Lazy Lili R.This is going to be the summer of uncertainty. Will we be able to travel? Will we go to festivals? Will we continue working from home? Will life return to normal? (Probably not). There is, however, some certainty: the books you pre-order will be delivered on time.
As some countries ease out of the lockdown, we look for things that take us back to normality. We selected the best non-fiction (strictly covid-free!) books released this summer for you to look forward to. You might notice that all of the links will lead you to independent bookstores on BookShop.org, because we think it’s a genius initiative, and that supporting small shops, and emissions-free delivery feel better than Amazon.
Get your credit card and reading glasses ready. We dare you not to pre-order anything.
Millennial Love by Olivia Petter
Can heterosexual sex be feminist? Are dating apps the future of romance? Is reality TV the end of love? Based on one of our previously recommended podcasts of the same name, and endorsed by Pandora Sykes, this book seems like a real thrill.
In her debut book, journalist and podcaster Olivia Petter explores dating, sex and love, based on her own experiences and the lessons she learned from previous guests on the Millennial Love podcast. Buckle in for social commentary, feminist theory and some serious namedropping (after all, she interviewed Erika Lust, Sara Pascoe and Munroe Bergdorf, amongst others).
Out in July. Pre-order HERE.
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
If you read previous books by Matt Haig, we assume you have already pre-ordered. For those who haven’t: Haig is one of the most brilliant writers of our time, writing about mental health and emotions (this argument is backed by Dolly Alderton, Jameela Jamil, The Sunday Times, Jodi Picoult etc.). In his book coming out this summer, he mixes memoir with philosophy to explore self-love, hope and happiness.
“This is the book to pick up when you need the wisdom of a friend, the comfort of a hug or a reminder that hope comes from unexpected places,” a Waterstones salesperson writes. And you know what? We will need that. Whoever the text is coming from.
Out in July. Order HERE or the signed edition HERE.
Living While Black: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Racial Trauma by Guilaine Kinouani
With a very Instagram-friendly cover, a very important topic and great endorsement (Candice Carty-Williams and Robin DiAngelo), Guilaine Kinouani’s book looks like an important piece of the year. The radical psychologist and therapist writes about empowerment, love, trauma and race based on research, case study, own experience and her blog, Race Reflections.
Out in June. Pre-order HERE.
We Need To Talk About Money by Otegha Uwagba
Do you know what makes the world go round (apart from gravity and stuff)? Otegha Uwagba certainly does, and unlike many of us, she isn’t afraid to talk about it. Pay gap, evictions, toxic workplaces, salary increase, class and privilege – these are just some of the difficult topics to be explored. Part cultural commentary, part memoir, this looks like a book our grandparent’s generation’s historians might study to get to know us better.
Out in July. Pre-order HERE.
Misfits: A Personal Manifesto by Michaela Coel
OK this book doesn’t actually come out until the beginning of September, but that’s basically summer, right? And if there’s an artist we can forgive for not releasing her book during the summer, shouldn’t it be Michaela Coel, the one, the brilliant, the writer and star of I May Destroy You and Bubble Gum? Her first book tells personal anecdotes with wit, a sharp eye and an even sharper pen. This is an essential book for your inner misfit (and for any I May Destroy You superfan).
Out in September. Pre-order it HERE.
Written by Lili Rutai. Check out her most recent pieces here!