Michael Rowland's top reads to dive into this summer

ABC News Breakfast co-host Michael Rowland shares his must-read books to while away your summer holidays

Long Flight Home 

By Lainie Anderson (Wakefield Press), $29.95

Adelaide journalist Lainie Anderson recreates one of the most daring and dangerous flights in aviation history. In 1919, a huge cash prize was offered for the first pilot to fly from England to Australia, and there was no shortage of takers. A great tale of escapism to read on the beach!

Maybe the Horse will Talk

By Elliot Perlman (Vintage), $32.99

Steven Maserov is a young Melbourne corporate lawyer in a world of pain. He is absolutely terrified of losing a job he hates, and his marriage is on the rocks. So, he makes a bold gamble aimed at keeping his job, his wife and his sanity. In his first novel in eight years, Elliot Perlman delivers a biting and grimly funny social commentary.

Politics Now

By David Rowe (Scribe), $32.99

From one of Australia’s sharpest political cartoonists comes a book boasting the best of his truly unique work over the past five years. David Rowe’s daily cartoons for The Australian Financial Review can sum up in one, often grotesque, drawing the truly chaotic nature of Australian and global politics. From Peter Dutton to Donald Trump, Rowe never misses.

Silver 

By Chris Hammer (Allen & Unwin), $32.99

Best-selling crime writer Chris Hammer is back with a sequel to last year’s hit Scrublands. World-weary journalist Martin Scarsden returns to his hometown, Port Silver, only to find his best friend from school has been murdered. The chief suspect is Scarsden’s partner, Mandy. This is a ripping read by a master of the craft.

Act of Grace 

By Anna Krien (Black Inc), $32.99

Melbourne investigative writer Anna Krien returns with her first novel; an epic tale interweaving the stories of four characters in the shadow of the Iraq War. It’s a story of trauma, division and, in the end, transformation. It’s a book that is already garnering international attention.

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