SOPH'S SUMMER BOOK CLUB
Want to find your next fictional fix? Whether you want sad, silly or something in-between, I’ve taken ‘find a good book’ off your to-do list this Summer. Get ready, Book Club is in session.
Isaac and the Egg – Bobby Palmer
Tell me more:
Isaac is stuck. Fate intervenes. He screams into the night and something screams back. Surprised, he stumbles into the woods and finds something extraordinary. Turns out, to get out of the woods, you have to go into them.
When to read: If the weather turns.
Feels: Sad, happy, sad, big happy tears.
Length: Short and snappy - 288 pages.
Boy Swallows Universe – Trent Dalton
Tell me more:
Eli’s life is anything but ordinary. A lost father, a mute brother, a jailbird mum and a criminal for a babysitter. He’s trying his best to be good, but obstacles keep getting in the way. Most of all Tytus Broz, legendary Brissie drug dealer.
When to read: If you’re in need of a break from the family.
Feels: Classic Aussie sense of humour.
Length: A long one - 464 pages.
Dear Dolly – Dolly Alderton
Tell me more:
Since 2020, Dolly Alderton has been sharing her wisdom, warmth and wit with her weekly Sunday Times readers. From breakups to body issues, families to friendships – there’s something everyone can relate to.
When to read: Feeling lonely? Here’s a warm hug.
Feels: Like hanging out with mates, laughing about dating disasters.
Length: Short and snappy - 240 pages.
Wrong Place, Wrong Time – Gillian McAllister
Tell me more:
How do you stop a murder after it’s already happened? When Jen witnesses her sweet, complicated teenager stabbing a stranger outside their home her world spins on its axis. Until she wakes up… and it’s yesterday. Can she stop it?
When to read: When the good telly runs out.
Feels: Edge of your seat, with some excellent Northern English humour*.
Length: A longer read - 416 pages.
*Reviewer is biased.
Pet – Catherine Chidgey
Tell me more:
Just like everyone in town, 12-year-old Justine is totally taken with her charismatic new teacher and longs to be her ‘pet’. However after a spate of thefts hits the school, Justine gets the sense that not all is as it seems with Mrs Price.
When to read: Over a beach-filled weekend, Hokey Pokey ice cream in hand.
Feels: Classic 1970’s Kiwiana nostalgia.
Length: A nice middle ground - 336 pages.
Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir
Tell me more:
Physics teacher, Roland, was never supposed to be in space. But he’s on a last-chance mission to save Earth… and his co-pilots didn’t wake up. Suffering from memory loss, the fate of humanity rests solely on his shoulders… or does it?
When to read: RIGHT NOW! What are you doing?!
Feels: One for the science nerds and lovers of the unexpected.
Length: Settle in, she’s quite long - 496 pages.
Want more recs?
Like what you see? Follow Soph’s Instagram book review page @hick.lit for more epic book recs. See you there.