Nothing beats a beach, some shade and a great book - except adding to that mix a hot boy with a bottle of sun block!

This year has seen another successful release of great Kiwi reads - from both debut and well-known authors. These books are hot enough to compete with the summer sun! Then of course there are all our international favourites.


So dive into these great summer reads and massage the mind while catching some rays...

Kiwi Styles

The New Zealand Book of Beach, Graeme Lay
Soak up the stories that unite all who flock to the summer shores. The book looks at New Zealander's love for the beach, telling us that our combined passion is truly unique of a country which boarders no others. A superb collection of fictional writings from the crème de la crème of kiwi writers, it's perfect for lazy short reads in between swims and naps. David Ling Publishing $34.99

Towards Another Summer, Janet Frame
Much mystery surrounds the final work to be released from Kiwi literary hero, Janet Frame. While living, Frame refused to have this work published as she acknowledged it as being far too personal. Given her eccentric and often wacky yet pioneering life, this is an insightful read. With imaginative characters, quirky prose and dry yet melancholy style, Frame’s concluding release is clearly a deeper step into her provocative character. Random House $29.99

Best New Zealand Fiction 4, Fiona Farrell
A flavoursome taste of unique stories from the incredible to the beautiful, drift into your imagination and celebrate a compilation of this country’s finest talent. Edited by Fiona Farrell, she has chosen a range of styles to delight readers over the long summer. Random House $34.99

International bestsellers

Lean Mean Thirteen, Janet Evenovich
Yet another fast-paced and brilliantly entertaining addition to the much loved Stephanie Plum series. The author serves up her unique humour blended with plenty of twists, keeping the reader's nose deep in the sassy Stephanie Plum's capers till the end and, as always, wanting more. St Martin’s Press $41.84

A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini
A heart breaking and inspirational look into powerful controversial issues. The story begins with a young girl being married off to a man 30 years her senior. The story winds its way into the heart of conflict, both physical and emotional, as two decades later another girl is sent to join the first and an unbreakable bond is formed amidst growing hostility in the area. This evocative tale hits close to home as parallels are drawn between this story and our world today. Simon and Schuster Audio $39.89

Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert
In this vibrant exotic story limitations are explored when a woman leaves all that she knows behind in a search for meaning in her life. Travelling from Italy to Indonesia, truths are discovered and identity found as our heroine seeks the answers we all have in our hearts. This one is easy to lose yourself in, and remains in your thoughts long after the last page is turned. Bloomsbury Publishing, $26.99

Georgia Todd