u3a book groups share their summer read recommendations
2026 is the National Year of Reading and there are hundreds of u3a book groups across the movement where members are embracing a love of reading and discussing literature. We asked u3a book groups to share the novels that they think are perfect for reading in the summer months.
The National Year of Reading is a campaign designed to help more people of all ages discover the joy of reading. A 2025 survey by The Reading Agency found that regular readers are 86% more likely to report feeling a sense of belonging to their community and 58% feeling generally happy, compared to non-readers.
Book groups within u3a are open to lifelong literature lovers and casual readers alike. The formats of these groups vary across the movement. At some, members meet to discuss the books they're reading in their spare time while others take on a more traditional book group format, with members all reading the same book. Many groups read all types of literature while others are dedicated to specific genres. By combining novels with conversation and social interaction, joining a book group can be a compelling way to get back into reading.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, we’ve asked book groups across the movement to share recent novels that they think are perfect for the summer months.
Bakewell u3a Book Group
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Light but beautifully crafted summer reading, this is a wonderfully told, gentle story, in print and audio. Although the premise sounds a bit wacky - the narrator and eponymous hero is an octopus, Marcellus, who bonds with the aquarium night cleaner and solves the mystery of her disappearing son - the book explores themes of family, love, connection and healing across generations. There’s even an excellent and very moving film starring the ever-wonderful Sally Fields. We read it as a Christmas ‘extra’ and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
The book cover of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Shimna u3a Book Group
Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
“This series, based on the Seven Sisters stars consellation, tells the story of seven sisters from around the world.”
Hungerford & District u3a Book Group
The Fortnight in September by RC Sheriff
We have just finished this novel. A very gentle read, this brought lots of memories for our older readers. Coincidentally it was given a write up in Giles Coren’s ‘restaurant’ review in the Saturday Times!
The book cover of The Leopard
Hay u3a Book Group
The Leopard by Tomasi Di Lampedusa
This novel, set in 1860’s Sicily follows the toppling of the Bourbon kingdoms by the invasion of Garibaldi’s Redshirts.
The subsequent decline of the power of the aristocracy is reflected in the plot of the novel. Prince Fabrizio and his family play a chess like game, negotiating their way through the new regime. Recently included in The Guardian’s top 100 novels of the century, the prose is sublime.
Newcastle u3a Novels in Translation Group
After Midnight by Irmgard Keun
This tells the story of a naive young woman in 1930s Germany who gradually becomes aware of the horrors of that time.
u3a Office Book Group
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Gothic, engrossing and faintly magical, this is a fairytale-esque story about the power of books, all set against the backdrop of post-war Barcelona.”
The book cover of The Shadow of the Wind