Summer ‘22 reading list

The Neopolitan Series by Ferrante follows the relationship of two friends, Lila and Elena, from a small town outside Naples as they experience childhood, puberty, love, confidence, and betrayal. The first in the series, My Brilliant Friend follows the two girls’ meeting and their innocent friendship and how it slowly evolves and is influenced by jealousy and familial events. It’s a provoking novel where the nuances of who we think we are when we’re young and what we know of our friends will resonate with you.

I’ve never dog-earred so many pages of a book before. Written in the form of letter from a son to his mother who can’t read or write, Little Dog shares his and the family history, some that no one knew about. Vuong’s story-telling moved me from a wartime Vietnam now decades ago, to the immigrant neighbourhoods of New York, and into the summertime streets of New England with the dirt kicking up from the bikes. A beautiful novel that made me feel a full 360° through the violence, the vulnerability, race, class, masculinity, compassion and trauma. Even if you don’t find the quiet moments this summer to absorb this book, make time to do so this year.

By the same author behind the popular Normal People, this time Rooney brings together two best friends and their befriending of a married couple. I don’t know how best to describe this without giving too much away… and if you’re like me, you won’t know if there is and who’s the ‘bad guy’ in the events that pass. It may not be relatable to all but the vulnerabilities of your identity and what you stand for to be questioned was something that hit close to home for me. And like I wrote, this’ll fit in your handbag.

Definitely not for the squeamish or faint-of-heart, this crime thriller set in the suburbs of Tokyo starts off with a brutal murder, continues in exposing the dark undercurrent of the city and it’s people, ending with the irreversible decisions and deeds that may have been for the better, or worse). The engrossing storytelling shaved off months of my life with every chapter as my heart would beat with nerves and the shivers.

“The surprising science of how buildings shape our behaviour, health and happiness.” Emerging out of our homes where we have spent +2 years coming to know too well the schedule of our neighbours and that you desperately need a balcony in your next apartment, The Great Indoors is uncannily relevant to the space we call home, or work, or temporary. Anthes covers the technology and sustainability features being introduced to make our homes, the health of our hospitals, the microbes we sleep and shower with, and so much more. Packed with data and initiatives from around the world, this was a fascinating analysis and exploration of our surroundings and how it makes us who we are.

The former Sunday Times columnist and podcast host for The High Low, Alderton has seen and tried just about everything. This memoir recounts her romantic antics and failures of, her job and its security, her (possibly only solid) relationship with the man at the corner shop from whom she buys her cigs and vodka. Extremely funny and also heartbreaking, her memoir makes you realise that the first boy you kissed wasn’t a big deal and that break-up was real and you’re fine to cry for 6-months, but you’re never on your own and your best relationship is probably one that already exists.

If you haven’t read any of Sedaris’ work then make it that you do this summer. He is funny, he is a realist, he is a tad dark, he is personal and reflective. Me Talk Pretty One Day is from his time when he moved from the US to Paris, and the cultural differences that he comes across in both practice and people. For those who know Sedaris and his family, don’t worry, there’s also essays of his beat-boxing brother and life back in North Carolina. Note: do not be afraid to really laugh out loud when reading - the people around you will understand when they see the book cover.

*to read

I’m going through a bit of a personal reawakening and transformation this year, and when I came across this thin little book and it spoke of aesthetics I knew that I had to have it. I hope that Tanizaki’s enchanting essay on the Japanese and the modern is as instrumental to me as I hope.

*to read

This has been on my shelf for a year and I keep meaning to pick it up but I end up going out and buying a few books and reading those. But I vow that this is the summer where I will finally dust it off the shelf take a picture of its pink cover for instagram - and read.

I picked this up not realising that it’s the final book in a trilogy, but when it has a review like “It made me laugh, think and cry…I envy anyone who hasn’t read it yet,” then you just start reading. A woman, Faye, travels across and around Europe on her book tour exchanging words, thoughts and banal but often deep conversations with those she meet or sits next to. Following these encounters and interactions, Cusk brings forth some of the most far-reaching questions we ask ourselves not expecting to ever find an answer. This could be a good one if you’re looking for something - the person who stops you needing directions in your hometown or your airport bar companion might be able to help.