Summer’s here – and for once it actually feels like summer! Hopefully you are all trying to make the most of the weather and any time off you might have.
Whether you’re jetting off somewhere sunny, staying local, or just enjoying a slower pace between terms, it’s the perfect time to get stuck into a good book (we are librarians, so of course we are going to think this a good idea).
At Durham University Library, we’ve got everything you need to build your perfect summer reading TBR (To Be Read) pile, from gripping thrillers and swoon-worthy romances to thought-provoking non-fiction and magical escapes. And the best part? You don’t even need to worry about baggage allowance for the flight. With the Libby app, you can borrow 5 eBooks/audiobooks (yes, audiobooks do count as reading!) at any one time, straight to your phone or tablet. Prefer the feel (and/or smell – we don’t judge) of a real book in your hands? We’ve got plenty of popular titles available in print as well.
If you are not sure where to start in finding that great summer read, here are some titles that have been proving popular this year at Durham University Library amongst staff and students.
Romance & Feel-Good Fiction
Dearest reader,
One cannot help but be swept away by tales of passion and the pursuit of true love. Within these suggestions lie stories of stolen glances across and hearts caught between duty and desire. Whether you favour a slow-burning courtship or a scandalous rendezvous there is something here for you.
- Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
- The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
- We Belong Together by Beth Moran
- Work Trip by Chloe Ford
- Breaking the Ice by Amy Andrews
Mystery & Thriller
From shadowy alleyways to locked-room puzzles, these gripping reads are packed with twists, tension, and the kind of mysteries that are tricky to put down. Perfect for long summer nights when you’re craving a clever plot, a cunning villain, or a detective who always stays one step ahead.
- Butter by Asako Yuzuki
- Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
- Nelson & Macilwraith by K. Sterling
- Sick To Death by Chris Bridges
- We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
Fantasy & Sci-Fi
Escape the ordinary and journey into the extraordinary. From enchanted kingdoms to distant galaxies and time-bending adventures, these fantasy and sci-fi reads will transport you far beyond the everyday.
- All Systems Red by Martha Wells
- Babel by R.F.Kuang
- Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
- I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
- Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab
Literary Fiction
A refined selection of novels that blend beautiful prose with deep emotional insight. These stories explore identity, love, and the human condition
- All Fours by Miranda July
- Orbital by Samantha Harvey
- The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
- Evenings and Weekends by Oisin McKenna
- On the Calculation of Volume 1 by Solvej Balle
🧠 Memoir & Biography
Step into the shoes of extraordinary people and experience the world through their eyes. These memoirs and biographies offer powerful, inspiring and moving personal journeys.
- Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
- Taste by Stanley Tucci
- I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest with You by Miranda Hart
- Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
- My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner
Self Help
Empowering reads to boost confidence, build resilience, and inspire personal growth.
- The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
- Rich Girl Nation by Katie Gatti Tassin
- Find Your People by Jennie Allen
- I’m Not Lazy, I’m on Energy Saving Mode by Dancing Snail
- What It Takes by Sarina Wiegman
Whatever title you discover for your summer reading we hope you enjoy. Happy reading from all of us at Durham University Library!
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