If you haven’t prepared your summer reading list yet, we’ve got you covered. We compiled a list of some of the most buzzworthy novels, then loaded them into a nineteenth-century English cannon and blasted them out at long-range. Check out our selections below!
1.
My Struggle — Karl Ove Knausgaard
We were in awe of the breadth and scope of Knausgaard’s autobiographical series as we crammed it into the barrel of our 68-pounder smoothbore cannon. Knausgaard’s prose is forceful and intense, especially when whizzing through the air at 400 mph.
2.
My Brilliant Friend — Elena Ferrante
My Brilliant Friend is the first in a four-volume series by the mysterious Italian author known as Elena Ferrante. New York Times literary critic Michiko Kakutani remarked that Ferrante’s stunning bildungsroman about female friendship is one that will make you say “Wow, look at that puppy fly” as it is launched skyward by a colonial-era cannon.
3.
H is for Hawk — Helen Macdonald
As a blunt projectile, Macdonald’s memoir is a delight.
4.
The Night Stages — Jane Urquhart
Governor General’s Literary Award-winner Jane Urquhart’s latest offering can be described in four words: inspired, courageous and extremely aerodynamic. We were as impressed by the trajectory of the narrative as we were by the physical copy of the book itself.
5.
The Fishermen — Chigozi Obioma
The Fishermen by Nigerian author Chiogozi Obioma is as much of a joy to read as it is to blast at a moving target from long range. Shortlisted for the Man Booker prize in 2015, we were thrilled to hit a man with this book from a range of 1,000 yards. You will enjoy this novel from the moment you crack it open to the first page to the moment you watch it disappear as a twinkling speck in the firmament.
