10 Great Books To Read This Summer If You Haven't Already (Or Even If You Have!!)

So summer is here, and let's face it; it's not really bikini weather in Britain right now. But whether you're lounging on a sun-drenched beach or staring morosely out of your rain-drenched bedroom window, there's one thing which you shouldn't be without this summer: a good book. It's the summer essential. So to help you find something exciting, enticing or just plain brilliant to read this summer, I've scoured my bookshelves and picked out 10 Great Books that you should check out this summer if you haven't already (or even if you have!).

I tried to include a range of genres: fantasy, horror, crime, comedy... and so on. So, in no particular order, here they are.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larsson
Genre(s): Crime
What's it about? 
A disgraced journalist is given the seemingly impossible task of solving a forty year old missing person's case. With the help of an antisocial but incredibly intelligent private investigator and hacker, the case begins to unravel... And some dark secrets begin to surface.
Why read it?
Takes a while to get into and can be pretty dull at times, but stick with it: the compelling characters, intricate plot, and darkly compelling themes make it a damn good read.
If you like this, check out... 
There is a film, but I haven't seen if so I can't comment on it.


The Bell Jar
by Sylvia Plath
Genre(s): Semi-autobiographical, although some people will argue both ways about it.
What's it about?
A young woman's descent into mental illness, paralleling many of Plath's own experiences.
Why read it?
If you don't like Plath's poetry, you probably won't like this. It's a beautifully written, poetic, entrancing novel which provides a real and sometimes shocking insight into Plath's mind. Disturbing and compelling, I couldn't put it down.
If you like this, check out... Some of Plath's poetry. Poems like 'Lady Lazarus' deal with similar issues to those in the novel.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
by J K Rowling
Genre(s): Fantasy
What's it about?
Plucky wizards Harry, Ron, and Hermione are on the run from the evil Lord Voldemort, trying to hunt down the horcruxes (fragments of his soul which allow him a degree of immortality) and destroy them so they can finally kill him.
Why read it?
I don't think there really has to be a reason... If you haven't counted Potter by now, you must have been living in a cave... But with the final film out in a few days, there's never been a better time to relive the magic of the books.
If you like this, check out... The final film, Part 2, released July 15th (!!!)


Dead Until Dark
by Charlaine Harris
Genre(s): Romance, supernatural, mystery
What's it about?
The Japanese have perfected synthetic blood, and vampires have admitted their existence and gone public. A telepathic waitress in Louisiana falls in love with a vampire, and life becomes more complicated accordingly.
Why read it?
It's sort of 'Twilight' on Viagra. Trashy but fun.
If you like this, check out... The other books in the series, and the TV adaptation 'TrueBlood'

Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus
by Mary Shelley
Genre(s): Gothic horror
What's it about? 
An ambitious scientist discovers the secret to life, and creates a creature out of human body parts which he almost immediately regrets unleashing upon the world...
Why read it?
It's a classic. Thought-provoking and surprisingly modern in it's ideas.
If you like this, check out... Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', though it's far duller.


We Need to Talk About Kevin
by Lionel Shriver
Genre(s): Thriller, sort of. It's hard to say.
What's it about?
In a series of letters to her husband, the mother of a sociopath boy who massacred many of his classmates tries to come to terms with what has happened and assess the degree to which she is to blame.
Why read it?
I read this based on a recommendation, and they told me then that you will at first hate the mother. They were not kidding. The book deals with the nature/nurture debate and is incredibly powerful and shocking. Will probably put you off having kids for some time.
If you like this, check out... A film by the BBC is in production.

The Shining
by Stephen King
Genre(s): Horror
What's it about?
A temperamental alcoholic is slowly driven to murderous insanity while confined with his wife and child in a sinister, seemingly empty hotel where he is employed as winter caretaker. His son, who has the 'Shining', making him sensitive to supernatural forces, knows immediately that something is not quite right about the hotel, and especially Room 217...
Why read it?
'The Shining' is one of my favourite King novels. It's terrifying and bewitching, and skin-crawlingly claustrophobic. Just don't read it with the lights off. Seriously.
If you like this, check out... King's other novels, and the stunning but fairly dissimilar Kubrick film.

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
Genre(s): Science-fiction, adventure, bit of romance.
What's it about?
In a post-apocalyptic version of North America called Panem, a corrupt government in the wealthy Capitol rules over the 12 poorer districts where many citizens are starving and mistreated, and forces each district to provide one boy and one girl each year for a televised event called 'The Hunger Games', where the children must fight to the death, as a demonstation of the Capitol's power. When a girl from the poorest district, 12, volunteers for the Games to save her younger sister, she is sure it is a death sentence.
Why read it?
The Hunger Games is utterly addictive. This is the first of 3 novels, and I can almost guarantee that you, like me, will rush out to Waterstone's to the buy the others once you've read this. Plus, with a film in the works, 'The Hunger Games' is set to be bigger than 'Twilight'. I hope.
If you like this, check out... 'Catching Fire' and 'Mockingjay', the sequels.


The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
By Douglas Adams
Genre(s): Comedy, science-fiction
What's it about?
Earthman Arthur Dent learns that his friend, Ford Prefect, is not from Guildford as he had thought, but is in fact from a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse. Shortly after this, his house, and then his planet, are destroyed. Ford and Arthur hitch a lift on a passing spacecraft, and a galaxy-spanning comedic adventure ensues.
Why read it?
Adams's humour is not for everyone, but the book is hilariously funny and intriguing, and the characters are timeless. Plus, you'll understand a lot of references in popular culture after reading it. 42.
If you like this, check out... The rest of the trilogy in five parts (yes, five parts), and I would highly recommend the original radio series by the BBC - even better than the books, I think. There is also a film which isn't too bad.

Fight Club
by Chuck Palahniuk
Genre(s): Goodness knows...
What's it about?
An unnamed insomniac protagonist finds relief in support groups for the terminally ill, but his relief is disturbed by the arrival of another support group 'tourist', the mysterious Marla. Then he meets Tyler Durden, with whom he creates an underground fighting club for men, which Tyler manifests into a cult-like army bent on bringing down modern society.
Why read it?
It's disturbing and hypnotic, and it has one of the best twists I've ever read (I'm dying not to talk about it here, but no spoilers). After I read this, I walked around for days speaking like Tyler Durden. But remember rule one, you don't talk about Fight Club. And then there's rule two...
If you like this, check out... The film with Edward Norton, and Brad Pitt as Tyler. Brilliant, but the ending isn't as good. Far too happy.

Tell me what you think

- SM x