With summer reading in full swing, now is the perfect time to add this season's most buzzed about books to your summer reading list. These featured books have enjoyed rave reviews, sparked discussions and have topped many summer book lists. So, grab a cool drink, find a cozy spot, and get ready to dive into the hottest books of the season.
The Horse by Willy Vlautin
Al Ward, a grizzled man in his sixties, lives in isolation in Nevada's high desert, haunted by memories of his past as a touring musician and the loved ones he's lost. His solitude is disrupted by the arrival of a nameless, blind horse, prompting him to question reality and his own sanity. As he contemplates the horse's presence, Al's thoughts drift through his memories of minor successes and companionship in smalltime bands. He reflects on the tragic heartbreak and struggles with alcoholism that ultimately led him to the solitude of the desert. A poignant meditation on addiction, heartbreak, and the reality of life on the road, this book has been receiving rave reviews for its melodic prose and unflinching heart. Willy Vlautin draws on his experiences as the frontman for the band Richmond Fontaine to deliver a story that asks if art can redeem us and showcases the struggles of trying to answer that question.
Hum by Helen Phillips
In a climate-changed city populated by intelligent robots called "hums," May loses her job to AI. To help resolve her family's debt, she becomes a guinea pig in an experiment that makes her unrecognizable to surveillance. Seeking respite from their hardships and her family's device addiction, she takes them to the Botanical Garden, a rare green refuge. However, the escape proves more difficult than expected, and the garden does not provide the solace she hoped for. When her children are threatened, May must trust a hum with uncertain motives to restore her family's life. One of the season's most anticipated books, Helen Phillips explores the integration of AI and technology into our lives and the cost that comes with it in a world shaped by global warming.
Death in the Air by Ram Murali
Ro Krishna, the American son of Indian parents, seeks respite at Samsara, a luxurious spa in the Indian Himalayas, after being forced to leave his high-profile job under mysterious circumstances. At Samsara, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, including a misanthropic politician, an American movie star, a beautiful heiress, and a bumbling yogi. As murders begin to occur, Ro, a lawyer by training, finds himself drawn into a dangerous investigation. Following in the path of Agatha Christie's locked-room mystery, Ram Murali has created a book that's bursting with wit and glamour and has been described as The White Lotus meets Knives Out meets Crazy Rich Asians. The perfect escapist read, this debut novel has been added to every summer reading list making it a book that will be talked about long after Labour Day BBQs.