June’s Must-Read Releases That Will Hook You From Page One

Summer’s here, and there’s nothing better than getting stuck into a brilliant new book while you soak up some rays. This month, we’ve picked out a few standout reads we can’t stop talking about – from gritty coming-of-age stories to moving tales about family, identity and finding your place in the world. Whether you’re after something raw and real or beautifully written and thought-provoking, these are the June releases to bookmark...

The Essential Read

So People Know It’s Me by Francesca Maria Benvenuto  

“An important novel set on the juvenile prison island of Nisida. Fifteen-year-old Zeno, raised on the tough streets of Naples, survives by delivering drugs, stealing, and dreaming of love with Natalina. But when a rival pulls a gun, Zeno lands behind bars, separated from everything he holds dear. From his cell, he begins to write his life story, hoping to earn a visit home. This novel gives a voice to lives too often overlooked and marginalised, capturing the fragile humanity behind Naples’ toughest streets.” – Samantha de Haas, Creative Production Manager 

The Unmissable Debut

Misinterpretation by Ledia Xhoga  

“Moving between present-day United States and Albania, this emotional thriller explores the fluid space between two worlds and two languages. In New York City, an Albanian interpreter reluctantly agrees to work with Alfred, a Kosovar torture survivor, during his therapy sessions, knowing that his trauma will resurface her own. As Alfred’s nightmares stir up her own buried memories, cracks begin to appear in her marriage. Will a trip to Albania to reunite with her mother and her childhood home provide the closure she is looking for?” – Maria Padget, Book Club Director 

The Coming-Of-Age Novel

Paradise Garden by Elena Fischer  

“Paradise Garden begins on the eve of summer break, where 14-year-old Billie’s world is shaped by her mother Marika’s warmth and imagination, despite the struggles of life in a high-rise estate. When her Hungarian grandmother arrives unexpectedly, Billie’s life is upended. Grieving and searching for answers, she sets off alone to find the father she’s never met. Longlisted for the 2023 German Book Prize, this is a tender, coming-of-age story of loss, resilience and longing for home.” – Samantha de Haas, Creative Production Manager 

The New-Gen Dystopia  

Awakened by Kelechi Okafor  

“Set in a near-future where technology is fully integrated in our homes, and a humanoid AI is running for London Mayor, Pels is a journalist desperate to get to the bottom of a spate of disappearances of young Black British people who are then found dead by bodies of water. Travelling between London and Benin and examining modern day concerns about AI, Awakened is a bold imagining of our future through the lens of ancient spirituality.” – Maria Padget, Book Club Director 

The Perfect Summer Read

Kakigori Summer by Emily Itami 

“As refreshing as the iced dessert it’s named after, Kakigori Summer follows three sisters – Rei, Kiki and Ai – who couldn’t be more different. When J-pop star Ai is papped kissing an older married man – the head of her record label – the three sisters retreat to the remote seaside town where they grew up. Ahead of them is a summer of sunshine, beaches and people who know and love them. But returning home also means facing the impact of their mother’s death 15 years ago. An atmospheric and deeply moving story about sisterhood, memory and how loss shapes us.” – Maria Padget, Book Club Director