Summer Book Haul

This time last year I was wrapping up a blissful three month break from work, and boy do I miss those days. Instead, it’s the end of the trash fire that 2016 has been, and there is no break in sight. On a more positive note, I do have a stack of great summer reads that I can’t wait to get stuck into. Here are some of the books I’ve picked up to read this season –

Fearless by Fiona Higgins – Six strangers from across the world meet on the tropical island of Bali to attend a course designed to help them face their fears. Their backgrounds are as diverse as their fears – which range from flying, public speaking and heights, through to intimacy, failure and death. Friendships and even romance blossom as the participants are put through a series of challenges which are unusual, confronting and sometimes hilarious. A week of fun in the sun suddenly turns into something far more serious, however, when the unthinkable happens – a tragic disaster that puts the group in deadly danger, testing the individual courage of every member.

Shift by Em Bailey – The rumor mill is spinning when Miranda Vaile arrives at school along with whispers that she murdered her parents. But Olive Corbett wants nothing to do with the new girl. After “the incident,” Olive’s been the subject of too much gossip, and now she just wants to take her pills and stay under the radar. But even from the sidelines, there’s no ignoring the fact that there’s something not quite right about Miranda. How can this mousy girl step right into the popular group, become the queen bee’s best friend, and slowly seize control herself? It’s almost parasitic. But who would ever believe crazy Olive, the girl who has a habit of letting her imagination run away with her? And what if Olive is Miranda’s next target?

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando – Eleven years ago, six five-year-olds went missing without a trace. After all this time, the people left behind have moved on, or tried to. Until today. Now five of those kids are back. They’re sixteen, and they are … fine. Scarlett comes home and finds a mother she barely recognises, and doesn’t really know who she’s supposed to be, either. But she remembers Lucas. Lucas remembers Scarlett, too, but they can’t recall where they’ve been or what happened to them. Neither of them remember the sixth victim, Max. He doesn’t come back and everyone wants answers.

Summer Skin by Kirsty Eagar – Jess Gordon is out for revenge. Last year the jocks from Knights College tried to shame her best friend. This year she and a hand-picked college girl gang are going to get even… The lesson: don’t mess with Unity girls. The target: Blondie, a typical Knights stud, arrogant, cold… and smart enough to keep up with Jess. A neo-riot girl with a penchant for fanning the flames meets a rugby-playing sexist pig – sworn enemies or two people who happen to find each other when they’re at their most vulnerable? It’s all Girl meets Boy, Girl steals from Boy, seduces Boy, ties Boy to a chair and burns Boy’s stuff. Just your typical love story.