Picking a summer book can feel overwhelming. Picking from 39,000 even more so. We asked Alastair Dillon, owner of Dillons Bookshop, to curate some reads worth your attention this summer.
Australian summers lend themselves to a particular kind of reading. Books you can dip into between swims, tear through on slow afternoons, or settle into on long flights and road trips, says Dillon. “A good summer read should meet the moment. It should entertain, distract, challenge, or simply keep you company when the days stretch out and the pace drops.”
This year’s list spans sharp fiction, powerful memoirs, elite sportswriting, Australian history, personal development, and forward-thinking analysis.
I Regret Almost Everything – Keith McNally
The legendary New York restaurateur delivers a memoir full of chaos, brilliance, ego, humour and honesty. An unfiltered life story from a hospitality icon.
Why it works as a summer read:
Witty, candid and wildly entertaining. Ideal for dipping in and out across the holidays.
Who it’s for:
Food lovers, memoir readers, hospitality insiders and fans of New York culture.
Flesh – David Szalay
The 2025 Booker Prize winner. A taut, unsettling novel exploring desire, vulnerability, and blurred moral boundaries. A young man working abroad becomes entangled in a relationship that challenges his identity and instincts. Szalay’s writing is surgical, intimate, and quietly devastating.
Why it works as a summer read:
Lean, sharp, and impossible to put down. Perfect for a one-sitting read on a long summer afternoon.
Who it’s for:
Readers who love psychological fiction, morally complex characters, and contemporary novels that spark debate.
How They Get You – Chris Kohler
An entertaining, revealing look at the traps, nudges and psychological tactics that quietly drain consumers of their money – and how to beat them. If you haven’t already, give Kohler’s Instagram a browse.
Why it works as a summer read:
Light, punchy, and full of practical insights you can use immediately.
Who it’s for:
Busy professionals, young adults, and anyone wanting smart, accessible financial wisdom.
Nobody’s Girl – Virginia Giuffre
Giuffre recounts her experiences of grooming, trafficking, and ultimately fighting back against some of the most powerful individuals in the world. A memoir of courage, truth-telling, and reclaiming agency.
Why it works as a summer read:
Fast, gripping, and emotionally direct – the kind of memoir that holds your attention from page one.
Who it’s for:
True-crime fans, readers drawn to justice-driven narratives, and book-clubs seeking meaningful discussion.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin
A sweeping story of friendship, creativity, ambition, and the fragile bonds between two video-game creators over decades. A modern classic in the making.
Why it works as a summer read:
Warm, emotional, and deeply immersive – ideal for readers wanting an absorbing, character-rich novel.
Who it’s for:
Creatives, entrepreneurs, gamers, and anyone who loves beautifully crafted relationships on the page.
Oliphant: The Remarkable Life of Sir Mark Oliphant – Roland Perry
The definitive biography of the South Australian physicist whose groundbreaking work helped shape radar, nuclear science, and international history. A portrait of a brilliant and conflicted Australian mind.
Why it works as a summer read:
Richly researched yet highly readable – a sweeping true story you can savour across the holiday break.
Who it’s for:
History lovers, science enthusiasts, and Australians proud of homegrown innovators.
The Playing Lesson – Michael Bamberger
A reflective, beautifully written meditation on golf, character, failure, and redemption – all framed around one transformative round.
Why it works as a summer read:
Gentle, insightful, and quietly philosophical – perfect for slow mornings or evenings on holiday.
Who it’s for:
Golfers, sports lovers, and readers who appreciate reflective nonfiction with heart.
On the Ashes – Gideon Haigh
Australia’s finest cricket writer explores the Ashes’ rivalries, legends, controversies and cultural weight across eras. This book is updated for this Ashes series.
Why it works as a summer read:
Cricket is Australian summer – this is essential reading for fans following the season.
Who it’s for:
Cricket tragics, sports historians, and readers who cherish Australian sporting stories.
Those Who Are About to Die – Harry Sidebottom
A visceral plunge into Ancient Rome’s gladiatorial world. Peril, power and bloodshed delivered with historical accuracy and thriller-like pace.
Why it works as a summer read:
Fast, cinematic, and addictive – the perfect escape from your deckchair.
Who it’s for:
Fans of action-packed historical fiction and readers craving big, bold storytelling.
Night People – Mark Ronson
The famed producer reveals the behind-the-scenes alchemy of music-making – the artists, the late-night sessions, and the emotional architecture of great songs.
Why it works as a summer read:
Stylish, anecdotal, and full of cultural energy – ideal for relaxed holiday reading with a soundtrack.
Who it’s for:
Music fans, pop-culture readers, and anyone fascinated by creativity.
The Power of Choice – Neale Daniher
A deeply inspiring account of leadership, purpose, family and facing motor neurone disease with extraordinary resilience and humour.
Why it works as a summer read:
Heartening and grounding – a reminder of what truly matters as you reset for the year ahead.
Who it’s for:
Leaders, sports fans, and readers looking for uplifting memoirs with emotional depth.
The Right Hand – Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks
A sharp political thriller about ambition, loyalty and power through the story of a charismatic politician and his enigmatic aide.
Why it works as a summer read:
Smart, stylish, and gripping – a contemporary page-turner you’ll fly through.
Who it’s for:
Fans of political drama, thrillers, and bold feminist storytelling.
The Detective – Matthew Reilly
A US Marshal must stop an unfolding terror plot mid-air in classic Matthew Reilly fashion – huge stakes, runaway momentum, and pure adrenaline.
Why it works as a summer read:
Short chapters, big set pieces – perfect for airports, beaches and poolside reading.
Who it’s for:
Action fans, blockbuster readers, and those wanting total escapism.
Retire Life Ready – James Wrigley
A practical, clear blueprint for designing a financially secure and emotionally fulfilling retirement – without overwhelm.
Why it works as a summer read:
The end of the year is the perfect time to plan ahead; this book makes it simple.
Who it’s for:
Soon-to-be retirees, planners, families, and anyone wanting to take control of their next chapter.
About Dillons Bookshop
This list was curated by Dillons Bookshop in Norwood, one of South Australia’s largest independent bookstores. Now in its 40th year, Dillons has long been known for a deep range and considered recommendations.
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