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Original poster

Books to read on stifling, lazy summer days

78 replies

IceIceBabyBump · 21/07/2026 11:44

I'm after some recommendations for literary fiction books for hot, lazy summer days. I don't mean fluffy holiday reads at all.
I mean books that ooze thick, humid, oppressive heat and, in doing so, create an unsettling atmosphere.

I'm after recreating the seasonal pairing of dark, atmospheric, spooky books for autumn nights but for hot summer days.

I've got Claire Fuller's "Bitter Orange" on my list already.

What else?

OP posts:
HedgehogShoes · 22/07/2026 10:12

North Woods by Daniel Mason. Lyrical and atmospheric set in haunted apple orchard in New England

Great thread by the way. I'm making myself a reading list from all these recommendations

Alltheprettyseahorses · 22/07/2026 10:00

The Cement Garden was the first that came to my mind.

Zennor in Darkness, it has the most beautiful and immersive depiction of a heatwave I have ever read.

HatStickBoots · 22/07/2026 09:34

For a retro read try Jaws by Peter Benchley and Savages by Shirley Conran which is about a bunch of rich women stranded on a tropical island.
Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier, is a gorgeous book and set in the summer.

SparklingBettie · 22/07/2026 09:25

Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee but if u want a more modern contemporary book then Tangerine by Christine Mangen.

Original poster
IceIceBabyBump · 22/07/2026 09:21

CraftySeal · 22/07/2026 07:37

Elena Ferrante's "My Brilliant Friend" series. The stifling heat of Naples where the series is set, is often used to build the tension and sense of unease. It's a fantastic quartet of four books about a complicated, sometimes disturbing, female friendship.

Edited

I read the first of these books but I didn't get into it at all.

You're right that the dry heat of summer absolutely pulsated from the pages.

But I didn't enjoy the book at all. I then tried her "The Days of Abandonment" to see whether it was just the "Brilliant Friend" series I couldn't get on with. But that one also wasn't very good IMHO.

OP posts:
Original poster
IceIceBabyBump · 22/07/2026 09:19

LEWWSH · 21/07/2026 21:21

Anything by Sarah Waters. Or have you read the Secret History by Donna Tartt? It’s the most unsettling book I’ve ever read and is just superb!

Yes, I've read everything by Donna Tartt. Love her!

OP posts:
Original poster
IceIceBabyBump · 22/07/2026 09:17

Some incredible suggestions here, thank you so much! I'll be on WOB most of today.

OP posts:
Original poster
IceIceBabyBump · 22/07/2026 09:17

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 21/07/2026 16:34

Google says books like Bitter Orange are:-

The Little Stranger Sarah Walters
We Have Always Lived in the Castle Shirley Jackson
My Absolute Darling Gabriel Tallent
The Thirteenth Tale Diane Setterfield

there are more…

Most of these actually fit me "atmospheric books for cosy autumn evenings as the nights draw in" 😂

OP posts:
FrostyMorn · 22/07/2026 07:42

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 21/07/2026 16:34

Google says books like Bitter Orange are:-

The Little Stranger Sarah Walters
We Have Always Lived in the Castle Shirley Jackson
My Absolute Darling Gabriel Tallent
The Thirteenth Tale Diane Setterfield

there are more…

LOVED The Thirteenth Tale!

ClovisWrites · 22/07/2026 07:41

NeartoNewquay · 21/07/2026 11:46

I just read the Go-Between, which may or may not be your cup of tea but it certainly added to the atmosphere as it is set during a heatwave. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

One of the greatest novels of all time.

paulinespecial · 22/07/2026 07:40

The Beach by Alex Garland. Much better than the film
The Little stranger by Sarah Waters it’s just brilliant and unsettling

Nighttimeistherightime · 22/07/2026 07:39

‘Amy and Isabelle’ by Elizabeth Strout

CraftySeal · 22/07/2026 07:37

Elena Ferrante's "My Brilliant Friend" series. The stifling heat of Naples where the series is set, is often used to build the tension and sense of unease. It's a fantastic quartet of four books about a complicated, sometimes disturbing, female friendship.

mylifeisexams · 22/07/2026 01:29

The Stranger by Albert Camus

ThumbTowers · 22/07/2026 00:50

Just read Ripeness by Sarah Moss, which i think fits the bill.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/07/2026 22:52

The Virgin Suicides is a perfect recommendation

heymammy · 21/07/2026 21:39

I'm fair enjoying A Town Like Alice by Neville Shute. Set in sweltering Malaya and outback Australia.

PetiteParakeet · 21/07/2026 21:28

Also came on here to suggest The Poisonwood Bible. Great book.

PoliteGreyDreamer · 21/07/2026 21:27

The Little Friend by Donna Tartt

LEWWSH · 21/07/2026 21:21

Anything by Sarah Waters. Or have you read the Secret History by Donna Tartt? It’s the most unsettling book I’ve ever read and is just superb!

Shloopie · 21/07/2026 21:14

I always associate Possession by AS Byatt with summer.

Mydahliasareshit · 21/07/2026 21:12

Oh, The Magus by John Fowles. Made a trip to a Greek Island into something special.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 21/07/2026 21:08

The Long Winter - Laura Ingalls Wilder

Happysummerrain · 21/07/2026 21:06

Happysummerrain · 21/07/2026 20:59

My recommendation is Ken Follett - The Evening and the Morning.

I’ve just realised you said something set during summer. There are some summer moments and it’s a great read, in my opinion but probably not what you’re looking for in particular.

Sponge321 · 21/07/2026 21:03

100 years of solitude

Poisonwood bible

Chocolat

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