Three Books You'll Want to Add to your Summer TBR

We always enjoy a fun summer romance read, but this year we’re making some changes and incorporating new fiction genres into the mix. We’re branching out into the dystopian and psychological fiction side of reading this summer. Transport to a different world for a few hours, and get lost in a post-apocalyptic life. Or, put yourself in the shoes of a journalist trying to get into the mind of a suspected murderer. There are many books to get lost in this summer, and we’re diving into as many as we can. Here are our top three books that are a must-read for summer. 

“I Who Have Never Known Men” by Jacqueline Harper

Forty women are imprisoned in an underground cage run by guards who treat them like animals. For years, the women spent their lives trapped, living the same day. They forgot their past lives, don’t know how they got in the cage, and have lost track of time. It’s not until the fortieth prisoner discovers her talent for keeping track of time that the other women work together to survive the cage and eventually the outside world. “I Who Have Never Known Men” by Jacqueline Harper is a heartbreaking novel of female friendship and surviving a post-apocalyptic world. 

“Butter” by Asako Yuzuki 

Gourmet cook and serial killer Manako Kajii is convicted of multiple murders of lonely businessmen. She won them over with her tasty home cooking but ended up in the Tokyo Detention Center, waiting for her trial to begin. As she sits locked away, a newspaper journalist, Rika Machida, learns about Kajii’s case and sends her a letter asking for her beef stew recipe. Kajii had never responded to anyone’s letters, phone calls, or visits until she received Machida’s letter. As Machida tries to learn everything about Kajii, she instead learns more about food through Kajii’s visits. She hopes that following Kajii’s food advice will make Kajii open up to her. However, Machida finds herself wanting Kajii’s validation and respect. The more time they spend together, the more they realize they’re more alike than they think. “Butter” by Asakao Yuzuki centers around obsession, romance, and misogyny. 

“Wild Side” by Elsie Silver

Passionate chef Tabitha is forced to marry Rhys, a secret, overprotective man, to keep custody of her nephew. Tabitha and Rhys don’t have the friendliest relationship; they have been enemies for years. Now that they’re married, they have to learn how to live and tolerate each other to be good co-parents. However, along the way, their hate turns into love. Tabitha sees a different side of Rhys that no one else has seen. Their relationship is full of witty banter and tension, making this book a fun read for the summer. It’s the third book in the Rose Hill series, which also includes “Wild Love,” “Wild Eyes,” and “Wild Card.” You don’t have to read the books in any specific order.