Summer is here, which means long sunny days and sultry hot nights. It’s the time of the year to explore, discover and reinvent yourself. One simple way to do all those things without moving much is through books! You explore new worlds, discover new ideologies and reinvent yourself by getting inspired by the characters you meet.
What we have for you here is a list of new books that will put you in a good mood this summer!
Little Hero
Enter the world of post-war Singapore in 1945. The protagonist, Ying Xiong is a seven-year-old boy has to navigate his childhood alone after certain mishaps, but he does so with strength and vigour, making him the Little Hero we come to love and support by the end of the book. Merely 98 pages long, this book can be devoured in no time and perfect for a hot summer’s day. While the story is mostly fiction, it is also inspired by the real-life events of the author’s family.
Harmony Heights
Heat things up this summer with this spicy, saucy and fun read. Harmony Heights as a summer read will not disappoint you. It will take you straight to a bourgeois Malaysian society filled with secrets and drama. If you love getting and spilling the tea, then this book is perfect for you. Take it on vacation, or read it at home, it is suitable for any place and any time.
Death and the Maiden
Imagine a ghost falling for the messenger of Death. Sounds like a story that will keep you hooked, doesn’t it? Death and the Maiden is Stella’s journey hung in the afterlife in which they live in an abandoned tower in the middle of the capital, have the same routine daily and keeps wondering why the Reaper hasn’t sent their soul away yet. Of course there are secrets, and you’ll spend your summer days and nights finding out what they are.
Deplorable Conversations with Cats and Other Distractions
A story about a talking cat? Yes please! This is the story of Lucky Lee and his dead sister Pearl’s cat Coconut, who starts talking to him. The conversations are not as simple as you might assume. Coconut goes from questioning Lucky’s food and fashion choices to asking about Pearl’s death and hogging his TV. Go on a journey of loss, grief, self-doubt and healing with the extremely well-defined characters of Deplorable Conversations with Cats and Other Distractions.
Have I Got Something To Tell You
Have I Got Something To Tell You is a collection of stories that explore the intersections and conflicts in family lives and sexuality that are typical in contemporary Asian societies, yet also universal. The stories are set from post-independent Malaysia to the early decades of the 21st century, the Covid-19 pandemic years which adds a wide variety to them.
Zarra and the Twelve Realms of Kayangan
A classic reimagined fairytale meets Malaysian folklore in this gripping middle-grade book. It’s a magical world of an evil aunt, a fairy godmother and a parallel universe with life-changing secrets where the FMC, Zarra has a mission to accomplish. The book will truly transport you into its fascinating world with every page, making a great literary escape for the summer.
Horror, He Wrote
A ghost writer who’s a real ghost of a woman scorned, a struggling writer out of inspiration, a tale of vengeance – are just some ways to describe the incredibly intriguing characters of this story. This is a page-turning novel where murder mystery meets horror and all you’ll want is to lock yourself in your room and read it from cover to cover. The twists and turns brought about by the actions of the characters will send chills down your spine.
Yangon Days
Travel to a different world with a book this summer. Yangon, previously known as Rangoon and the formal capital of Myanmar is one of the major commercial cities in Southeast Asia. This extremely engaging book consists of twenty-six stories that revolve around ordinary locals. Th daily and family lives filled with happiness and follies and simple humanity will tug at your heart strings.
The Dao of Flow
The hottest season calls hydration and while The Dao of Flow is a book that talks about the ancient wisdom of water, it’s not as simple as you think. This book will pull you into the author’s physical, spiritual and intellectual journey through the years. The themes of ancient philosophy and mindfulness along with the Doaist principles of living life will truly help you reinvent yourself this summer.
Have you found one or more books to add to your summer tbr yet?
Get your copies online or at a bookstore near you.
