The best books to add to your summer reading list

Most Dramatic Ever: The Bachelor

Get the popcorn out, because the gossip is about to get juicy. Fans of reality TV shows will love this book from the ECW pop classics series. While discussing The Bachelor, it provides insight into the modern dating scene and delves into the popularity of the show we all know and love. 

Most Dramatic Ever: The Bachelor by Suzannah Showler, $11, amazon.ca.

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The Kiss Quotient

Love doesn't have anything to do with mathematical probability. At least, that's what a 30-year-old woman with Asperger's found out. Inexperienced in the art of kissing, math nerd Stella Lane hires an escort to teach her the ways. Heartwarming and unexpected, this is a sweet story about how love is the best logic. 

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, $20, chapters.indigo.ca.

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The Figgs

Just when June is about to settle down for retirement, her family situation blows up. Her kids won't move out, her husband makes a startling announcement and her son is left a single father. A quirky and humorous novel about the Figgs' family dynamics, this is ultimately a book about self-discovery and resilience. 

The Figgs by Ali Bryan, $22, amazon.ca.

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Come from Away

Set in Nova Scotia in World War II, this novel is about love in the face of conflict. After Grace Baker's three brothers leave for war, she's left behind to take care of the family's shop. When a mysterious (and handsome) stranger shows up in the town, Grace feels drawn to him. After falling in love, she discovers that not only is he not who he claims to be, but her family has been hiding secrets from her. Despite being far from the battlefield, Grace must pick a side. 

Come from Away by Genevieve Graham, $13, amazon.ca. 

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My Husband and I: The Inside Story of the Royal Marriage

Ever since The Crown made its debut on Netflix, we're all wanting more details about the royal marriage. During the Queen and Prince Philip's challenging and sometimes volatile relationship, they have weathered the storm through family scandal, national pressure and numerous disagreements. After 70 years together, the Queen and Prince Philip have emerged as an inspirational and iconic couple for our time. 

My Husband and I: The Inside Story of the Royal Marriage by Ingrid Seward, $26, chapters.indigo.ca. 

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Something in the Water

Filmmaker Erin and investment banker Mark are on their dream honeymoon in tropical Bora Bora. Everything is going swimmingly until the newlyweds discover something in the water while scuba diving. Suddenly what seems a cute romance becomes a gripping psychological thriller. 

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman, $36, chapters.indigo.ca.

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When Life Gives You Lululemons

A New York Times Bestseller, this book follows image consultant Emily Charlton who's looking for a new gig. She discovers former supermodel Karolina Hartwell, who's fallen into difficult times with her career and the media. While Emily has to restore Karolina's image, she also has to navigate the perilous landscape of the perfect suburbs of Greenwich, Connecticut. Full of drama and divas, this is the perfect beach read. 

When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger, $30, amazon.ca.

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How to Keep a Secret

Buckle up for a great beach read! When three generations of women are thrown together one summer, they are forced to face up to the secrets they're hiding from each other and form bonds that only mothers, daughters and sisters can. 

How to Keep a Secret by Sarah Morgan, $20, amazon.ca. 

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Under My Skin

In the aftermath of her husband's murder, Poppy has hazy memories of her time of grief. Sometimes she has blackouts and doesn't remember how she ended up where she is. When she gets the feeling that someone is watching her, Poppy determines to find out what's been happening to her—and what really happened to her husband. 

Under My Skin by Lisa Unger, $33, amazon.ca. 

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Darling

Lola and Darling don't get along. Lola isn't interested in having a stepmom—especially one that has only been around for a couple months. But Darling isn't super into Lola either. What seems like a simple family dispute is actually much more in this twisty and unexpected novel.

Darling by Rachel Edwards, $29, amazon.ca. 

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I’ll Be Gone in the Dark

If, like us, you were captivated by the news in April 2018 of the capture of The Golden State Killer (a man who terrorized California with a string of rapes and murders in the 1970s and 1980s) you'll love this book by a journalist who wouldn't let the case go. Although McNamara died before the killer was caught, she definitely helped make it possible.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara, $26, amazon.ca. 

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Beyond Soap

If you're in the mood for something more practical, pick up this book by dermatologist Dr. Skotnicki. Providing diet tips and product advice, the book also seeks to answer the questions about why our society has so many skin problems—and what you can do to achieve healthy, glowing skin. 

Beyond Soap by Sandy Skotnicki, $25, chapters.indigo.ca. 

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Confessions of the Fox

This speculative historical fiction novel also includes notes of queer subculture, a zealous police force and scholarly consideration of the past in this interesting debut.

Confessions of the Fox by Jordy Rosenberg, $36, amazon.ca. 

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Becoming Belle

This YA book won't be out until August 7, 2018, but it's worth the wait. Based on a true story, it follows Isabel Bilton in her ascent to stardom in the 1880s. A woman ahead of her time, she takes the city by storm and falls in love with a young Viscount. The public is transfixed by her performances but she encounters disapproval from her family. 

Becoming Belle by Nuala O’Connor, $25, chapters.indigo.ca. 

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You Think It, I’ll Say It

This collection of short stories is the perfect summer read. You can dig into a story about a suburban mom's fantasies and then trade it for a student's interesting discovery the next day. One thing is sure—you'll love these juicy, funny takes on modern society.

You Think It, I’ll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld, $34, chapters.indigo.ca. 

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The Very Marrow of Our Bones

In a small town in 1967, two women mysteriously disappear without a trace. One of the women leaves behind a daughter, Lulu, who finds a note. Instead of sharing its contents, Lulu buries the letter and the secret with her, until years later she finds she's not the only one with a secret. 

The Very Marrow of Our Bones by Christine Higdon, $16, amazon.ca. 

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Authenticity

From a bestselling author comes this book about how to love and be true to yourself. In his journey as a counsellor, Dr. Posen discovered that stress, anxiety and depression all have a common theme—our lives are moving too fast and we've lost the connection with who we are and what we need. Read this book to reconnect using a holistic approach.  

Authenticity by Dr. David Posen, $20, houseofanansi.com.

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The Widower’s Notebook

In this touching memoir, Jonathan Santlofer recounts the day he brought his wife to the hospital and went home alone. In his journey of grief, he struggles to live the life he had before, and begin a new one without the woman who was his other half. 

The Widower’s Notebook by Jonathan Santlofer, $23, amazon.ca. 

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All Your Perfects

This romance by a New York Times Bestselling author will be released on July 17, 2018. Quinn and Graham had the perfect love, but years together have caused them to move farther apart. The one thing that could save their marriage could also irreparably destroy it. Heartbreaking and fast-paced, you'll want to read this book on your summer vacation. 

All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover, $37, chapters.indigo.ca. 

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Clock Dance

Out July 10, this book about a woman's life take an unexpected turn when our protagonist, Willa, flies across the country to look after someone she's never met. 

Clock Dance by Anne Tyler, $30, amazon.ca. 

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Our Animal Hearts

This story straddles the line between magical folklore and history, thanks to a lake monster, a secretive mother and a dangerous love triangle.

Our Animal Hearts by Dania Tomlinson, $22, amazon.ca. 

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Save the Date

This wedding weekend needs to be perfect—Charlie, the bride's younger sister, is counting on it. But of course, nothing goes according to plan and Charlie has to contend with a family who is proving to surprising and unpredictable.

Save the Date by Morgan Matson, $19, amazon.ca. 

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The Mum Who’d Had Enough

Out July 31, this book is for anyone who has kept it together on the outside only to be quietly going crazy on the inside. One husband finds out the hard way that his wife needs a change—and in return he finds out he might need one too.

The Mum Who’d Had Enough by Fiona Gibson, $17, chapters.indigo.ca. 

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All We Ever Wanted

This highly relevant book tackles what happens when an unfortunate incident has the power to ruin two teenagers lives—and how their parents cope with the aftermath.

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin, $32, chapters.indigo.ca. 

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Educated

This memoir is about Tara Westover and her early life as part of a survivalist group in Idaho that isolated themselves from the outside world. At 17, she left and decided to go to school—a radical move in her community. This is her story.

Educated by Tara Westover, $27, amazon.ca. 

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