Reviewers have meticulously selected 18 of the best intelligent page-turners for adults to consider for their summer reading. The curated list avoids typical airport novels, focusing instead on books that offer a more substantial and engaging experience.
Literary Fiction and Debuts
Among the literary fiction selections is "This is Where the Serpent Lives" by Daniyal Mueenuddin, a debut novel set in Pakistan that follows characters across decades, charting their fortunes from farms to cities and from poverty to luxury. Its first two parts were previously published in The New Yorker, with a concluding act adding weight and resonance, making it a potential contender for literary awards.
Douglas Stuart's "John of John" is described as a gentler, yet involving, novel set in the early 1990s on a remote Hebridean island. It explores the unspoken desires of a young gay man and his taciturn father, highlighting their hidden similarities.
Jeremy Cooper's "Discord" offers a quiet narrative about two contrasting musicians: Rebekah, a composer grappling with self-doubt in middle age, and Evie, a young, confident saxophonist. The story follows their perspectives as they prepare to premiere an experimental work.
Lisa Owens' "Natural Disaster" is a comedic take on early parenthood and marital miscommunications. The novel follows a narrator who plans a special day with her two young sons during her last 24 hours of maternity leave, leading to humorous chaos.
Caro Claire Burke's debut, "Yesteryear," has generated significant online discussion for its portrayal of a time-traveling trad-wife influencer. The novel critiques white Christian nationalism and its impact on American politics, offering a sharp-witted beach read.
In the debut category, Shelley Klein's "My Husband and Other Rats" humorously and movingly depicts a woman's struggles after her husband leaves, navigating therapy sessions that range from mundane to absurd.
E. Y. Zhao's "Underspin" is a thought-provoking novel centered on the funeral of a champion table tennis player who died at 24. Multiple perspectives question the reality of his death and the absence of his renowned trainer.
Patricia Finn's "The Golden Boy" introduces Stafford, a retired Hollywood executive who becomes the unexpected guardian of his old friend's four grandchildren, challenging his and his wife's perceptions of age and responsibility.
Genre Fiction: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Thrillers
Katherine Arden's "The Unicorn Hunters" blends historical fiction with fantasy, presenting Anne of Brittany with difficult choices regarding marriage and sovereignty. Her arrangement of a unicorn hunt brings magical elements into play, set against a backdrop of rich characters and intricate plotting.
Kim Choyeop's "If We Cannot Go At The Speed Of Light" is a collection of science fiction stories that explore imagined futures with a humanistic touch. One story follows an astronaut whose preconceptions are shattered during a journey across the universe.
Philip Fracassi's "Sarafina" is a suspenseful horror novel set during the American Civil War. Three deserters encounter a beautiful woman and a seemingly idyllic setting, leading to dire consequences.
Sabine Durrant's "Dead Heat" is a psychological mystery about a recently fired journalist staying in Greece. The arrival of a billionaire leads to a murder, and the narrative keeps readers guessing about the perpetrator and motive.
Emma Lowther's "Fellow Creatures" tells the story of Shannon, a working-class student at a London drama school who becomes obsessed with a glamorous fellow student, Victoria, leading her into dark territory.
Lucy Ashe's "The Model Patient" is a disturbing novel set in the 1960s, exploring the potentially dangerous dynamic between a former model undergoing therapy and her therapist, delving into the questionable motives and intense plot.
Other Notable Reads
M. L. Stedman's "A Far-Flung Life" is a novel set on an Australian sheep station that explores the tragic consequences for the MacBride family following an incident in 1958. The story spans generations, focusing on the healing of Matt and the birth of Andy, with particularly well-drawn female characters.
Emma Straub's "American Fantasy" is a comedic novel about a cruise attended by a 1990s boy band and their devoted middle-aged fans. The story explores unlikely romance amidst the band's internal tensions.
Leon Craig's "The Decadence" follows six former university friends who retreat to a collapsing ancestral mansion during lockdown. The narrative weaves together drugs, a creepy presence, and witty dialogue, creating a chilling atmosphere.
Jean-Noël Orengo's "You Are the Führer’s Unrequited Love" is a fictionalized account of Nazi architect Albert Speer's rise and fall, portraying the orchestration of the Holocaust as a banal workplace drama and Speer's shifting ambitions.