Whether you’re going to be spending your summer by the pool or in the garden, here are your must-reads:

When Emmy applies for a job as a female war correspondent, she lands the job of being a typist for the strict Mrs Bird and her problem pages at a magazine instead. Mrs Bird refuses to answer any letters that border on the subjects that she disapproves of: letters about relationships, love and family problems go unanswered. Until Emmy comes along.
Dear Mrs Bird by AJ Pearce published by Picador RRP £12.99 (hardcover)

An exquisite read. The book begins in October in 1948, Japan. Our narrator is retired artist Masuji Ono and we learn about him and his family and friends, their roles in the war and the dark secret that his family tries to hide. Beautifully written of course, Kazuo Ishiguro’s words sing from the page.
An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro published by Faber RRP £7.99 (paperback)

I didn’t really realise there was a theme to this post until now. We follow two sisters in the war: Vianne and Isabelle. Vianne lives in the countryside with her husband and daughter, peacefully. Until World War Two breaks out and the family are separated. Compelling and sensory, it is a fantastic novel.

A new book for me to read! I’ll update this post as soon as I’ve finished it. From the blurb on the back the story is set in Cyprus in 1972. It looks absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to start reading!