As summer holidays beckon, many British travellers are turning their thoughts to the perfect companion for their sun-drenched breaks: a good book. To help navigate the vast world of literature, UKPulse Media has consulted a selection of renowned authors, including Bridget Jones creator Helen Fielding and Pulitzer Prize-winner Andrew Sean Greer, for their personal recommendations for beach bags and poolside lounging this year.
The diverse list of suggestions caters to a wide array of literary preferences. Jem Calder, author of 'I Want You To Be Happy', highly recommends Emma Cline’s forthcoming novel, 'Switzy'. Described as poignant and unsentimental, the book follows a wealthy American businessman preparing for euthanasia in Zurich, offering a thought-provoking read. Meanwhile, Virginia Evans, who won the Women’s Prize for 'The Correspondent', plans to revisit the 'delicious and transportive' classic, 'I Capture the Castle' by Dodie Smith, and also praises Ann Patchett’s latest work, 'Whistler'.
For those seeking something with a touch of Hollywood noir, Helen Fielding is engrossed in Joan Didion's 'Play It as It Lays'. Currently writing about Los Angeles, Fielding finds the novel a 'fast, seductive read' that perfectly captures a specific era of the city. Andrew Sean Greer, known for 'Loss' and 'Villa Coco', champions Gerald Durrell's 'My Family and Other Animals' as his 'go-to for a crickets-chirping, fish-slapping summer delight', a charming tale ideal for revisiting.
Annie Lord, a Vogue dating columnist and author of 'The Project', points to Jo Hamya’s 'The Hypocrite' as a compelling choice. This novel, under 300 pages, intelligently explores dysfunctional family dynamics, class tensions, and the right to tell a story, with chapters set in Italy that 'ooze holiday'. Patrice Lawrence, the Waterstones Children’s Laureate for 2026-2028, is expanding her knowledge of illustrated books and plans to delve into 'Zodiac', a graphic memoir by Ai Weiwei, Elettra Stamboulis, and Gianluca Costantini.
Whether holidaymakers are heading to the Mediterranean, a staycation in the UK, or further afield, these author-approved recommendations provide ample inspiration. From gripping contemporary fiction to timeless classics, the selections promise to enhance any summer break, offering literary escape and entertainment.