - and survive training at the academy.

Now, Lyr must earn her place in Bamaria and train with the exiled Lord Rhyan Hart - the man she had secretly loved since she was a girl - and a feared warrior, forbidden to her in every way. For Lyr, surviving training may mean sacrificing her own heart.” — Daughter of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis

Seven books to bury your nose into this fall, hopefully accompanied by a hot cup of tea and a cosy blanket — is it cold enough for that yet? I love getting to shine a light on lesser-known books, and given that only one of the seven has popped up on my feed before, I’d say this list sums that up pretty well. Any books you enjoyed this summer? Let me know so I can immediately add them to my reading list!

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