Your time is very precious when it comes to reading. The average reader finishes a book a month, but there are millions upon millions of books released yearly, meaning you don’t want to waste your time with something rubbish.
Luckily for you, we’ve scoured the shelves for the most exciting upcoming releases and recently published books for you to enjoy. Here’s our pick of the best books to read this summer in the UAE, and what should be piling up on your bedside table, taking on staycation or reading by the pool this summer.
Biography and memoir
Amazon Unbound by Brad Stone
In The Everything Store, journalist Brad Stone covered the rise, near-fall, and revival of Amazon, but with Amazon Unbound, he focuses on the man behind it all: Jeff Bezos. While some admire him as an innovator, others see him as a villain, with many choosing to boycott the ubiquitous website over treatment of employees and the impact on small businesses. It’s a great follow-up to the best-selling book, and will give you a real insight into the man himself (even if he chose not to be interviewed for it).
Published: May 11, 2021.
Just as I Am by Cicely Tyson
With a career spanning six decades, Cicely Tyson made a huge impact on the world of Hollywood in her lifetime, and was even handed the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. Her notable roles include the titular character in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman and, more recently, as Annalise Keating’s mother in How to Get Away With Murder, and this book is an absolute must-read for anyone who is a fan of her work.
Published: Jan 26, 2021.
The Beauty of Living Twice by Sharon Stone
Star of blockbusters including Total Recall, Basic Instinct and Casino, Sharon Stone is one of the world’s most fa-mous actresses. In her memoir, she deals with having to rebuild her life after a massive stroke in 2001. It’s a candid look at fame and trauma, and the highs and lows of her career. This is definitely not one to miss.
Published: Mar 30, 2021.
Unfinished by Priyanka Chopra
As one of the most powerful women in the world, Priyanka Chopra’s memoir Unfinished is easily one of the most anticipated books of the year. Through a collection of essays, Chopra deals with the most pivotal moments of her life, from winning Miss World 2000, to her movie and TV show career, to her work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassa-dor and her marriage to Nick Jonas. No doubt you’ll be left feeling inspired by the final page.
Published: Feb 9, 2021.
Yearbook by Seth Rogen
Funny man Seth Rogen is at the top of his game with his memoir Yearbook, which is a series of essays covering top-ics ranging from his parents to conversations with Kanye West, Tom Cruise and Nic Cage. It’s a barrel of laughs, and if you read this by the pool this summer, you should expect some dirty looks from fellow subathers as you find yourself cackling away while reading.
Published: May 11, 2021.
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Crime and mystery
How to Kidnap the Rich by Rahul Raina
Rahul Raina’s main character in this crime caper-turned-love-story/social-satire finds himself in quite the pickle when he manages to get the highest score in the All Indias – while taking the test for someone else. While trying to cash in on his success, he ends up getting the pair kidnapped, and it only gets funnier from there. This book is basi-cally the definition of “well, that escalated quickly”.
Published: Jun 1, 2021.
I Know What I Saw by Imran Mahmood
After his world falls apart, the only person I Know What I Saw’s main character Xander Shute can rely on is himself. But when he witnesses a murder and police make him doubt his own memories, Shute has to confront his own past in this psychological thriller. Does he really know what he saw? You’ll soon find out.
Published: Jun 10, 2021.
The Girl Who Died by Ragnar Jónasson
Bestselling Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson is back with this nail-biting crime novel. In it, a grieving woman moves to Skálar, where the population is just ten. But when a young girl dies suddenly, Una is left wondering if there’s a murderer lurking among them, and who might be next.
Published: Jun 10, 2021.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
While finding out someone you love isn’t who they said they were is everyone’s worst nightmare, it certainly does make for gripping reading. In this novel, Hannah Hall must uncover the truth about who her beloved husband is after he abandons her with his daughter Bailey with only a note saying “protect her”. Reese Witherspoon has al-ready added this to her book club selection, and based on her previous picks, we’re willing to trust she’s picked a goody.
Published: May 4, 2021.
What Comes After by JoAnne Tompkins
When a teenage boy kills his friend and then himself, two families are ripped apart. But, as you might have guessed, this book deals with what comes after, when a pregnant girl comes into their lives. It’s set to make you feel all the feels as you unravel mystery after mystery.
Published: Apr 13, 2021.
Fantasy and science fiction
Caul Baby by Morgan Jerkins
New York Times bestselling non-fiction author Morgan Jenkins has turned her talents towards realism in her debut novel. The book deals with a number of issues including miscarriage, Black motherhood, and gentrification through the lens of a woman desperate for a child, and those around her.
Published: Apr 6, 2021.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro’s latest novel focuses on Klara, an Artificial Friend waiting to be chosen by a customer in the dystopian future. If Ishiguro’s previous books Never Let Me Go and The Remains of the Day are anything to go by, we recommend keeping tissues nearby.
Published: Mar 2, 2021.
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
When 2020 came around, we all thought we’d be back to the days of the Roaring ’20s, with plenty of wild Gatsby-esque parties and flapper dresses to match. Well, we all know how that turned out, but The Chosen and the Beau-tiful is a welcome escape back to American society at the time, with a bit of sparkle added in for good measure.
Published: Jun 1, 2021.
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
One of the most anticipated books of the year, The Gilded Ones is all about a world in which girls are outcast de-pending on whether their blood runs red or gold. Those who are “impure” must join a group of near-immortal war-riors fighting for the emperor.
Published: Feb 9, 2021.
Horror and thriller
Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner
American novelist Lisa Gardner has published more than 20 suspense novels, and in her latest work you’ll follow an ordinary woman who starts searching for missing people when everyone else has given up. But when she starts looking for a Haitian teenager, she soon finds herself in danger.
Published: Jun 1, 2021.
Girl A by Abigail Dean
Having hit the shelves in February, this book is already taking the world by storm. In it, a group of siblings return to the House of Horrors of their childhood after their mother leaves it to them in her will. It draws inspiration from real life stories, such as the Turpin case in California, and is set to haunt you for weeks after the final page is read.
Published: Feb 2, 2021.
Later by Stephen King
Do we really need to tell you what this book is about? It’s the latest work from Stephen King, and that should be enough for anyone to pick it up. Okay fine, Later is about a boy who can see dead people who links up with a de-tective in pursuit of a killer who might just manage to strike again from beyond the grave. Sounds great.
Published: Mar 2, 2021.
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
In this debut, Zakiya Dalila Harris transports us into the world of New York City book publishing, where an editorial assistant is delighted when the company hires another Black employee. But things quickly go downhill as threaten-ing notes appear on her desk, and it seems like her new friend might just be the one behind them.
Published: Jun 1, 2021.
Drama
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Ever feel like your life’s in a shambles and you have no idea what you’re doing? Us too. In this book, self-described hot mess Eve Brown finds herself in yet another disaster, this time leading to friendship with her complete oppo-site. It’s the third novel in The Brown Sisters series, and we suggest giving the other two books a go, too.
Published: Mar 9, 2021.
Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola
Love is a tale as old as time, and in her debut collection Bolu Babalola takes folktales from West Africa, ancient Greece and the Middle East and gives them a 21st century spin. Take time to appreciate each of the individual sto-ries – you’ll be feeling the love in no time at all.
Published: Apr 13, 2021.
The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary
Part of the reason why Beth O’Leary’s debut novel The Flatshare was so fantastic was how relatable it was, with two people flung together in a flat because of too-high rental prices. In The Road Trip, two former friends bump into each other unexpectedly and are forced to deal with their issues on, you guessed it, a road trip. Will they still be at odds by the end of the trip? Given O’Leary’s previous books, we’re guessing not…
Published: April 29, 2021.
The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall
Ever heard the phrase “always the bridesmaid, never the bride”? In Katy Birchall’s new book, protagonist Sophie Breeze has no issue with this, and has even turned it into her full-time job. Things are going smoothly until she makes friends with the sister of one of her clients, who, of course, doesn’t know she’s not a real bridesmaid. It’s a classic tale of challenging friendship and hidden identities that we can never resist.
Published: April 5, 2021.
Self-help
How to Work Without Losing Your Mind by Cate Sevilla
Over the past year, there have definitely been times we’ve been close to ripping out our hair at our desks (or, more accurately, at our kitchen tables while WFH). Cate Sevilla has worked in toxic work environments aplenty, and she has lots of life lessons to share from it in this new book.
Published: Jan 14, 2021.
Own It: The Secret to Life by Diane von Furstenberg
If anyone’s likely to have the secret to life, it’s got to be renowned fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. Be-tween the covers you’ll find her manifesto, that no matter what your imperfections or vulnerabilities are, you need to own them before you can turn them into your strength. Empowering stuff.
Published: Mar 8, 2021.
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
Author Matt Haig shot to new levels of fame when he published Reasons to Stay Alive, the first time he had spo-ken openly about his struggles with depression and anxiety. Since then, he has become a vocal campaigner on these topics, and his latest book is a collection of notes, lists, and stories that brought him comfort in his darkest times.
Published: Jul 6, 2021.
What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey
With such a wordy title, we’re not sure we really need to explain what this book is about. Legendary talk show host Oprah Winfrey discusses her own past alongside neuroscientist Bruce D. Perry, and together they work on how to overcome the effects of trauma and to better understand it.
Published: Apr 27, 2021.
