2023 Summer Reading List for Parliamentarians Announced

The Publishers Association has revealed its annual Summer Reading List for Parliamentarians, all of the titles included nominated by MPs and Peers as their recommended read for the Summer Recess. 

Nickie Aiken, MP for Cities of London and Westminster and sponsor of the Publishers Association’s Parliamentary Book Club said: “There is certainly something for everyone on the summer reading list. I find reading a joy and a great way to relax. I would encourage everyone to try a book they would never usually consider. You never know where it may lead!”

Choices included:

• The Son by Philipp Meyer, selected by Kevin Hollinrake MP (Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business) who descibed it as a: “Brilliantly written epic about the origins, struggles and success of the United States, told through the eyes and lives of successive generations of the McCullogh family. ”
• Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis, chosen by The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) who called it the: “Funniest book I’ve ever read and his description of a hangover is the best passage of writing in English literature. ”
• The Fall of Númenor by J. R. R. Tolkien, picked by The Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP (Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education), who commented: “If it was The Silmarillion last year, this year it has to be the newly released book of Tolkien’s work, The Fall of Númenor. This book delves into how Númenor was founded and how the Rings of Power were made. It has been brilliantly brought together by Brian Sibley, who co-wrote the adaption of the Lord of Rings for Radio 4. I am looking forward to escaping the world of politics into the Second Age this summer, reading this on the top of the Yorkshire Dales, overlooking a lake, my imaginary Middle Earth.”

Dan Conway, CEO of the Publishers Association said: “We’re delighted to launch our Summer Reading List again this year, and it’s great to see such a variety of submissions from across parliament. Reading is one of the best ways to escape from our everyday routines, and it is a great way for us to connect with our friends and family. I encourage everyone to pick up a book as we head into summer- there is definitely something for everyone.”

Earlier in the month The Publishers Association held a celebration of the UK publishing industry with Members of Parliament and publishers at the House of Commons, and were joined by Bonnie Garmus whose bestselling Lessons in Chemistry was chosen in the 2023 summer reading list by Stephanie Peacock MP (Shadow Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure), Alexandra Davies-Jones MP (Shadow Minister for Tech, Gambling and Digital Economy), Dame Caroline Dinenage MP (Chair, Culture, Media and Sport Committee), and Gill Furniss MP (Shadow Minister for Roads).