Need a beach read? Here's 6 books our editors are reading this summer

Whether you’re looking for a book to tote about the airport or one to delve into on sunny days by the beach, these are the titles to pore over for the months ahead.

Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik
Journalist Lili Anolik pulls back the curtain on the enigmatic Joan Didion through the lens of her provocative friendship with literary dynamo Eve Babitz. Set against the backdrop of a vibrant, chaotic Hollywood in the late sixties and seventies, this work unearths intimate letters and reflections that reveal the complex interplay of admiration and rivalry between two of America’s most iconic writers. A masterclass in literary biography, this book is as much a testament to the power of female creativity as it is a thrilling exploration of the entangled lives that shaped a generation.

Pictures of You by Emma Grey
With her emotionally charged novel, Emma Grey’s Pictures of You, readers are drawn into the haunting journey of Evie Hudson, a young woman grappling with memory loss after a tragic accident that claimed her husband, Oliver. Waking in a hospital room with no recollection of her past, Evie is thrust into a tangled web of forgotten love and unexamined choices, as a chance reencounter with photographer Drew sparks a powerful connection. As he helps her piece together the fragments of her life, Evie confronts heart-wrenching secrets that could alter their destinies forever. With poignant prose and a gripping narrative, Grey crafts a second-chance romance that invites readers to ponder the paths not taken and the transformative power of love.

Rosenfeld by Maya Kessler
In this electrifying new novel, the lines between desire and destruction blur as Noa Simon, a fierce thirty-six-year-old filmmaker, sets her sights on the enigmatic CEO Teddy Rosenfeld. Their charged encounters—beginning with a scandalous bathroom stall rendezvous—ignite a whirlwind romance that defies societal norms and reveals buried truths. With unapologetic candour, Kessler explores the complexities of ambition and attraction, painting a portrait of two characters locked in a tantalising battle of wills. Visceral and provocative, Rosenfeld is a must-read for those drawn to tales of love that challenge, enthral, and ultimately transform.

The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami 
Murakami once again enchants readers once more with a lyrical exploration of longing and nostalgia, seamlessly weaving between the boundaries of reality and fantasy. The novel unfolds in three captivating parts, beginning with a young man's yearning for a teenage crush, set against the backdrop of a mysterious walled city that echoes his innermost desires. As the protagonist matures into adulthood, his journey leads him to a quaint library, only to find himself drawn back to the fantastical realm that shaped his youth. With the release of this long-awaited novel—his first in six years—fans can immerse themselves in Murakami’s world once again.

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley
Writing from the past, Elvis’ late daughter emerges from the shadows of her storied lineage to share a poignant memoir that resonates with authenticity and heart. Guided by her own daughter, Riley Keough, who meticulously curated hours of audio recordings, this debut offers an intimate glimpse into the complexities of a woman defined not just by her famous parents, but by her own struggles and triumphs. The narrative unfolds with unflinching honesty, revealing love, loss, and resilience that transcends celebrity. The perfect portrait of a multifaceted artist whose voice finally takes centre stage.

Bite By Bite by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
Written by poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Bite By Bite plays with the world of food and drink, tapping into associations and memories tied to certain cuisines. Nezhukumatathil explores the layers and wonders of food and food traditions, writing about a wide array of tastes, from mangoes to pecans and rambutan to vanilla. Each page tells a unique story of food, accentuating how food has become a cornerstone of human experiences and identities, and how food has created fringes between heritage and memory. A read that evokes many feelings like nostalgia, joy, grief and desire.