Thank you for these! Just read Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare on your recommendation and adored it. Have you read The Mark by Frida Isberg? It’s translated from Icelandic and totally page turning - I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it before.
So thrilled to hear you adored Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare Eliza - isn't it just so fab?! I'm elated to have given it another fan! I have not read The Mark by Frida Isberg (nor even heard of it either?!) so will be adding to the tbr - thank you!
This is amazing! House of Fury was ordered and is on its way to me. Liminality, or thresholds, is really a reading kink for me (thanks for this descriptor Petya!).
Thank you Kim!! Can barely contain my excitement to hear what you might think of House of Fury - strap in for a graphic and wild ride! Liminality is so fun - I love books that don't quite explain things to you or leave you hanging in these bizarre worlds that are familiar but not quite like our own.
Of course the chunky epic section is where we have the most overlap 😍 Blackwells is having a sale and I’m tempted to just throw a bunch of these Foundry editions in a cart and call it a day. Between you, Sara, and my own shelf I’ll be SET this summer.
I recently read Missing Person by Patrick Modiano and it would make a great addition to translated summer. It’s sparse and introspective but the action is him visiting a bunch of people trying to figure out who he is which also fills that social bonding need we have in the summer months. It’s a top read of the year so far!!
Chunky epic section overlap is not a surprise to me - I thought of you while I made it! Oof the Blackwells sale must be so tempting for you... all I say is DO IT! Especially to get a taste of Foundry. Yess I found some gems on Sara's I am very interested in! We have a good summer of reading ahead.
Thank you for this rec of Missing Person - I am intrigued! I love some soul searching protagonists too, and the fact it's a top read of the year so far?!? Adding to the cart x
Martha, this is AMAZING --what I would do to come raid your bookshelves! For my Euro Summer title I'm finally planning to read Liberaki's Three Summers, which a dear friend of mine from Greece gifted me last year; Eva Baltasar will be my Liminal Summer pick, although I have Permafrost on my shelf waiting and not Mammoth; & lastly, it might finally finally be time for me to dip into Knausgaard's fiction !! can't wait, loved this very motivating newsletter
Thank you Regan!! My library is open to you always if you ever came to my neck of the woods! Three Summers is a really gentle, lovely book. Not much fiction (which we know I love) but it offers up in other ways and is very quintessentially summer vibes. Baltasar is such a liminal baddie, I need to read Permafrost!! I don't know if it would fit into the liminal scope but maybe, only one way to find out! You've got to dip into Knausgaard's fiction it is so rewarding he is an *insane* writer. Honoured to hear it was motivating - it will be for me too now I have put out there what books I want to read this season haha *nervous gulp*
I think you can also claim your title as queen of summer reading what a guide! As you know adored The Most Secret Memory of Men. For doorstoppers I am also hoping to read Sisters although the library waitlist is still long
Hahaha ok I'll partially accept - can't fully accept until I join the monoliths who are dedicated to summer reading like Sara and Traci! We are The Most Secret Memory of Men superfans. I really want to try and read something else from Sarr this summer! I hope you can get that copy of Sisters in your hands asap!
Traci if you need it, then I MUST do it! Grateful for the offer to bounce and be a friend in the process - I am more than certain to take you up on it! Expect a panicked message in December about how the hell to go about it haha
Thank you Rebecca! I don't live in a tourist euro summer destination (can England count for a euro summer, I don't think so?!) but my thoughts are with you. It's rough! You can print out this reading list for them instead this year to help drive some away ;)
Thank you Sara! And yes I agree!! It is a little indication that you share taste with someone which is such a green flag for their other choices - I feel the exact same way with your paperback guide! I smiled at us having some overlap, we have such GREAT taste 😉
It is !!! I read it a few years ago but just didn't include it here (I had a list called pensive summer that I ultimately cut, but it was featured there!) Sorry not sorry for contributing to so many purchases - pls lmk which ones & what you thought about them once you've read them!
I love this list, Martha! So many amazing books to choose from. I love the sub theme of young village girls getting into things (because that’s what my summers were like when I was little)! And, like you, I have Natalia Ginsburg on my list since she’s influenced many of my favorite authors and I haven’t read any of her work yet.
Thank you Petya! I love the sub theme of young village girls getting into things too - if I see a book blurb and it says young girls and village I am sold! I am glad you appreciate it too. Looks like we will both be having a Ginzburg summer - she's fab. Packs a lot of punch in her novels, even more so the little ones!!
This is a fantastic concept. I'm saving this post. I've often read a book in anticipation of going somewhere specific or to retain a sense of a place after visiting it. This is better. This reminds me of what pulled me to reading in the first place when I was small -- that sense of being transported. I am very grateful for this inspiration and the list itself.
I notice that Natalia Ginzburg is on your list more than once. I promised myself I would read her in English only after mastering at least one chapter in Italian. I wonder know if I need to revisit that decision.
I think many readers read books in anticipation of being transported somewhere specific, and I find that translated books is (mostly) a good way to satisfy that. Thank you for your kind words Elizabeth, I hope these list serve you well and can offer a book or two for your summer.
Yes Ginzburg is featured several times - and I have 2 more of her books to read this summer! I find her essence so incredibly charming, her writing so taught and rich while also impressively concise. The stories are so Italian, whether in setting or character so I find them so fun to read in the summer. Haha yes revisit that decision - while the Italian is ambitious and not to be given up on, I think reading her in English is a fabulous idea.
I love this endorsement! Also intrigued at the sister depiction accuracy as someone who is a sister and has a sister. Have never really read a book that shows how rough it can be lol, more just sisters who are bffs! I hope I enjoy it too - I've kind of got high hopes which I am trying to resit as best I can
Gah! This is a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing! Just in time for planning summer reading! Can't wait to peruse these recommendations with a cup of tea and an ever-growing TBR summer list! <3
Thank you for reading and loving it Erica <3 hahaha yes get that summer reading planned, it is so much fun to do so! The best reading seasons always require a little organisation ;)
Reading House of Fury right now and it is summer debauchery at its finest!
Yesss Meghan!! It IS summer debauchery at its finest. So fun, so crazy, so wild. Enjoy everywhere it takes you!
Thank you for these! Just read Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare on your recommendation and adored it. Have you read The Mark by Frida Isberg? It’s translated from Icelandic and totally page turning - I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it before.
So thrilled to hear you adored Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare Eliza - isn't it just so fab?! I'm elated to have given it another fan! I have not read The Mark by Frida Isberg (nor even heard of it either?!) so will be adding to the tbr - thank you!
This is amazing! House of Fury was ordered and is on its way to me. Liminality, or thresholds, is really a reading kink for me (thanks for this descriptor Petya!).
Thank you Kim!! Can barely contain my excitement to hear what you might think of House of Fury - strap in for a graphic and wild ride! Liminality is so fun - I love books that don't quite explain things to you or leave you hanging in these bizarre worlds that are familiar but not quite like our own.
What a fantastic list! Several of these are already on my shelves; you’ve inspired me to curate my own little Summer TBR.
Thank you Juliana! Wait do it and then share it with me!! I'm nosy I want to know whats on your reading roster for the summer..
Of course the chunky epic section is where we have the most overlap 😍 Blackwells is having a sale and I’m tempted to just throw a bunch of these Foundry editions in a cart and call it a day. Between you, Sara, and my own shelf I’ll be SET this summer.
I recently read Missing Person by Patrick Modiano and it would make a great addition to translated summer. It’s sparse and introspective but the action is him visiting a bunch of people trying to figure out who he is which also fills that social bonding need we have in the summer months. It’s a top read of the year so far!!
Chunky epic section overlap is not a surprise to me - I thought of you while I made it! Oof the Blackwells sale must be so tempting for you... all I say is DO IT! Especially to get a taste of Foundry. Yess I found some gems on Sara's I am very interested in! We have a good summer of reading ahead.
Thank you for this rec of Missing Person - I am intrigued! I love some soul searching protagonists too, and the fact it's a top read of the year so far?!? Adding to the cart x
Martha, this is AMAZING --what I would do to come raid your bookshelves! For my Euro Summer title I'm finally planning to read Liberaki's Three Summers, which a dear friend of mine from Greece gifted me last year; Eva Baltasar will be my Liminal Summer pick, although I have Permafrost on my shelf waiting and not Mammoth; & lastly, it might finally finally be time for me to dip into Knausgaard's fiction !! can't wait, loved this very motivating newsletter
Thank you Regan!! My library is open to you always if you ever came to my neck of the woods! Three Summers is a really gentle, lovely book. Not much fiction (which we know I love) but it offers up in other ways and is very quintessentially summer vibes. Baltasar is such a liminal baddie, I need to read Permafrost!! I don't know if it would fit into the liminal scope but maybe, only one way to find out! You've got to dip into Knausgaard's fiction it is so rewarding he is an *insane* writer. Honoured to hear it was motivating - it will be for me too now I have put out there what books I want to read this season haha *nervous gulp*
Incredible list + so comprehensive. Thank you 🙏
Thank you for enjoying it Marco! <3
I think you can also claim your title as queen of summer reading what a guide! As you know adored The Most Secret Memory of Men. For doorstoppers I am also hoping to read Sisters although the library waitlist is still long
Hahaha ok I'll partially accept - can't fully accept until I join the monoliths who are dedicated to summer reading like Sara and Traci! We are The Most Secret Memory of Men superfans. I really want to try and read something else from Sarr this summer! I hope you can get that copy of Sisters in your hands asap!
Martha, we NEED your guide. If you need a person to bounce ideas off or just want a friend in the process, I am here!
Traci if you need it, then I MUST do it! Grateful for the offer to bounce and be a friend in the process - I am more than certain to take you up on it! Expect a panicked message in December about how the hell to go about it haha
Sara was my guide to guides. Happy to pay it forward.
I love this list and the idea behind it! Also, yes, a few less tourists living their euro summer in my town would be appreciated
Thank you Rebecca! I don't live in a tourist euro summer destination (can England count for a euro summer, I don't think so?!) but my thoughts are with you. It's rough! You can print out this reading list for them instead this year to help drive some away ;)
Love this, Martha!! My favorite lists/guides are the ones where I find a few books I recognize and love so I know I'll enjoy the rest!
Thank you Sara! And yes I agree!! It is a little indication that you share taste with someone which is such a green flag for their other choices - I feel the exact same way with your paperback guide! I smiled at us having some overlap, we have such GREAT taste 😉
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson is another great summer read!! Buying half of your list now tho, can’t wait
I love The Summer Book so much!!!
It is !!! I read it a few years ago but just didn't include it here (I had a list called pensive summer that I ultimately cut, but it was featured there!) Sorry not sorry for contributing to so many purchases - pls lmk which ones & what you thought about them once you've read them!
I love this list, Martha! So many amazing books to choose from. I love the sub theme of young village girls getting into things (because that’s what my summers were like when I was little)! And, like you, I have Natalia Ginsburg on my list since she’s influenced many of my favorite authors and I haven’t read any of her work yet.
Thank you Petya! I love the sub theme of young village girls getting into things too - if I see a book blurb and it says young girls and village I am sold! I am glad you appreciate it too. Looks like we will both be having a Ginzburg summer - she's fab. Packs a lot of punch in her novels, even more so the little ones!!
This is a fantastic concept. I'm saving this post. I've often read a book in anticipation of going somewhere specific or to retain a sense of a place after visiting it. This is better. This reminds me of what pulled me to reading in the first place when I was small -- that sense of being transported. I am very grateful for this inspiration and the list itself.
I notice that Natalia Ginzburg is on your list more than once. I promised myself I would read her in English only after mastering at least one chapter in Italian. I wonder know if I need to revisit that decision.
I think many readers read books in anticipation of being transported somewhere specific, and I find that translated books is (mostly) a good way to satisfy that. Thank you for your kind words Elizabeth, I hope these list serve you well and can offer a book or two for your summer.
Yes Ginzburg is featured several times - and I have 2 more of her books to read this summer! I find her essence so incredibly charming, her writing so taught and rich while also impressively concise. The stories are so Italian, whether in setting or character so I find them so fun to read in the summer. Haha yes revisit that decision - while the Italian is ambitious and not to be given up on, I think reading her in English is a fabulous idea.
Insane round up! Added a couple to my list that I hadn’t heard of. Morning star and the simple art of killing a woman are on my library holds!
And! I read the sisters this year, it’s a great book. First depiction of sisters that actually felt authentic. I hope you enjoy reading
I love this endorsement! Also intrigued at the sister depiction accuracy as someone who is a sister and has a sister. Have never really read a book that shows how rough it can be lol, more just sisters who are bffs! I hope I enjoy it too - I've kind of got high hopes which I am trying to resit as best I can
Yippee! Both are so, so fab. Enjoy!
Gah! This is a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing! Just in time for planning summer reading! Can't wait to peruse these recommendations with a cup of tea and an ever-growing TBR summer list! <3
Thank you for reading and loving it Erica <3 hahaha yes get that summer reading planned, it is so much fun to do so! The best reading seasons always require a little organisation ;)