Essential Summertime Reading

He SEEMED Normal – Mary Gulla
Alazar Press

In this candid and relatable memoir, Mary Gulla shares her experiences navigating the world of dating. As an anxious person with a learning disability, she approaches dating with a unique perspective. From online to offline, Gulla recounts the good, bad, and unforgettable dates, making it a fun read for anyone who’s ever wondered if love can be found in the most unexpected places.

Moon Dust in My Hairnet – JR Creaden
Mythic Roads Press

In this hopeful science fiction novel, we follow Lane, a 20-year-old autistic lunar lunch lady as she navigates relationships, corporate challenges, and life on Lunar Trust One. She deals with survivor’s guilt after tragedy cuts short her sister’s legacy; determined to uphold her sister’s utopian dream, Lane embraces her role as a lunch lady on the moon.

The Errant Husband – Elizabeth Haynes
Radiant Press

A captivating novel that follows Thelma, whose husband Wally goes missing in Cuba. As she searches for him (with few clues), she converses with the ghost of her father, confronts her abandoned dreams, and contemplates the nature of secrets. Along the way she’s joined by a single woman on vacation and two cab drivers who insist on helping her.

Asking for a Friend – Kerry Clare
Doubleday Canada

This is a story about female friendship. The book follows Jess and Clara, who meet in university under stressful circumstances. Their instant connection becomes their foundation, sustaining them through the next twenty years. As they navigate relationships, jobs, losses, and motherhood, their friendship remains a lifeline. The book delves into the joys and challenges of this enduring relationship.

Suspect – Scott Turow
Grand Central Publishing

Set in the city of Highland Isle, this is a riveting legal thriller where Lucia Gomez, the police chief, faces accusations of soliciting sex in exchange for promotions. Turning to her old friend Rik for help, he brings in “Pinky”, his unconventional private eye, who delves into a twisted scandal, taking her deep into the city’s criminal networks and hidden secrets.

Who By Fire: A Dame Polara Mystery – Greg Rhyno
Cormorant Books

This is a mystery novel featuring Dame Polara, a former private investigator’s daughter. She gets an unusual offer from her landlord: dig up dirt on his ex-wife to keep her apartment. As she investigates, she uncovers a deadly arson conspiracy tied to her City Hall job of preserving old buildings. It’s a complex mystery with a witty main character, making the book a compelling read.

Golden Girl – Elin Hilderbrand
Back Bay Books

Set in Nantucket, it follows author Vivian Howe who is tragically killed in a hit-and-run car accident. She ascends to the Beyond and watches events unfold on Earth for one last summer. She’s granted three “nudges” to change the outcome of events and her greatest worry is her final book which contains a secret from her youth that could be disastrous for her reputation. The novel weaves together beach scenes, mouth-watering meals, and heartfelt messages about how the people we lose never truly leave us.

CAMP ZERO – Michelle Min Sterling
Knopf Canada

This is a dystopian sci-fi thriller set in a near-future northern settlement called Camp Zero, an American building project hidden in Canada’s far north. As climate change wreaks havoc, Rose agrees to travel to Camp Zero to spy on its architect in exchange for housing for her displaced mother. A handful of survivors then find their fates intertwined, discovering disturbing secrets lurking beneath the surface of the camp. The book explores gender, class, and migration in a world where nothing is as it seems.

THE WREN, THE WREN – Anne Enright
McClelland & Stewart

This story delves into the inheritance of trauma, wonder, and love across three generations of women. Nell, a 22-year-old aspiring writer, leaves her mother’s home to find her voice and live on her terms. The family’s legacy is intertwined with her famed Irish poet grandfather, Phil McDaragh, whose love poems resonate with Nell. Phil’s desertion, however, scars Nell’s sister and their cancer-ridden mother. It’s a story of longing, betrayal, and hope, exploring themes of abandonment and sustaining love.

WHO KILLED YOU, JOHN-HENRY? – Dianne Rossol
FriesenPress

A man’s lifeless body is discovered in a quiet suburban community. Seargent Frank Norris, a 25-year veteran of the police, is determined to unravel the mystery behind the death of John-Henry Hamilton. Norris faces challenges like unsavoury characters, revenge plots, and drug-related complications as he works to solve the case. Yet, he worries that insufficient evidence and complications may prevent justice from prevailing.

DEAR EDNA SLOANE – Amy Shearn
Red Hen Press

This is a tale about fame, writers, ambition, and the ups and downs of a creative life. Edna Sloane was a promising author in the 1980s New York literary scene but vanished after her successful debut novel. Decades later, aspiring writer Set Edwards becomes obsessed with rediscovering Sloane, hoping it will boost his own career. Their correspondence explores cultural obsessions with “the next big thing” in literature and the challenges faced by creative individuals.

A BIT MUCH – Sarah Jackson
Penguin Canada

This debut novel explores the complexity of friendships, the agony of insecurity, and the beautiful yet embarrassing nature of loving someone. The story follows Alice, who’s lost her job, her appetite, and her ability to sleep. Her closest friend, Mia, is being treated for a serious illness. Meanwhile, Alice meets James, but her insecure nature makes her hesitant to pursue a relationship. As Mia’s health deteriorates, Alice grapples with moving forward while knowing that Mia can’t.