You won’t be surprised that at Zee Feed, our definition of a ‘beach read’ is a lot meatier than most recommendations. While there is nothing wrong with indulging in a trope-filled thriller or an easy-to-read romance, our ideal summer read is a book that presents big ideas, challenges your way of thinking, and inspires big feelings. Here is what’s on our to-be-read list for the 2023/2024 summer holidays – fiction, non-fiction and audiobooks.
FICTION
Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by By Shankari Chandran
There is a reason Chandran’s novel won this year’s Miles Franklin Award – it’s got it all. Set in the Western Sydney-based Cinnamon Gardens Nursing Home, established by Tamil couple couple Maya and Zakhir, you learn the colourful past lives of the home’s residents. With a busy kitchen, beautiful gardens and full schedule of recreational activities, on paper Cinnamon Gardens should be a haven… but prejudices inevitably threaten its very existence.
The story explores themes of race, community, memory, inequity, and family, revealed in timelines that span from the Sri Lankan Civil War to modern day Australia. Get a copy here.
But the Girl by Jessica Zhan Mei Yu
The blurb says it best: “But the Girl is a wry and razor-sharp coming-of-age novel about belonging, alienation, and the exquisite pleasure and pain of girlhood.” It follows Girl as she travels from Australia to Scotland for an artist’s residency, with a goal of writing “a postcolonial novel”. However, Girl does very little writing and much more thinking — about her migrant upbringing in Australia, her relationship with her parents, how she perceives herself and of course, since this is a coming-of-age novel, how she is perceived.
To top it all off, Girl reflects on her troubled relationship with author Sylvia Plath, who she’s been obsessed with since childhood. Get a copy here.
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
Minor Detail is a haunting exploration of the lingering impact of violence across generations. This powerful novella weaves together two parallel narratives, separated by decades, yet united by a shared tragedy – a brutal crime committed by Israeli soldiers one year after the 1948 Nakba, rediscovered by a young Palestinian woman 70 years later. Shibli’s stark prose and keen observations bring to life the enduring trauma of a offering a profound meditation on memory, identity, and the weight of history.
It’s worth noting that Shibli is Palestinian, and Minor Detail was unfairly removed from an award ceremony at the Frankfurt Book Fair after the October 7 attacks this year. Get a copy here.
The Survivalists by Kashana Cauley
If you’re looking for dark comedy read, this is our pick. The premise is outrageous in the best way: Aretha, a highly ambitious Black lawyer whose parents have recently died, finds herself living with her new boyfriend… and his doomsday prepping, gun hoarding, black market trading roommates. It’s tense! The Survivalists tackles pressing questions – like what should one be forced to put up with to keep a roof over their heads? And is preparing for a dystopian future any weirder than dedicating your life to corporate success?
A very sharp, witty novel that’s just the right amount of bleak. Get a copy here.
Gunflower by Laura Jean McKay
A strange and wonderful collection of short stories, set in a slightly ‘wrong’ version of the real world – but while the events in the stories are clearly fantastical, they are absolutely reflective of things happening in the here and now. McKay explores feminism, class struggles, the climate crisis through stories like a family of cat fur farmers who have a chance to free their stock; a group of Covid-deniers trying to rationalise as some members get sick; and the title story about the ‘Gunflower’ ship performing abortions in neutral waters getting hit by an enormous storm.
It’s an uncomfortable view of Australia, and the world, that will really push your thinking. Get a copy here.
NON-FICTION
Stories That Want To Be Told: The Long Lede Anthology by various authors
The anthology features young Australian writers mentored by experienced journalists to produce ten brilliant pieces of long form journalism. The topics are wide-ranging, from an in-depth portrait of Edward de Lacy Evans, a trans-masc blacksmith who emigrated to Victoria during the 1850s gold rush; to the abandonment of diverse communities in the consent education movement; an investigation into coverups at NSW labs developing a ‘miracle’ cure for cancer; and how climate change is impacting food supply chains.
With highly engaging narratives and meticulous research, Stories That Want To Be Told might be the smartest read of the summer. Get a copy here.
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H
A powerful account of one person’s journey navigating faith, queerness and intersectionality. Lamya is a queer, South Asian teen, raised in a Muslim household within a Middle Eastern country. When they move to the U.S. and come out, Lamya’s identity evolves again and we see the world through her lens as a hijabi who is also a self-proclaimed butch lesbian. Hijabi Butch Blues puts Lamya’s own experiences next to stories from the Quran, making insightful comparisons about how we view supposedly conflicting identities: faithful and queer; independent and devoted; immigrant and American.
Above all, it’s a hopeful story about building an authentic life. Get a copy here.
Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine and Myth in a Man-Made World by Elinor Cleghorn
Warning: This book will leave you feeling enraged… quickly followed by pure determination. Unwell Women is a compelling exploration of women’s health and the pervasive myths that have shaped medical practices. Cleghorn meticulously examines the historical mistreatment of women in healthcare, shedding light on the gender biases and systemic neglect that have influenced medical knowledge. From pain-tolerance lies we’ve been told, to chronic illness facts that will have you booking a doc appointment ASAP, it’s enlightening in the best and worst ways.
Blending storytelling with thorough research, Unwell Women will invite you to reconsider entrenched beliefs about women’s health and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable approach. Get a copy here.
Tissue by Madison Griffiths
A bold, intimate and very personal exploration of abortion – including the author’s own. With unfiltered honesty, Griffiths shares personal stories and interviews, offering a raw and unapologetic look at the emotional, physical, and societal aspects of abortion. It’s especially necessary in a world where some countries are trying to make safe abortion more accessible, while others actively strip away the right to choose (Tissue challenges readers to confront the real-world implications of abortion laws).
Griffiths’ thought-provoking perspective on reproductive rights is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the topic better. Get a copy here.
BETTER AS AN AUDIO-BOOK
The Woman In Me by Britney Spears, narrated by Michelle Williams
If you have not already read or listened to Ms. Spears’ heart-wrenching and revealing memoir… now is the time. The pop icon does not hold back, delving into her childhood, what happened behind-the-scenes of the most famous moments from her career, the manipulation that trapped her in the conservatorship and her eventual escape from her father’s control. The compassion and empathy Britney demonstrates, even to those who betrayed her, is truly aspirational; her resilience incredible.
Why listen instead of read it? Narrator Michelle Williams has been nominated for five Academy Awards, so her impersonation of Justin Timberlake is not to be missed. Listen here.
Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma by Claire Dederer
We’d argue everyone is in some sort of parasocial relationship these days – even if only accidental. Which makes Monsters a must-read for the 21st Century. Dederer delves into the complex and often uncharted territory of fandom, blending real stories with insightful analysis. Every element of being a ‘stan’ is examined, from the intricate relationships fans develop with their chosen obsessions, to the emotional, psychological, and even moral dilemmas that can arise.
Although at times confronting, this book offers a fresh perspective on the joys and tribulations of being a fan, inviting readers to consider the profound impact of their own fandom experiences. Listen here.
Another Day in the Colony by Chelsea Watego
Munanjahli and South Sea Islander academic, Chelsea Watego offers us a provocative and deeply personal exploration of the ongoing impact of colonialism on Indigenous communities in Australia. Through a series of interconnected essays, Watego delves into the complexities of Indigenous identity, the resilience of cultural heritage, and the enduring effects of historical trauma. The book offers a powerful and unapologetic critique of colonial systems and their impact on Indigenous lives, while also celebrating the strength and resilience of Indigenous communities.
The oral tradition of storytelling is a big part of Indigenous culture, so taking in Another Day in the Colony through the spoken word in Watego’s own voice adds to the power and impact of the book. Listen here.
Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
As Thank You For Listening follows a failed actress turned audiobook narrator, it would simply be rude to read rather than listen! Despite refusing for years to narrate romance books, Sewanee Chester agrees to lend her voice to the latest work from the world’s most beloved romance author. In the soundbooth, she begins to form a real connection with her male co-star – both of them hidden behind their pseudonyms.
So much more than a cheesy romance novel, Thank You For Listening is really about the power of genuine listening in relationships, for our own personal growth, and to achieve societal harmony. Listen here.
Want more book recommendations?
6 Feminist Books To Deconstruct The Way You Understand ‘Beauty’
8 Books Exploring The Impact of Colonialism – Both Fiction & Non-Fiction
7 Australian Books That Anyone Who Cares About Change & Social Progress Should Read
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