Three Books To Read This Summer //

By Idha Valeur

Dear Bandteesleatherandlace Sweets,

Books. No, not your core reading for university or those unsavoury "educational" compulsory reads. I am talking about fiction. 

When was the last time you read a piece of fiction, just because you wanted to? You know, that one you said you would read that is still sitting in your drawer, or the one collecting dust just stacked up on a bookshelf.

Photo: WeHeartIt.com

You can’t remember? Trust me, I understand. That was the situation I found myself in just a few months back. I have always loved to read. All the hours I could spend looking for the perfect novel in a book shop, is something I normally don’t talk about - I guess it's because snooping for new reads consumes so many hours, that it is almost on the brink of being embarrassing.

But then I had to come up with a concept for the extended project of my Arts & Entertainment module as part of my Journalism degree and it all hit me. A website to encourage students to read for fun. I did it mostly because I wanted to motivate myself to pick up those novels that I had bought but left in a basket under my desk and almost forgotten about all together. That was the birth of  my website The Page Turner.

Photo: WeHeartIt.com

So, I thought that I’d write this blog post to all of you out there and recommend a few books to enjoy in the summer heat or rain, on a beach, in the park, or just in bed after a long days work.

1. The Girl Before – JP Delaney 

I read this book to review on my website and I chose it because I did not want a soppy love story that revolves around the moment when a boy meets a girl, there is limited depth and only a few basic plots lines are employed. 

The Girl Before is a psychological thriller that creeps up on you so slowly that it is difficult to notice it, until it has already happened. It’s not jam-packed with car chase scenes, gun fights and all those thriller characteristics. This one is silent and a bit calmer, but damn – so effective. It will also be adapted into a movie in the future, so be sure to read it first!

The Girl Before, £4.99 (Was £12.99) | Amazon

2. Wilde Like Me – Louise Pentland 

This debut novel written by YouTuber Louise Pentland has received many kind words already and I anticipate that it will be good, light hearted, funny and a page turner for those of you who struggle to get back into reading.

Knowing Louise’s online personality, I simply cannot wait to read about Robin Wilde’s (the main character) ride through the challenges of reinventing herself and taking her life back. Robin Wilde sounds like kick ass single mum, that will have you laughing throughout the whole book – much like Louise does in her YouTube videos.

Wilde Like Me, £4.99 | Amazon

3. Not Working – Lisa Owens 

I can relate to this, even by just the title. As a recent graduate I am like the main character Clair Flannery, wondering what I am doing with my life and what I should do next. Clair walked out of her job with no plan B. Maybe she should do this and that and maybe she shouldn’t. Maybe the perfect opportunity always comes when you aren’t looking or expecting it. The Observer says it is “laugh-out-loud funny”. I could do with some laughing from a good book, what about you?

Not Working, £5.59 (Was £7.99) | Amazon

So, what do you say? Let’s turn the page together!


Stay Sweet

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