TOP 5 | Summer Bank Holiday reads

Bank holiday weekend is here and I have some ideas of what you can do this weekend – read of course! And if you’re struggling to know what to read, I have some great recommendations. Whether you want something fun and summery, or laugh-your-arse-off hilarious, this list is the key to the best bank holiday ever.

These five books are all quick reads that will have you constantly turning the pages and not putting the books down until you get to the final page!

The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven

YA Contemporary

Yet again, I have found a way to shout about this book from the rooftops, and honestly, I cannot think of a better time to devour this book (and the sequel if you’re really feeling it) than a bank holiday weekend.

This book is hilarious, empowering and damn well one of the best books I have had the joy of reading. Izzy O’Neil is an incredible narrator and now, this book has been (quite rightfully) awarded the Comedy Women in Print prize – so I’m not the only one who thinks Laura Steven is hilarious!

Find my full review for The Exact Opposite of Okay here, and the sequel, A Girl Called Shameless here.

[GR | BUY]

Representation: Poverty rep / socio-economic diversity, LGBTQIA+ (lesbian) characters, PoC characters
Content warnings: Slut-shaming, outing, victim blaming, revenge porn. Please research for more if you think this book may be triggering.

“This entitlement has to stop. The world owes you nothing. Girls owe you nothing.”

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

NA Rom Com

This is probably one of the only books I have ever read that I still think about daily. Plus, so many of my friends have been reading it recently that it’s making me need to reread it – maybe I’ll be hitting it up this bank holiday weekend too!

If you’ve read my June or Mid-Year wrap up, you would have seen the that I laughed while reading this book so damn hard that there’s a video of it on twitter.

[GR | BUY]

Representation: LGBTQIA+ (bisexual, trans) characters, PoC (esp. latinx) characters.
Content warnings: Outing, homophobia (negatively portrayed), past loss of loved one. Please research for more if you think this book may be triggering.

“The phrase ‘see attached bibliography’ is the single sexiest thing you have ever written to me.”

A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood

YA Historical Romance

I read this last year and honestly it was the perfect read for the summer so I couldn’t recommend this enough for bank holiday. Set in 1920s Cornwall, this soft romance is filled with adventure, swoon, descriptive and lush writing, plus it’s super easy-reading.

I also just finished Laura Wood’s follow-up YA, Under A Dancing Star, another soft historical romance which is a light retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. I would also totally recommend that for this weekend too!

Find my mini review here.

[GR | BUY]

Representation: Socio-economic diversity.
Content warnings: Racism, homophobia (both challenged, I believe), alcohol abuse. Please research for more if you think this book may be triggering.

“I found the Cardew House, a house full of shadows, and I knew, with a huge sense of relief, that I belonged there.”

Invictus by Ryan Graudin

YA Sci Fi

This is still probably one of my favourite sci-fi books, just because of the sheer light-hearted fun and capers. It has time-travel, space heists, ancient and futuristic Rome, the Titanic, a red panda companion animal and a character called IMOGEN.

It’s been almost two years now since I read this so I think a reread is on the horizon for this!

Find my full review here.

[GR | BUY]

Representation: Mental health (anxiety and possible OCD).
Content warnings: Implied / possible OCD representation. Please research for more if you think this book may be triggering.

“Time flies when you’re plundering history.”

Viper (Isles of Storm and Sorrow #1) by Bex Hogan

YA Fantasty

Well, this is less light and fluffy as the rest of the above options. But it’s pirates, badass women fighting for themselves, their lives and what they believe in. Plus, getting lost in a swash-buckling fantasy is what everyone needs this bank holiday weekend!

Viper has been one of the most promising series-starters I’ve read recently and I’m so excited for more in this world. Plus, hate to love and friends to lovers combined. Just saying.

[GR | BUY]

Representation: LGBTQIA+ characters, PoC characters.
Content warnings: Abusive parental relationship, torture, violence, grief / loss. Please research for more if you think this book may be triggering.

“He will make me a killer. Or he will have me killed. That is my destiny.”

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What are you reading this weekend? Have you read anything recently that you think is a perfect bank holiday read? Let me know in the comments!

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