10 best summer reads for 2021

Whether you’re lounging on the beach, or hanging out in your backyard, summer is the perfect time to kick back with a good page-turner. Here are 10 buzz-worthy books to put on your summer 2021 reading list.

[Photo Credit: patrick]

Thrillers

1. The Push
Canadian author Ashley Audrain’s much-hyped debut novel is a dark, psychological thriller that’s hard to put down. The suspenseful plot follows a tormented narrator who becomes increasingly unhinged in the early days of motherhood.

2. The President’s Daughter
Co-authored by U.S. President Bill Clinton and acclaimed fiction writer James Patterson, this blockbuster book chronicling a kidnapping turned national security crisis is one of the most hotly anticipated summer reads of 2021.

Beach Reads

3. People We Meet on Vacation
This fun summer romp by Emily Henry – author of the bestselling Beach Read – feels like a much-needed vacation. This easy read stars two unlikely best friends who head off on holiday together in an attempt to mend their soured relationship.

4. The Atmospherians
A failed actor and disgraced social media star rebrand themselves as cult leaders in Alex McElroy’s brilliant debut novel. A satirical tale of toxic masculinity and the dark side of the wellness industry, this of-the-moment book is poised to become one of the best summer reads of 2021.

5. Sex and Vanity
The latest guilty-pleasure page-turner from author Kevin Kwan (of Crazy Rich Asians fame) is a comical saga of culture clashes and romance set in luxurious holiday locales like Capri and East Hampton.

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Non-Fiction

6. Leonard Cohen: On a Wire – This colourful graphic novel by Québec cartoonist Philippe Girard paints a revealing portrait of one of Canada’s most celebrated recording artists. Set to be released in both French and English, the biographical comic chronicles Cohen’s legendary musical career through a series of flashbacks and encounters with cultural icons like Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin.

7. My Mother’s Daughter
Canadian Olympic hurdler Perdita Felicien’s moving memoir is an intimate portrait of maternal love and triumph over adversity. Felicien reveals how her mother helped her overcome a childhood marred by racism and homeless and inspired her journey to athletic stardom.

8. Women of the Pandemic
In this timely new release, Toronto writer Lauren McKeon shines a light on the Canadian women on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. From healthcare heroes to retail workers to teachers, these women demonstrate strength and resilience during an impossibly challenging time.

Young-Adult

9. Kisses and Croissants
The literary equivalent of a macaron, this romantic YA novel set in Paris is the perfect summer read for young adults. American ballerina-in-training Mia spends an enchanting summer abroad in the City of Lights battling rival dancers and enjoying amorous encounters with a charming Frenchman.

10. Felix Ever After
Award-winning author Kacen Callender’s latest novel follows transgender teen Felix as he navigates the complicated feelings that come with self-discovery and falling in love. The multi-layered story is both funny and heartbreaking, offering a sensitive look at the LGBTQ high school experience.