What we've been reading this summer

At this time of year, shops tend to bombard customers with huge selections of 'perfect' summer reads. Well, instead of showing you a table piled high with every single book published this August, we thought we'd tell you about the books that we've actually been reading so far this summer...
Here is the first of our favourites:

When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman

I'd been dying to read this ever since we received a postcard of the cover last Christmas and finally got round to it during a week by the sea in Sussex this summer! The beautiful cover may have been the first thing I liked about the book, but it's by no means the only thing.

The mysterious blurb doesn't give much away, but this is essentially the story of the complex relationship between a brother and sister. From early childhood, Sarah Winman follows the life of Elly, through friendships, family changes, first loves and first losses. Throughout her life however, one character is central, and that is Joe; brother, friend and protector. We learn as much about Joe as we do Elly, and both of these characters are real and loveable, as are the supporting cast of wonderful characters who each have an impact on Elly's life at some point.
To tell more of the story would spoil the journey of reading the book, but it's safe to say that there are tears and laughter in abundance in this wonderful debut novel, and it's one that you'd be mad to miss out on. It was well worth the wait!

General Fiction. Published by Headline £7.99