AS the summer holidays are right around the corner, and a good book for your sun lounger is essential, here are some of the bestsellers from The Book House, Thame, and a couple of Thame.Net’s summer intern Gabby Smith’s personal favourite reads:
One Perfect Summer by Paige Toon
I was surprised by the more serious tone to this story. As it’s based on the chick-lit‘genre, I expected, what most romance novels provide, a perfect couple with a happy ending. Don’t get me wrong the ending is a positive one but there are also some more serious issues explored on the way which add depth to this story making it feel that much more real. From grief and rape, to marriage and university, ‘One Perfect Summer’ covers all bases and takes you through every emotion.
It is inevitability and fate at its finest and if you don’t believe in soul mates, this novel will soon have you reviewing that philosophy. This is a novel that captures first love in the most beautiful way. Usually, I find that it can be hard to capture the idea of first love in a novel, without making it sound cliché and cringe-worthy but Paige Toon makes it feel as if this is your first love as well as Joe and Alice’s.
The feeling when I finished this novel was a mixture of things; happiness because of the beautiful ending, annoyance because I am not Alice Simmons, and frustration because I wanted to read it again for the first time. What I didn’t know at the time was that Paige Toon had provided a sequel to this gorgeous story, so if you get to the end and most certainly haven’t had your Joe and Alice fill, then don’t fear you have ‘One Perfect Christmas’ to read. Although, ‘One Perfect Christmas’ is a short story, it ties up the loose ends perfectly and with the idyllic Christmassy setting, a feeling of contentment is what I felt when I had finished both.
So, if you love ‘Everything, Everything’ by Nicola Yoon or ‘Mr Maybe’ by Jane Green (all about the inevitable relationships) then you will love ‘One Perfect Summer.’ It is Paige Toon and romance at their finest.
The Ice Twins by S.K. Tremayne
In stark contrast to ‘One Perfect Summer’, ‘The Ice Twins’ is not your classic summer read; it’s gripping, chilling and definitely one that will add another dimension to your holiday collection.
The storyline follows a family with identical twin girls a year after one of them, Lydia, dies in an accident. Angus and Sarah Moorcraft move to a tiny Scottish island that Angus inherited from his grandmother, in an attempt to start over and make peace with their grief. However, when their surviving daughter, Kirstie, claims they have mistaken her identity—that she, in fact, is Lydia—their world comes crashing down once again. ‘The Ice Twins’ keeps you guessing with every page. It took me through a range of feelings and my brain hurt from trying to guess the truth from the lies. I think the following quote captures the gripping nature of this book:
“Mummy, why do you keep calling me Kirstie?’
I say nothing. The silence is ringing. I speak:
‘Sorry, sweetheart. What?’
‘Why do you keep calling me Kirstie, Mummy? Kirstie is dead. It was Kirstie that died. I’m Lydia.’ ”
After initially seeming like the perfect family with their blue-eyed and blond-haired twin girls, this novel shows the unravelling of a marriage, a family and a parents’ sanity in how well they know their children.
I read this book after my Mum recommended it and since then I’ve recommended it to everyone. I feel as though this novel has no specific age range as I know so many people that have enjoyed it, from myself at 17, to my grandmother, so this really is a book for all.
The Book House, Thame’s Bestsellers
IF you’re looking for a good summer read then The Book House in Thame is the place to go; from children’s pictures books to crime thrillers, there is something for everyone. Here are a select few from the current bestselling list:
The Power by Naomi Alderman
‘The Power’ is about the reversal of power from men to women; women discover that they can inflict terrible pain with just a flick of their fingers and men discover that they have lost all control over women.
The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain
‘The Gustav Sonata’ sees a lonely young boy with absent parents discover comfort in a lifelong friendship with Anton, who fails to understand how deeply and irrevocably his life and Gustav’s are entwined.
I See You by Clare Mackintosh
This psychological thriller tsees Zoe Walker’s quest to find out why her picture was in the classified section of a London newspaper. Whether it’s a mistake, a coincidence or someone keeping track of every move they make, ‘I See You’ is an edge-of-your-seat, page-turning novel from one of the most exciting and successful British debut talents of 2015.
The Pier Falls by Mark Haddon
From the author of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’, ‘The Pier Falls’ contains a collection of short stories including, ‘The Gun’, where a man’s life is marked by a single afternoon and a rusty .45. Also, in ‘The Island,’ a mythical princess is abandoned on an island in the midst of war, and ‘The Boys Who Left Home to Learn Fear,’ is about a force of sheltered aristocrats who set out to find adventure in a foreign land.
Black Water by Louise Doughty
From the author of Apple Tree Yard comes a thriller about espionage, love, and redemption; John Harper is in hiding in a remote hut on a tropical island and, as he lies awake at night, listening to the rain on the roof, he believes his life may be in danger. But he is less afraid of what is going to happen than of what he’s already done. Then comes Rita who, with her own tragic history, starts an affair with John but can they offer each other redemption?
Holiday reads for Children
The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop by Clare Balding
From Clare Balding comes a touching and funny story about Charlie Bass’s horse who won’t gallop, and if that is the case, cannot win the Derby which means everything to Charlie and her family.
The Boy, The Bird & The Coffin Maker by Matilda Woods
This is a beautiful story of family and friendship. Alberto, a coffin maker who is spending his quiet, solitary days creating the final resting places of Allora’s people, befriends a young boy, Tito who has been eating the scraps in Alberto’s kitchen. Alberto is lonely until the day this mysterious boy and his magical bird arrive – flying from danger and searching for a safe haven.
There’s A Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins
This children’s picture book follows a mouse who is completely disgusted at this bear on his chair and his rhyming adventure in reclaiming his chair.
We’re Off To Look For Aliens by Colin McNaughton
Colin McNaughton’s story-within-a-story sees dad’s new book arriving and the children sitting down to read his latest adventure – blasting off into space, Dad’s on the hunt for aliens. He meets lots of them and, strangest of all, he falls in love. Dad brings his alien girl back to Earth, where they live happily ever after.
Hopefully, you have found this list of suggestions helpful in finding holiday-worthy reading material. From psychological thrillers to romance, there is something for everyone here, and The Book House, Thame, is a brilliant, local source for great summer reading recommendations.
Gabby Smith
Towersey Festival Director Joe Heap said: “We’ve been extremely lucky with the weather this year, and we’re delighted that so many people enjoyed the festival – choosing to spend the end of their summer holidays with us.
