As the British summer arrives with its promise of pub gardens, long evenings and days at the beach, so too does the perennial challenge of choosing the perfect holiday read. This year's crop of new releases offers something for every taste, from heartbreaking literary fiction to twisted page-turners and deeply reported non-fiction. Our editors have whittled down the season's most anticipated titles to 21 unmissable books that deserve a spot in your suitcase or beach bag.
Leading the pack is Elizabeth Strout's 'The Things We Never Say', a novel that marks a departure from her beloved characters Olive Kitteridge and Lucy Barton. Instead, Strout introduces Artie Dam, a 57-year-old history teacher grappling with his country's direction and his own disconnection from his wife. Described as a state-of-the-nation novel told through intimate domestic detail, it has been called Strout's finest work in years and is certain to be a favourite for book clubs across the UK this summer.
For non-fiction fans, BBC chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet's 'The Finest Hotel in Kabul' is an essential read. The book, which won the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction, uses the story of Kabul's Inter-Continental hotel — Afghanistan's first luxury establishment, opened in 1969 — as a lens through which to examine the country's turbulent history. Through the eyes of the staff who worked there, Doucet traces the Soviet evacuation, civil war, US invasion and the rise and fall of the Taliban. It is a sweeping social history that reads with the narrative pull of fiction.
Fans of Asako Yuzuki's bestselling 'Butter' will be delighted to discover 'Hooked', a 2015 novel now available in English for the first time, translated by Polly Barton. Lighter and breezier than its predecessor, it follows Eriko, a successful woman in her early thirties who has never formed proper friendships and develops an unsettling fixation on a lifestyle blogger. Yuzuki's talent for creating disturbingly real characters makes this a compelling read for those who enjoy psychological fiction with a dark edge.
Parents heading on holiday with small children will find particular resonance in Lisa Owens' 'Natural Disaster', which unfolds over a single day as a mother — referred to only as 'mum' — attempts to have a perfect day with her children before returning to work after maternity leave. The day begins at 5am, and the novel perfectly captures the banal struggles and internalised judgement of solo parenting. Meanwhile, Tony Tulathimutte's acclaimed short story collection 'Rejection', first published in hardback last year, finally arrives in paperback, making it travel-friendly. The collection explores themes of social alienation and online connection through the stories of unpopular, rejected characters.
All titles are available now from major bookshops and online retailers. Many are also available as ebooks and audiobooks through services such as Audible and BorrowBox for library users. For those seeking screen adaptations, keep an eye on streaming platforms — several of these titles have already attracted film and television interest.