Discover the essential top 10 reads in the UK for the upcoming summer season. After all, not everyone is caught up in football fever and isn't it nice to lie in a deckchair and indulge in the stories?
Each country has its own list of best-selling books. Last week, I shared the Swiss-German list, and this week I am traveling to the UK. In this blog post, I am showcasing the top 10 fiction books available in paperback*. Do any of these catch your eye?
The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella What do you do when you do not feel like doing anything and how can you escape from everything to pick yourself up again? This is exactly what happened to Sasha, and she goes to the seaside resort where she went as a child to overcome her burnout. Discover how she navigates this journey, Finn's role in the story, and the mysterious messages that appear on the beach.
The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith The seventh instalment of the Strike series also promises to be exciting! A man gets involved with a perilous cult, leading private detective Cormoran and his associate Robin to be tasked by his father with saving him. They journey to the serene Norfolk countryside, only to discover that appearances can be deceiving. This promises to be an exhilarating reading experience.
The Housmaid is Watching by Freida McFadden A former maid moves into a new house with her husband and is greeted by her neighbor, who gets a strange look on her face at the sight of her husband. When an invitation is extended to the neighbor, the newcomers are treated coldly by the maid, and shortly afterward, the newcomer receives a cryptic message from the neighbor opposite telling her to stay away from her neighbors. What is the mystery behind all this? This gripping thriller is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang Two young writers, Athena, who is Asian, and June, who is white, are on different paths. Athena is beginning her career as a writer, while June remains unknown. The question arises: is it a matter of race, or is Athena simply more talented? When Athena tragically passes away in an accident witnessed by June, June takes advantage of the situation by appropriating her friend's completed work in a bid for fame. Will the truth be revealed, and will June find success with the stolen work? Stay tuned to find out!
The last Devil to Die by Richard Osman The Thursday Murder Club is a group of retired detectives faced with a perilous investigation. When a highly dangerous package disappears, the body count mounts, claiming the life of someone dear to the investigators. Can they crack the case before the murderer strikes again?
12 Months to Live by James Patterson and Mike Lupica Despite facing a terminal illness, Jane, the protagonist, a criminal defense attorney, is determined to close her last case before it's too late. Despite her client being suspected of multiple murders, which has turned the trial into the century's most high-profile case, Jane's life is at risk unless her client eliminates her first.
The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse This is the third part of the Joubert family saga, leading us from France to the Canary Islands. The narrative revolves around sailors pursuing pirates to rescue captives, only to find themselves becoming the hunted. However, the ship's crew harbors a hidden secret, which I won't reveal any further details about here, you have to find out yourself.
Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes While Nisha lives a privileged life in luxury, Sam struggles to keep her family afloat. But Nisha's life of luxury takes an unexpected turn when her husband decides to divorce her and leave her. Nevertheless, Nisha is determined to uphold her lavish lifestyle until Sam accidentally takes Nisha's gym bag at the gym and their paths cross.
Loyalty by Martina Cole and Jacqui Rose Dara comes from a family with an addicted mother and seven siblings, but they were separated by social services. Grace, on the other hand, had a sheltered life until her widowed mother was murdered, and Grace was placed in care. At Holly Brookes Children's Home, the two girls come together in the midst of severe abuse and establish an unwavering bond of loyalty.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Feyre's family encounters tough times, leading her to hunt for food to support them. During one hunt, she slays a wolf, triggering the appearance of a creature who informs her that she must face consequences for taking the wolf's life. Feyre accompanies the creature, revealed to be a faerie named Tamlin, and as they spend more time together, they form a romantic bond. However, a sinister force looms, endangering their future. Feyre must break the curse that has haunted the land for years.
The top ten list is intriguing and quite distinct from the books featured last week. We will be on holiday until the 9th of August and our next blog will be on the 12th of August!
*The list of the top 10 best-selling paperbacks in The Sunday Times for the week of July 1st, 2024.