What We Read in June: A Roundup of Top Picks
In our monthly series, writers and readers share the books that captivated them in June. This month, Candice Carty-Williams, author of Queenie, leads the recommendations, praising a debut novel that explores identity and belonging. 'I couldn't put it down,' she says. 'It's a story that stays with you long after the final page.'
Candice Carty-Williams Chooses a Debut Novel
Carty-Williams selects The Last Garden by Esi Edugyan, a novel set in a dystopian future where a botanist fights to preserve rare plants. 'Edugyan's prose is lush and immersive,' she writes. 'The book is a meditation on hope and resilience.' The novel has been praised for its timely themes and rich characterisation.
Thrillers and Memoirs Dominate the List
Other contributors highlight a range of genres. Crime writer Val McDermid recommends The Shadow Network by Tony Kent, a fast-paced espionage thriller. 'Kent's plotting is razor-sharp,' she says. 'This is one for fans of le Carré.' Meanwhile, poet Kate Tempest selects Small Fires: An Epic in the Kitchen, a memoir by Rebecca May Johnson that blends cooking with reflections on family and creativity.
Book Clubs and Hidden Gems
Reader recommendations include The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell, a haunting tale of a woman locked away in an asylum. 'It's a book that makes you think about history and silence,' writes one reader. Another recommends Assembly by Natasha Brown, a novella about race and class in modern Britain. 'It's a short but powerful read,' they say.
June's Bestsellers and Critical Darlings
The month's most talked-about books include The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, which has topped bestseller lists. Critics have praised its vivid portrayal of Renaissance Italy. Also popular is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, a witty novel about a female scientist in the 1960s.
What to Read Next: July Preview
Looking ahead, July promises new releases from Hilary Mantel, whose final novel The Mirror and the Light concludes her Cromwell trilogy, and a debut from Caleb Azumah Nelson, Open Water, which has already garnered buzz for its lyrical prose.
