Kate Weston, author
I’ve always found Lauren Bravo’s writing a comforting treat; a lot like chatting away to your funny friend. I’ve just finished her new novel Probably Nothing and it’s nothing short of a dark comedy masterpiece. The premise is already funny – main character Bryony has decided to stop seeing (sleeping with) Ed, but before she can break it off, he dies. That could be the somewhat abrupt end of their dalliances were it not for the fact that Ed’s misrepresented their extremely casual, sexual relationship to his loved ones as something far more serious. Before Bryony knows it, she’s thrust into the centre of his funeral plans, like the grieving widow on top of a black funeral cake, unsure if and when it’s OK to tell them all that poor dead Ed was lying.
I also absolutely loved the young adult book Annie LeBlanc is Not Dead Yet by Molly Morris, a completely unique story about a town in the US where every 10 years someone is chosen to come back from the dead for 30 days. Wilson Moss wins the chance to bring her friend Annie LeBlanc back from the dead, and they spend 30 days trying to find a way to bring her back permanently. It’s such a brilliant, witty novel about friendship and has really stayed with me.
And I’ve just started reading I Love You, I Love You, I Love You by Laura Dockrill. Her writing is so evocative that I feel as though I’m sliding back into my teenage years with every page. I can practically feel the soggy, ripped and matted ends of my old baggy jeans against my ankles. It feels like the perfect summer romance for right now (especially with big jeans making a comeback), and I can’t wait to get back to it.
Kate Weston’s book for teens Murder on a Summer Break is published by Electric Monkey (£8.99) and her book for adults You May Now Kill the Bride is published by Headline (£9.99).
Will, Guardian reader
I just finished the Pulitzer rize-winning memoir from William Finnegan, Barbarian Days. The author talks about the highs and lows of his life through the lens of his passion, surfing. It is very well-written, with fantastic settings, and it makes you reflect on what life is all about.
***
Ruth Ware, author
Colin Walsh’s debut novel, Kala, transports the reader to a small Irish town, and tells the story of a group of friends who come together one long hot summer, and then fall apart when one of their number, the charismatic, enigmatic Kala, disappears. Fifteen years later, the friends are drawn back to the town and, just after they reunite, the remains of a body are found.
Abir Mukherjee is best known for his Wyndham and Banerjee historical crime novels, but this year he turned to contemporary fiction. His brilliant novel Hunted is about two parents faced with the terrible knowledge that their children are about to carry out a suicide bombing. Part adrenaline-fuelled chase, part political thriller, part meditation on how far parents will go to save their children, it’s a truly gripping read.
Ruth Ware was 2024 Festival Programming Chair for the Theakston Old Peculier crime writing festival. Her latest book, One Perfect Couple (Simon & Schuster £18.99) is out now.
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Mark, Guardian reader
I have been reading Liu Cixin’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy, which begins with The Three-Body Problem. I didn’t know about the series until I heard about the Netflix adaptation, 3 Body Problem, and I decided to read the books before I watched the TV show.
I’m a big fan of good science fiction – my favourite author is Iain M Banks, and I place Liu in the same class. The author’s background in IT and superb all-round science knowledge make him a top-drawer sci-fi writer.
The Netflix show is more upfront in confronting and depicting the Cultural Revolution and has some excellent CGI effects, but seriously dumbs down Liu’s excellent science content. If you want to appreciate Liu’s convoluted but gripping narrative, shell out on the books. You won’t be disappointed.