This summer, we’re swapping the laptop for a good book — here’s what we recommend reading

Aside from the obvious towel and bikini, a good book is the key to a perfect beach day. We've compiled a list of all the best new books to make your beachfront companion this summer.

Softly, As I Leave You by Priscilla Presley

Forty years on from her husband Elvis’ death, Priscilla Presley shares the story of her life after divorce in a compelling new memoir. While much of her life has played out in the public eye, including her daughter Lisa Marie’s tragic passing, this book offers deeply personal insights into her experiences and how she has embraced a new chapter with resilience and grace.

The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers

Erin Sommers tells the story of Cora and Sam, two parents who are happily married—just not to each other. After meeting at a baby playgroup, their chemistry sparks an all-consuming romance. As tensions rise, their lives split into two paths: one where they follow their hearts, and one where they don’t. This novel immerses you in the push and pull of desire, the clash of fantasy and reality, and the question of whether love is ever truly worth the risk.

Boy From The North Country by Sam Sussman

Although Bob Dylan may (possibly, uncertainly) be author Sam Sussman’s father, it is his mother who truly takes centre stage in this autofictional novel. Inspired by Sussman’s own paternal mysteries, the story follows a son returning home to his dying mother, where he uncovers the possibility of his biological father's celebrity status. This debut is a heartfelt exploration of mother-son bonds and the profound act of caring for the person who has always cared for you.

The Land Of Sweet Forever by Harper Lee

Nearly a decade after her passing, Harper Lee offers The Land of Sweet Forever, a compelling collection of previously unpublished stories and
essays. Through reflections on her Southern upbringing and explorations of politics, equality, and moral growth, this volume illuminates the foundations of Lee’s celebrated literary voice and the mind behind some of America’s most enduring stories.

Gwyneth by Amy Odell

From Oscar-winning actress to wellness guru, Gwyneth Paltrow has reinvented herself time and again. Amy Odell’s meticulously researched biography, based on more than 220 sources and exclusive interviews, explores every facet of her life. Controversial, compelling, and undeniably influential, Paltrow stands as one of the defining figures of modern celebrity culture.

Good Things Come And Go by Josie Schapiro

If you’re after a powerful redemption arc, this is the one for you. New Zealand author Josie Shapiro returns with her sophomore novel, taking readers on a journey through grief, the disorientation of middle age, and the bittersweet pull of youth memories. Parents Penny and Briggs are left reeling after the death of their young daughter, setting off a cascade of emotions. This deeply moving story is a reminder that even in the darkest times, the possibility of new beginnings endures.

The Silver Book by Olivia Laing

Set in Venice, 1974, Laing tells the story of two men brought together by chance—one an artist, the other working in film—and the tragedy that follows their first encounter. What begins as a tender queer love story soon unfolds into an unsettling thriller, all against the evocative backdrop of Italian cinema.