TOP SUMMER READS

WORDS ALICIA DUGGAN OF THE BOOKSHOP IN SAN PEDRO DE ALCÁNTARA, CC LA COLONIA LOCAL 21, SAN PEDRO DE ALCANTARA. TEL: 951 779 785. WWW.THEBOOKSHOP.ES

THE SIGHT OF YOU - Holly Miller

“Unique and breathtaking and painful and broken and perfect... just like love” is how Jodi Picoult described this debut novel which begs the question: Would you choose love if you knew how it would end? Joel has a secret – when he dreams about people, he foresees the future and it always comes true. Faced with a future of hurt, Joel has sworn off relationships until he meets Callie and they discover a love neither of them thought possible. When Joel has the dreaded dream about Callie he has a decision to make. Is the journey worth it even if you think you know the ending? This book is in turn poignant, unique, and inspiring.

THE KENNEDY CURSE - James Patterson and Cynthia Fagen

The Kennedys are arguably one of the most famous and infamous families in American history. Raised with the dual family mottos of ‘To whom much is given, much is expected’ and ‘Win at all costs’, they have been hugely successful both financially and politically, however they have also been plagued by scandals, tragedies, and death. Much has been written on this subject over the years, however, this fresh, new take on the Kennedy dynasty looks at several generations of the clan, recounting assassinations, sex scandals, drug and alcohol abuse, infidelities, and a virtually unending list of misfortunes. It is the true history of ‘American Royalty’ told in the style of a gripping novel.

EXHALATION - Ted Chiang

In Exhalation we are presented with nine cleverly crafted stories that range in theme from people bringing up AIs in a virtual world (The Life cycle of Software Objects) to exploring how technology, however simple, impacts the culture it touches (The Truth of Fact, the Truth of Feeling). Along the way we are treated to tales of time travel, and a look at what might happen if we could communicate with ourselves in the multiverse. All these narratives are bound together by the theme of unintended consequence – how one small change can have a tremendous unforeseen result. It is the kind of speculative fiction that makes you wish Ted Chiang were more prolific.

EXIT - BELINDA BAUER

A gripping new crime novel from the bestselling author or Snap. 75-year-old widower Felix Pink is an Exiteer – a member of a secret voluntary organisation that witnesses, but does not assist, severely ill people commit suicide. Felix sees it as an act of kindness, to sit with the dying in the last moments of their lives, removing the evidence so insurance companies will pay out. However, everything goes horribly wrong when Felix and 23-year-old newbie Exiteer, Amanda pay a visit to 3 Black Lane. What transpires leaves Felix and Amanda in a difficult situation both morally and legally. For a story that revolves around euthanasia it is surprisingly witty. A quirky, heart-warming read.

THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES - Suzanne Collins

Panem, 64 years before The Hunger Games trilogy and the country is still rebuilding following its bitter war with the districts. Eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow, the future tyrannical president of Panem, comes from an influential family that have fallen on hard times. With their fortune almost gone they are surviving on good name alone. On the morning of the reaping for the tenth annual Hunger Games, Snow hopes to regain glory by mentoring the winning tribute, however, when he is given the female tribute from district 12, he realises that the odds are not forever in his favour. Snow must do everything in his power to climb the ladder of success at all costs. Collins proves she is a master of world building and character development in this long-awaited Hunger Games prequel.