10 Indie Summer Must-Reads

10 Indie Summer Must-Reads

Summer isn’t over just yet, and neither is our summer reading binge! Just in case you’ve already burned through your summer TBR pile (burning books not encouraged), we’ve decided to put together 10 of the hottest new indie releases on the shelves right now for you to sink your teeth into –– trust us, there’s something for everyone here!

Shooting Out the Lights by Kim Fairley

At age 24, Kim Fairley fell head over heels for her 57-year-old husband. He was everything she could have ever dreamed of –– that is, until their honeymoon phase began to fade. As the couple settled in to married life, secrets from Vern’s past were brought to the surface. When the secrets of her husband’s family and hometown drama come out, The two must work through many challenges to try and save their relationship and decide whether or not they believe it is worth saving.

Pop Song by Larissa Pham

A collection of essays surrounding Author Larissa Pham’s experiences as a woman and her relationship with love in a variety of ways. Larissa Pham focuses on her travels across the world encountering love, drugs, art and more. A striking and relatable portrait of what it’s like to be a woman, we deem Pop Song a worthy summer read for those who want to feel seen, heard, and inspired by their fellow females.  

Fly Safe by Vicki Cody

During the first Gulf War Vicki Cody and her husband, Dick –– a War commander –– must communicate only through written letters. In a back-and-forth depiction of the couple’s letters to one another, Vicki is a worried and lonely wife praying for the safe return of her husband. Dick’s responses, a vibrant portrait of the horrors of the Gulf War and a detailed look into history. This couple sustains their love through the written word in the face of unimaginable struggle. We’re not sure whether to tell you to enjoy or grab the tissues (so let’s settle for both).

Made in China by Anna Qu

A teenaged Chinese immigrant forced to work in her family’s garment factory, Anna Qu has no idea that a strained relationship with her mother, coupled with a conversation she has with Child Protective Services will be what changes her life forever. Years into adulthood as she’s working to build a Manhattan start-up, she’s forced to revisit her traumatic childhood to get the ball rolling –– in the form of her OCFS report. The report, littered with misinformation, has Anna deep diving into the parts of her life she would never have to relive in order to take charge of her narrative and ensure her future. This powerful memoir is sure to be read in one sitting, there is simply no other way.

 

The Long-Lost Jules by Jane Elizabeth Hughes

Amy lives a typically quiet life in London –– or so she thought. When a handsome Oxford professor (and professional stalker) shows up at her door and dubs her the long-lost descendant of King Henry VIII’s late wife, her much-too-plain world does a complete tailspin, and she’s on the run from people who all want something from a woman who doesn’t exist –– or does she? Chalked full of romance, adventure, and a little espionage, Jane Hughes’ latest is sure to be the read of the summer.

Now Beacon, Now Sea by Christopher Sorrentino

This memoir is the story of author Christopher Sorrentino and his journey to understand his late mothers life. His mother Victoria grew up in South Bronx with a very unpredictable life. Sorrentino was forced to watch his mother lose interest in everything that once brought her joy. In search of answers, Sorrentino discovers something about his own identity that causes him to question everything. With his own perception of his mother not matching her birth certificate, Sorrentino must work to uncover not only her journey, but that of their family. Dramatic and enthralling in the best way possible, Now Beacon, Now Sea, is sure to wow all of its readers.

 

Rebellion, 1967 by Janet Luongo

In the midst of chaos, all 17-year-old Janet wants is to go to college. As a means of breaking away from toxic family members, Janet moves to Jamaica, Queens with her sister for a fresh start. An intense passion for her studies and her new Manhattan lifestyle, she marches among the likes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in search of racial justice. Little did Janet know, this dream of hers included finding love with Carmen, a black man. Upon her family’s immense disapproval of her choice, Janet leaves her life behind and struggles through heartbreak, sexual harassment and other atrocities that will force her to seek help to turn her life back around. Janet Luongo’s stunning work is raw, passionate and sincere to its very core.

No Hiding in Boise by Kim Hooper

A shooting in a local bar brings three seemingly different women together. Angie receives a phone call from Boise PD in the middle of the night claiming her husband was involved in a shooting. Completely expecting to see him lying in bed beside her, her world is pushed from its axis. Tessa, a bartender present at the shooting struggles with being the only one who was spared. Joyce is the final woman who is told by police that her son Jed was both the shooter, and now one of his own victims. This novel connects three women through an unspeakable tragedy as they struggle to understand why this all could have happened. Not for the faint of heart, but a compelling story of empowerment through grief, nonetheless.

 

Anarchy in High Heels by Denise Larson

This memoir follows Denise Larson and the creation of her feminist group Les Nickelettes. Denise Larson was 24 when she created Les Nickelettes to celebrate women, feminism and breaking stereotypes. The group celebrated their femininity through skits, bonding and pure sisterhood, taking Denise on what eventually was remembered as the most pivotal time of her life. Without this journey, Larson would never have realized the importance of “girl power”, and an ironclad feminine support group. Whether you’re having trouble coming into your own, or want to be reminded of the bonds of friendship, we highly suggest digging your heels into this powerful memoir.

Black Box by Shiori Ito 

(TW: Sexual Abuse) Black Box tells the powerful story Shiori Ito, her sexual assault, and the brutal silencing she felt. Ito’s life changed forever that fateful night in 2015 when she met up with a fellow reporter for drinks. Having remembered her attacker, Ito immediately sought help from police, who told her that there would never be any justice for her.

Little did those same police know, in 2017, Ito’s story would spark Japan’s #MeToo movement. Black Box serves as a reminder of the cruelty of world justice systems when it comes to attacks against women. But it demands that women never remain silent, because no matter the assumptions justice is always possible. This story strikes a chord in everyone regardless of gender, and it’s one that we highly recommend picking up before the summer is out. 

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, On Writing