Svetlana Legetic, founder and editor-in-chief of Brightest Young Things

Juliet, Naked, by Nick Hornby
"Okay — so I know it is so 1996 to read Nick Hornby, but this recent-ish book about sort-of-love, sort-of-settling, and, of course, music (possibly) worth obsessing over is pretty damn good, and pretty damn relatable — providing you've left the soft gleam of your very early youth and promise behind, and found yourself not quite where you've always thought wanted to be. Which, let's face it, is everyone's case in 2012."

The Emperor's Children, by Claire Messud
"I have always been a sucker for books where people have the kinds of conversations I wish I were a part of. And in Claire Messud's snappy yet heartbreaking ode to late '20s ennui in a big, bad city, the characters have some of the best conversations, using some of the best words you'll stumble across. As my friend Becca would say: 'Claire Messud is just so good at English.'"

Case Histories, by Kate Atkinson
"Say what you will, but a good summer thriller goes a long way, and Kate Atkinson writes thrillers for people who think they're too good to read thrillers (I'm looking at you, fair reader). Gripping, extremely well-written, and featuring some truly sordid characters (as well as some perfectly flawed heroes), there is a reason why there are sequels now (One Good Turn and When Will There Be Good News?) and a BBC miniseries based on it. The very definition of a page turner."


Photo: Courtesy of Svetlana Legetic/Kate Warren