If I could pick just one word to describe Bea Setton’s Plaything it would be ‘unsettling’. The novel follows Cambridge PhD student Anna as she becomes entangled (and then obsessed) with the closed-off Caden and his ever-present ex-girlfriend. But it’s more than a psychological thriller or typical tale of ‘the other woman’ – there’s something genuinely haunting about their overpowering cruelty to one another (and themselves). It’s not a light summer read by any means, but you’ll be thinking about it hours after you’ve closed the last page.

Amy Beecham, senior writer

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I’m usually looking for some easy-reading fiction at this time of year, but once I cracked the spine of The Half Of It to skim the first few pages, I couldn’t put it down. Written by the women behind Mixed Up, a podcast for thoughtful conversations about race that counts Mel B, Afua Hirsch and Candice Brathwaite among its guests, on the surface it’s a lively exploration of what it means to hold more than one identity in a world that demands you define yourself. But every chapter, from the one exploring how modern dating is set up to segregate us to the one where different writers pen a letter to their parents touching on a subject they’ve never been able to discuss in real life, holds thought-provoking gems of wisdom for everyone regardless of your heritage. In a world where everything – from news headlines to tweets – is designed to polarise us, The Half Of It is an excellent book about nuance, identity and how we can all relate to each other a little better.

Meena Alexander, associate editor

Shop The Half Of It by Emma Slade Edmondson and Nicole Ocran (HarperCollins) at Bookshop.org, £20

This is going to sound like a contradiction but I believe summer reads should be two things: absolutely absorbing and simultaneously easy to dip in and out of. The Start Of Something is both of these things. Written from the perspective of 10 different characters whose stories of love, dating and sex all intertwine, it’s easy to read in digestible chunks because every chapter feels like a short story in itself, but the complex characters – each written in a way that instantly makes you get behind them – will make you reluctant to put it down. Books that are described as ‘exploring the realities of modern dating’ can often feel exhausting, but this one was a total joy. I loved it.

Holly Bullock, writer, Stylist+

Shop The Start Of Something by Holly Williams (Orion) at Bookshop.org, £18.99

Translated from its original Japanese by Polly Barton, Asako Yuzuki’s bestseller is a unique and, at times, unsettling read. Following Tokyo-based journalist Rika Machida as she attempts to secure an interview with convicted serial murderer Manako Kajii, the novel takes the reader on a twisted ride through Japan, its culture, food, gender roles and traditions as Rika desperately tries to get closer to Kaji and discover the truth behind her case. Inspired by the real story of the Konkatsu Killer, a convicted conwoman and serial killer, it’s best to go in not knowing what to expect as Butter holds countless surprises. Just make sure to have something to eat before you start; you’ll be craving rice, butter and soy sauce in no time.

Annie Simpson, email content editor

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Emily Henry is without a doubt the queen of the summer romcom. She writes books you want to read on the beach with a cocktail in hand, but that also have the substance, heart and joy that we so desperately need. In Funny Story, we get the ultimate opposites attract romance, in which heartbroken librarian Daphne finds herself catapulted into the world’s most awkward living situation: sharing a flat with her ex-fiance’s new fiancee’s ex-boyfriend. You’ll laugh out loud, you’ll weep a little bit, but ultimately, you’ll feel just a little bit warmer about the world with this book in your hands.

Shahed Ezaydi, writer

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If you’re ever at a loss for what to read next, head to Nigella Lawson’s Instagram. Her social account hides a treasure trove of book gems amid the recipe inspiration, and a recent post about Green Dot galvanised me into finally downloading the debut novel by Madeleine Gray, after months of hearing how good it is. It’s the story of Hera, a 24-year-old woman searching for meaning, who begins an all-consuming affair with a boring man who wears cargo shorts and chemist-bought sunglasses at her soul-crushing job moderating newspaper comments. Whipsmart, raw, contemporary and heartbreaking, this is a tale beloved by both Nigella and now me.

Helen Bownass, entertainment director

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The Last Devil To Die is the fourth and latest book in the highly addictive, charming and surprisingly comforting Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman. The story follows a group of four pensioners – Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim – in a retirement village who have become a tight-knit gang of whodunnit murder-solving sleuths in their weekly ‘murder club’ meetings. This time the story follows their investigation into the shocking murder of an old friend in the antiques business. The characters are laugh-out-loud funny with individual quirks that are relatable and heartwarming. You’re kept guessing until the end, and it’s a page-turner of a series that you simply don’t want to end.

Jessica Lockett, art director

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I recently reread City Of Girls while on holiday and loved it just as much the second time around. I found myself laughing, gasping and almost crying as the storyline moves around Manhattan, from crumbling theatres to glitzy bars. Elizabeth Gilbert is such a talented and conversational storyteller; this is a love letter to the highs and lows of female friendship, and I read it obsessively.

Susanne Norris, deputy digital editor

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The day-to-day life of a young woman living in London is juxtaposed with an end-of-the-world event in this novel by Kate Sawyer, which I devoured recently on a long train journey. The narrative jumps between two timelines – before the event and after – so you get a sense of how the world has changed for the main character, Ruth, and empathise with the decisions she makes throughout the book. With portions of the book set against the rugged landscape of New Zealand, The Stranding is both an escape from the day-to-day and a chance to question what really matters. Deep stuff.

Lauren Geall, senior writer, Strong Women

Shop The Stranding by Kate Sawyer (Hodder & Stoughton) at Bookshop.org, £9.99