If you’re looking for some inspo for your next summer holiday read, we’ve got you covered. Whether it’s a murder mystery for by the pool, or an audiobook for that long staycation drive, our librarian Ann has picked some great reads to keep you entertained, whatever your plans are this summer.
Top non-fiction: The Professor And The Parson – A Story Of Desire, Deceit And Defrocking by Adam Sisman
The remarkable story of Robert Peters: bigamist, fraudster and compulsive liar, whose behaviour was so extreme he married eight times was appointed to many academic and religious positions due to an array of bogus qualifications.
Many esteemed institutions fell foul to his array of deceptions – he even appeared on Mastermind.
Find out how he got away with for so long and how, at last, his many shams were discovered.
Find the Pbook of The Professor And The Parson here
Top fiction: French Exit by Patrick DeWitt
Billed as “a tragedy of manners”, Patrick DeWitt delivers his understated satire and casually brutal wit with class and style.
This time the misfits are a mother, son and their cat on a road trip from Manhattan to Paris –what could possible go wrong?
The book is funny, wise, sharp and strange – and the underlying story of the mother and son relationship is touchingly written. A gem of a book.
Find the Pbook of French Exit here
Top audio book: Before Wallis by Rachel Tretheway
Wallis Simpson stole the king’s heart and, in doing so, rocked the monarchy and the British establishment – but she was not Edward VIII’s first or only love.
Before Wallis, three other women dominated his life: Rosemary Leveson Gower, the girl he wanted to marry; Freda Dudley Ward, the Prince’s long-term mistress; and Thelma Furness, his twice-married American lover.
Each one of the three women in this book were very different and each could have changed the course of history. In examining their lives and their impact on the heir to the throne, Rachel Trethewey questions whether he ever really wanted to be king.
An interesting twist on the story we all thought we knew, beautifully narrated by Charlotte Stevens.
Find the audio book of Before Wallis here
Top children’s book: We Won An Island By Charlotte Lo
When Luna and her family win an island, it is supposed to solve all their problems. Instead, a fabulous family adventure begins…
Similar to the wonderful Gerald Durrell in style, it involves many animals – some more charming than others! A joy to read.
Find the Pbook of We Won An Island here
Librarian’s choice: The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
This murder mystery is set in a country house where the beautiful Evelyn is shot.
The day will repeat over and over again, groundhog day-style, until our protagonist Aiden can solve the murder.
Involving time travel and many body swaps, it’s an impressive and entertaining first novel. Such fun!
Find the Pbook of The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle here
Listen to the E-audio of The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle here
Find the audio book of The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle here
Have you read any of the books featured this month? We’d love to hear what you thought! Leave your reviews in the comments below. Missed last month’s top five? Catch up on them here.
You can find out more about libraries in East Sussex by visiting the East Sussex County Council website.
And don’t forget to sign up your children to the Summer Reading Challenge!
