The best summer reads, according to bookworms

While silly season might be winding down, there's still plenty of summer left! The days are longer, and the picture of reading while lying in the sunshine has us in a stronghold.

But what are you going to read? Our team of bookworms has been sifting through their summer reads for their top recommendations.

From memoir to fantasy, romance to Greek mythology, there really is something for everyone in this genre-spanning list.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

Rental Person Who Does Nothing: A Memoir, by Shoji Morimoto

Yours for $23.10

"This was a very quick read but it has stayed with me – essentially Morimoto starts a service where he rents himself to do nothing with people. Things like waiting for you at the end of a marathon finish line, accompanying someone to file their divorce papers, sitting with someone while they finish their writing, waving to someone on a train etc.

"It's wholesome and a little bit sad but gives interesting insights into human relationships... and that sometimes all you really need to do is just to be there for someone." – Sindy.

Big Swiss, by Jen Beagin

Yours for $19.25

"I read Big Swiss by Jen Beagin in three days and loved its original premise and quirky characters that weren't annoying. It's about a woman who works as a transcriber for a sex therapist and then finds herself drawn to one of his clients based on the sessions she's transcribing. She randomly meets the client in a dog park and it unravels from there." – Jess.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein, by Coco Mellors

Yours for $17.70

"I read Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors – unashamedly, I bought into the media hype surrounding this book and was delightfully surprised and enthralled with Mellors' rich writing style. You follow the all-at-once obsessive, volatile and banal romance of Cleo and Frank as they experience the growing pains of reconciling their inner selves and desires with their external environments (New York!) and each other. I quickly read Mellors' other famed book, Blue Sisters, which was equally amazing!" – Polly.

Gideon the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir

Yours for $25.40

"I read Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir and it was one of the most unique, memorable novels I've ever read. It's a wild story about necromancers set in space and had me downright obsessed within the first 100 pages – I honestly don't think I've ever devoured a book the way I devoured this and its two sequels, Harrow the Ninth and Nona the Ninth. Now I'm desperately waiting for the fourth instalment and honestly, not one other book I've read recently has even come close to being as good as this series." – Maddison.

Girl, Woman, Other, by Bernardine Evaristo

Yours for $17.70

"I read Girl, Woman, Other – it is such an important read! It tells the stories of 12 women through different decades, all of whom are in some way connected. Each chapter tells the story of a different woman as she struggles to find her place in relationships, society, and families. Despite decades going on, the same themes arise in each woman. It also discusses gender through the lens of sexuality and race. So, so good!" – Yashee.

Circe, by Madeline Miller

Yours for $17.70

"I read Circe, a mythic fantasy book by Madeline Miller, based on the Greek mythology stories of the sorceress daughter of Helios (the sun god) and the ocean nymph Perse. It was hard not to become completely enthralled in the world of Circe, her awkwardness and charm and watching her grow into the woman she becomes as she's left in exile. This book was everything I hoped for and more, and I felt as though I lived an eternity with Circe. Madeline Miller has a gift for making you feel as though you are wherever she describes and her language and way of writing is beautiful. Having just finished Circe, I wish I could read it all over again for the first time." – Mia.

Rivals, by Jilly Cooper

Yours for $17.70

"Despite being out for decades, I only just read this book while on holiday. I was inspired by the fantastic new Disney+ show, which was adapted from the book. I loved the characters and the settings. I can't wait to read more of the series." – Sarah.

The Poppy War, by R.F. Kuang

Yours for $17.99

"I read The Poppy War series by R. F. Kuang this summer – a high fantasy trilogy that puts you through almost as much emotional turmoil as the characters. Heavily inspired by Chinese history and folklore, it demonstrates the drastic consequences of warfare and Western imperialism through the eyes of a ruthless female protagonist. Between the big, ideological themes and epic battles, Kuang explores humanity – what it means to have it and to lose it – with a sophistication and tenderness rarely seen in the genre. Essential reading for fantasy lovers." – Zara.

Funny Story, by Emily Henry

Yours for $27.57

"I loved Book Lovers and Happy Place by Emily Henry, so I was excited to pick up Funny Story and see if it upheld her reputation for excellent romance and witty dialogue. It didn't disappoint! The book follows Daphne, who has just been dumped six weeks before her wedding, with her former fiancé running off with his childhood best friend. With nowhere to go, she moves in with Miles, the ex-boyfriend of her now ex-fiancé's new partner. The best part about Henry's books is the character development alongside the romance, which remains fresh no matter the premise of her book." – Erin.

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