Did you know that this July was the hottest ever recorded? Boasting scorching temperatures and incredible humidity, I actually think I’ve spent more time indoors this summer keeping cool next to the AC than I have outside in the heat! That being said, it’s been a great summer to work through my TBR pile, and I figure you Savvy Readers might be looking for your next great read to curl up in the cool with!

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan

Are you ready to escape into a fantastic world of epic proportions? Then Washington Black is for you! I can’t count the number of times I’ve been recommended this book, but only five pages in and I was hooked. Incredibly well-written, Washington Black reads like a modern-day Don Quixote, in which Washington Black, a young boy escaping slavery and Christopher Wilde, an eccentric abolitionist embark, on a wondrous journey that takes them from the blistering cane fields of Barbados, to the Canadian Arctic, London, and Morroco. Filled with wonder, Washington Black is the exact definition of a page-turner and is the perfect book for readers ready to be swept away.

The Last Widow by Karin Slaughter

If you’re already a fan of Karin Slaughter, you won’t want to miss her latest thriller The Last Widow! In this book, Slaughter brings back beloved characters Will Trent and Sara Linton for a story that’s filled with surprise twists and disturbing secrets. Centred around a mysterious kidnapping and a devastating explosion, The Last Widow tackles homegrown terrorism and white nationalism in a plot that will have you biting your nails until the very last page. New to Karin Slaughter? The Last Widow also works as a great standalone novel that everyone can enjoy!

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

Devastatingly funny and dare I say, a little bit sexy, if this novel isn’t on your summer reading list I highly suggest you squeeze it in! Georgette’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but Georgie’s frankly over it, preferring her work as a children’s party entertainer (read: party clown). Unfortunately, working as a children’s entertainer doesn’t leave much opportunity for romance, until Travis comes to town. Major league baseball’s hottest rookie, Travis’ career came to a screeching halt when an injury sent him home. Now flipping houses to make ends meet, his best friend’s little sister Georgie catches his eye and desire. The perfect steamy summer romance to enjoy wherever you’re keeping cool!

The New Girl by Daniel Silva

Do you love glitz, glamour, and political alliances? Make The New Girl your next great read! At an exclusive Swiss private school, the new girl has all the students and staff talking. Rumoured to be the daughter of a wealthy international businessman, in truth, her father is the infamous crown prince of Saudi Arabia, whose political choices put his daughter in the crosshairs of a deadly war for control of the Middle East. An incredible thriller centred on vengeance, betrayal, and political power, this book will keep you captivated from cover to cover.

The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz

If you’re anything like me, chances are you often find yourself indoors binge-watching true-crime series and feeling guilty about it later. Fortunately, The Sentence is Death is one murder mystery you won’t regret. An utterly entertaining and easy-to-read whodunit, our story begins with the brutal murder of celebrity-divorce lawyer Richard Pryce. Bludgeoned to death by a bottle of 1982 Chateau Lafite worth its weight in gold, it isn’t long before Private Investigator Daniel Hawthorne and his sidekick Anthony (the author himself!) step in to investigate. But as Hawthorne pursues his investigation, it soon becomes clear that he, too, has secrets to hide that Anthony must expose –even at the risk of death.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

If you haven’t already read The Tattooist of Auschwitz I highly recommend it as the perfect book to beat the heat with! An incredible tale of hope, love, and courage, The Tattooist is one novel I could not put down. Based on interviews conducted with Holocaust survivor Ludwig Sokolov, this story is one which will suck you in and spit you right back out.

Our Stop by Laura Jane Williams

If you spend a lot of your time commuting, chances are you’ve come to recognize some of the strangers you share a subway car with. But have you ever wondered what it’d be like to be noticed by one of them? That’s exactly what happens in Our Stop, and it is just as endearing as I hoped! Incredibly funny and heartwarming to read, Our Stop is a fantastic summer read for the couch or your commute! Bonus: Our Stop is also this week’s 50 Book Pledge Featured Read!

Well, Savvy Readers, which one of these books would you most like to stay inside with? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter @SavvyReader.

That’s all for now! Stay cool out there.

Marisol

Follow me on Instagram or Twitter @marisolfokes