Poolside Reads: Top 2024 Books and Writers to Discover this Summer
You come out of the pool after a few minutes of swimming, feeling the warmth on your body. You put on your sunglasses and apply a layer of sunscreen—always wear sunscreen—and you sit in your favorite spot while you wait for it to take effect. You don’t want to go inside yet. It’s a beautiful day, and you deserve a break. Good thing you bought that book people keep talking about.
Reading by the pool is one of life’s great pleasures, but with so many books out there and so many new ones coming out every day, it’s hard to pick up a title to sink into. Let’s talk about some great books and writers to read through this summer by the pool in no particular order.
Ordinary Human Failings, Megan Nolan
Remember the nineties? Denim was everywhere, and we were all still coming to terms with this new “internet” fad that was surely going nowhere. With her fresh, exciting writing style, Nolan follows the Green family as they arrive in London after a problematic exit from Ireland. Coming to terms with their family dynamics and struggles, the family starts being hounded by reporter Tom, who makes them the center and scapegoat of a political tabloid in a gripping thriller. This careful, caring novel explores the accusatory thirst we’ve seen so ingrained in our society in the past few decades, putting us in the shoes of a family with enough misfortune on their hands before having to deal with the public eye.
Chicago-native poet and author Phillip B. Williams’s debut novel is a heavily magical story that follows a revolutionary figure who founds a safe haven in Missouri built by and for people rescued from slavery. Though this town is magically concealed from the outside world, conflict arises as pasts and personalities meet the burdens held by the confines of safety. This tale of self-determination, a crucial part of the American ideal, is masterfully told with a sensitive and watchful poetic eye.
Lessons for Survival: Mothering Against “the Apocalypse,” Emily Raboteau
After two decades of incisive explorations into the ongoing environmental crises that have plagued our world, Emily Raboteau has brought together a collection of stories about its impact and the work of those at the forefront. Her authentic, sharp prose guides the reader through the turbulent evolution of the crisis, our shared responsibility, and the path ahead.
You’ve got to love a strong graphic novel. Tessa Hulls’ newest release is a tale of generational emotions carried out by three generations of Chinese women. This genre-challenging memoir merges the pressures of family with crushing political nuance under the yoke of mental health complexities and generational trauma. Take a leap into a powerfully researched tale of a family’s beating heart told through touching visual storytelling.
One for the essay and art enthusiasts. Solid! explores the work of the late, great Barkley L. Hendricks in a collection of the best expressions of his work paired with a series of essays by curators and artists providing insights on his practice and perspectives. Settle into some unapologetic, critical perspectives in gorgeous, expertly produced print. Find it in the Getty Museum bookstore.
Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend, Emma R. Alban
Netflix’s Bridgerton season 3 can’t come quickly enough. While we wait, we can all appreciate Alban’s swoon-worthy tale of two Victorian debutantes who distract themselves from the foibles of “the season” by trying to tie a knot between their respective widowed parents. Instead, they’ll find something in one another they never knew could awaken—a beautiful tale of love against the ruthless standards of Victorian society and expectations.
Drawing from a vast range of sources, Trentmann intends to challenge the ideas of which we’ve convinced ourselves of post-war Germany and its reconstruction. Rather than focusing on the nation’s perceived obligations to the outside world, the author travels within its walls to study a nation coming to terms with its Nazi past as they strive to rebuild. This book is a truly intimate foray into the discussions of right and wrong as a continuous process.
Nine years after the death of his wife, this taut love story follows Sy Baumgartner, noted author and soon-to-be-retired philosophy professor, as he continues to struggle with her absence. This rich, compassionate tale spans many events in their relationship, using reminiscence and memory as the main driving force. Paul Aster’s latest novel captures the nuance of long relationships and forces us to ask ourselves why we remember what we remember.
We all had that one thankless job, and, to many, that is just what reality is. Through the eyes of underpaid, overworked box store workers, Waldman discusses the reality of modern-day employment by creating complex characters filled with flaws and heroisms lost in the bottom rungs of corporate New York. It’s a story of suspense, hard work, and starting shifts at ungodly hours.
We hope this reading list fills your summer days with knowledge, emotion, and empathetic journeys. Grab a copy of your favorite book and sink right in. The water’s nice!
