MOJEH BOOK CLUB INTRODUCES THE 8 BEST BOOKS FOR A TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY READ JUST FOR YOU…
For those of you who still love a good page-turner, these eight new books will ensure your summer holidays are uplifting, uproarious and enriched in equal measure. From sweeping family sagas set in Oman and hugely funny autobiographies from the rich and famous, to eye-opening investigations into the fashion world, there’s something here for everyone. Take our word for it…
MOJEH Book Club: Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
FOR THE MYSTERY WOMAN
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
From author of TV’s Big Little Lies breakout show, Nine Perfect Strangers is a delicious thriller dripping in suspense, seductiveness and wickedly smart humour. When nine strangers go on a health-and-wellness retreat, their aim is to meditate, rid themselves of mental baggage and indulge in hot stone massages. But factor in the resort director, whose agenda has a far darker intent, and suddenly their lives are destined to change forever – but not necessarily for the better.
MOJEH Book Club: Gmorning, Gnight by Lin-Manuel Miranda
FOR THE SELF-LOVE
‘Gmorning, Gnight by Lin-Manuel Miranda
An easy-to-absorb and uplifting pep-talk from Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, ‘Gmorning, Gnight is a dip-in, dip-out kinda self-love book that focuses on inspirational, bite-size affirmations to help you through your day. The beauty here is that he doesn’t labour the point in word-heavy prose, he just offers you soulful, daily greetings intended to uplift, inspire and motivate. It’s the perfect holiday companion when time is on your side and you can indulge in a little me time.
MOJEH Book Club: I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella
FOR THE ROMANTIC
I Owe You One: A Novel by Sophie Kinsella
Few holidays are complete without a Sophie Kinsella stashed in your carry-on. This year’s summer romance comes by way of I Owe You One, the chick-lit queen’s latest novel about Fixie Farr, a girl whose whole world revolves around family. That is, until a chance encounter in a coffee shop, and an IOU note laced with intrigue and promise, turn everything upside down. It’s light, funny and the perfect switch-your-brain-off indulgence for the beach.
MOJEH Book Club: Becoming by Michelle Obama
FOR THE INSPIRATION
Becoming by Michelle Obama
If you haven’t read this already, let this holiday be the perfect opportunity. Having sold 10 million copies already, this best-selling memoir takes you behind the life of one of the world’s most influential – and inspiring – women, Michelle Obama. Charting her journey from Chicago’s Southside, to Harvard Law School to the first African-American First Lady of the White House, she writes candidly, with great humour, much empathy and the perfect dose of page-turning charm. An easy read that promises to both uplift and move you, you’ll need hours not days to digest this.
MOJEH Book Club: Meat Market by Juno Dawson
FOR THE EASY POOLSIDE READ
Meat Market by Juno Dawson
A telling insight into the underbelly of the fashion industry, Juno Dawson delves into the darkness with a story of Jana Novak, a young girl who is scouted in London and then catapulted to model superstardom. But fame, as we all know, often comes at a price – and the higher you climb, the farther you have to fall. Thoroughly engrossing and equally devastating, this expose feels timely and relevant, and while it’s an easy read for the beach, its message will stay with you long after.
MOJEH Book Club: Life Will Be the Death of Me by Chelsea Handler
FOR THE REAL-LIFE LOVER
Life Will Be The Death Of Me by Chelsea Handler
One of America’s foremost feminist comedians, Chelsea Handler’s biography is funny, sad, super-honest and all true. Charting a year in her life, in which she embarks on a mission of self-discovery and self-sufficiency, and in her own unflinching way of being frank but very, very funny, Chelsea tries to figure out life outside of her precious, privileged bubble. Deep life questions are bookended with vital life-lessons on how to use her remote control and where the toaster lives, keeping you on your toes and with tears – mainly of joy – in your eyes. It’s a hilarious read that will warm your soul and probably make you want to be a better person too.
MOJEH Book Club: Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi
FOR THE REGIONAL READ
Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi
Winner of the Man Booker International Prize 2019, Omani author Jokha Alharthi is also the first female Omani novelist to be translated from Arabic into English. Her beautiful novel Celestial Bodies tells the story of three sisters who witness Oman as it develops from a traditional, slave-owning society to a redefined country in a complex, modern world. It tackles the idea of changing mortality and ethics as our world evolves, whilst simultaneously opening the audience’s eyes to the beauty and mystery of Omani culture through a nuanced, and intricate story of family, love and loss.
MOJEH Book Club: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
FOR THE LATE HOLIDAY
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
We couldn’t not include this new novel, though it doesn’t release until September, so stick this on your late summer reading list. For all those who’ve read The Handmaid’s Tale and been addicted to Netflix’s hit series, The Testaments takes us 15 years into the future to reveal what’s happened to Gilead – via the explosive testaments of three female narrators – and answers questions that Margaret Atwood says her readers have been asking for decades. “Everything you’ve ever asked me about Gilead and its inner workings is the inspiration for this book. Well, almost everything. The other inspiration is the world we’ve been living in.”
Next week, the podcasts you need to plug into to help you ‘unplug’ on your hols…
- Words: Emily Baxter-Priest
