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F A B's avatar

Oh I love this post so much. Also, for July, I’ve loved Necessary Fiction, The Other Wife and Endling. Got my eye on Grand Hotel now!

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

how you stay on top of all the new releases are beyond me but I mad respect it haha. I read your Endling review and am really looking forward to that one

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Elisabeth Donnelly's avatar

Judging a book by a cover, what are we into lately? I sort of like the dramatic cover of The Bombshell but am feeling a little ennui re: book covers.

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

oooo say more. whats your fave era for book covers. also how did you feel about the bombshell? Its on my radar

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Leigh Stein's avatar

Is it possibly too early for book of the summer?

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

no way. its July!!! but maybe 👀

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Jenovia 🕸️'s avatar

I used to live in Tunis so I’m adding The Sisters to my TBR 😍

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

you won't regret it. its a great read

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Joe Hovde's avatar

I was just recommended Evelyn Waugh and am gonna try it. Will let you know how it goes

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

please do and let me know which one of his works you pick first

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John Birmingham's avatar

This makes me feel guilty about all the books I haven’t read

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

you and me both. need to get my game back for July

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Colette Keane's avatar

Was just talking yesterday with friends about the lack of consensus around book of the summer this year! It’s a real void. I find myself reading a lot more back catalogue, and have noticed most of the bookish substackers I follow reading / recommending the same. Not necessarily a bad thing: I just read Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrot and it delivered everything I’d want from a contemporary summer read (but written in 1925!!)

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

ex wife is one of those books I really need to get to. its back in storage! im seeing the same things with the creators I follow and honestly im here for it. nothing released this year has gripped me wildly either r

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Crone Life's avatar

I'm just warning you that I found Wild Dark Shore a huge disappointment--but that doesn't mean you shouldn't read it! I prefer to sit on my shady deck and read. The beach is for frolicking.

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

its my next read so I'll have my verdict soon. I think I'll find it similar to how I felt about the god of the woods. super satisfying but not the bets thing ever

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Nic Marna's avatar

Really fascinated by the lack of book of the summer too!! I feel like we should just……… pick one? Very Stick It (2006) when the gymnasts pick who makes it onto the podium.

Also, loving your book club POV 🩷

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

thank youuu. and im glad its the summer book thing is not just in my head. there just isn't that one book thats getting a ton of buzz

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

I’d say the Names probs is? It sold in 20 countries at once which is unheard of for a debut. I’ve reed a ton of press on it. I wonder if there will be an equivalent of All Fours/ Paper Palace…

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amelie's avatar

cassandra at the wedding sounds similar to I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue, which is def more modern but very laugh out loud funny and depressing at the same time

another novel to try is The Names by Florence Knapp it gives small things like these but very very very VERY worth the storylines, domestic abuse grief, beauty of everything healing with time xx

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

I've been seeing a lot about The Names everywhere the storyline itself doesn't grip me but the reviews ive heard have me really curious so maybe I'll check it out!

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

It’s very emosh

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MT's avatar

“incredibly self aware and at times stunningly obtuse” perfect way to describe Cassandra! I’m rooting for her and yet beyond frustrated

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

exactly. literary gold

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emily's avatar

The Compound sounds wild… have you read it?!

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

No not yet it’s back at home but I think it’s going to be a fun one

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Emma Gannon's avatar

I’ve got two books on the go at the moment: Among Friends by Hal Ebbott for a novel and Lola Kirk’s new book for memoir x

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

Emma I’m literally in the weirdest position because I got a lot of summer release proof copies like Among Friends (right up my alley) but they are all in storage back in Germany. And now when I go to book stores I feel taunted because buying a 30 dollar hardback makes no sense when I have the book already! So it’s tough haha 😆. How are you enjoying it though? Love a messages family saga vibe

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Emma Gannon's avatar

Gah that IS a tricky sitchu!! You could try asking them to re-send you the proofs;) I’m sure they have enough copies. Will keep you posted, as I’ve only just started! I totally agree with you re “beach read”, I never read at the beach! X

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

Couldn’t get into the Ebbott, should I give it another go?

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emily's avatar

girlll you could never over exaggerate your own importance!

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

Can’t disagree with you there 😉

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Emma Ray-Wong's avatar

BEAUTIFUL. love your recs as always, can’t wait to pick some of these up 😍

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Caroline Beuley's avatar

I loved the Paper Palace, so I think I need to check out Sleep! And also, I'm right there with you, I think I read less in summer! I am much more likely to read during the quiet of fall or winter than on a beach!!

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