Whether you're at the beach, in a park, at the bach or staying home, relax and unwind with a great book! Check out these suggestions from Jo McColl and Chloe Blades at Unity Books that are perfect for slowing down this summer.
The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa
This is a heart-warming story about finding courage, caring for others and the tremendous power of books. High school student Rintaro Natsuki is about to close the secondhand bookstore he inherited from his beloved bookworm grandfather when a talking cat named Tiger appears with an unusual request. The feline asks for—or rather, demands—the teenager’s help in saving books with him. This book-saving mission is a real tearjerker.
She’s a Killer by Kirsten McDougall
The world’s climate is in crisis and New Zealand is being divided and reshaped by privileged immigrant wealthugees. She’s a Killer is the story of a brilliant and stubborn slacker who is drawn into radical action. Gorgeous brilliance, ecologically nuanced and whip-smart. She’s a Killer is a thriller you’ll not want to put down.
Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love by Yotam Ottolengi
This new culinary blockbuster is the antidote for those who stared at their lockdown pantries in abject horror, contemplating the age-old question – what to do with all those damn chickpeas? These fun and flexible recipes celebrate everyday staples, bringing a little joy and flavour to your home-cooked meals, without having to add saffron to the shopping list.
Everything Under the Sun by Molly Oldfield
Based on a podcast that answers questions from kids all over the world with a curious question for every day of the year, there is no built-in redundancy in this engaging time-filler! By the time you reach the end of the book, you’ll have forgotten the fascinating facts that you learnt at the beginning. So, what noise DO giraffes make?
The Magician by Colm Toibin
Toibin’s undertaken the triumphant task of immortalising Death in Venice author, Thomas Mann. Mann famously diarised his marriage to the formidable Katia and his sexual interest in men, locking his words away before being exiled from Germany. Toibin’s marriage of research and imagination makes for an immersive read capturing a turbulent 20th century Europe and an intimate portrait of Mann.