Literary Luggage: What they’re reading in the Love Island villa

If your TBR feels as empty as the Love Island bookshelf, don’t worry, we’ve got you

Jun 29, 2025

What they’re reading in the villa (nothing). What we’re shipping out (everything)

It’s Love Island season. The sun beds are full, the declarations are flying, and the villa bookshelf? Tragically empty.

Every year I say I’m not going to watch it, every year I get drawn in regardless. And this year, thanks to a nasty bout of the flu, I caught up on two weeks worth in about 3 days. What can I say? It’s the perfect background watch. You can doze off to it when you’re ill, or catch up on admin without really missing anything.

I have so many thoughts on the show, the constructs, why people go on it, how to play the game strategically (yes it’s a game, it’s never about love). To my fave contestants - I see you, it’s working, well done.

But mostly I am horrified that for 8 weeks these guys have no reading material. There is not a single book in sight. I tried this for 10 days and it was the longest of my life. I know they’re working (see: game), but please tell me they have some kind of intellectual input.

This would be me in the villa →

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Imagine being on a sunbed for 12 hours a day and not having a book. Luckily that’s not us. Back in the real world, we’ve been shipping out some absolute gems (have you checked out our subscription yet?).

If your own summer reading list is looking a little sparse, here’s what’s gone out in subscriptions, and how you can get one too.

The Pre-Loved bookshop is freshly restocked 🎉

If you’d like to buy some epic £4 titles (and feel good about giving them a new home) then head here. If you’d like to pass your books on to a new home, then this is your link.

Our type on paper (literally)

If you’re still looking for the one (books > bombshells), we’ve got you.

Here’s a peek at some of the titles we’ve been matching to our subscribers lately. Each one is hand picked, based on your reading goals, mood, or vibe.

Ready to dive in? Join or gift our book subscriptions today. You can also become a founding member.

The Camomile Lawn by Mary Wesley - Opening with cousins enjoying the summer in Cornwall, it follows their end of innocence through war-time Britain. Written by the author in her 70s.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman - A short, recently republished and translated work. A science-fiction novel of 40 women who live imprisoned under constant surveillance. Despite the heavy subject matter, this about hope, knowledge, loneliness, friendship and humanity.

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden - Just won the Women’s Prize, this book hooks you in and doesn’t let you go. Exceptional storytelling and an amazing debut.

Loot by Tania James - Set in 18th-century India and France, it follows a gifted woodcarver as he’s caught in the crossfire of colonial ambition, art, and survival.

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley - A time-travel novel with a twist of alternate history. Set in a version of Britain ruled by France, told across timelines and full of fog and lighthouses. But really, this is a love story.

Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham - Inspired by Obama-era politics, this debut novel charts an election campaign, written by a real Obama staffer.

What our readers say

I devoured the first book in under a week and cannot wait for the next to arrive!

So great being introduced to new recommendations that I would not have otherwise found

The subscription has been fantastic. It’s helped me rediscover the joy in reading, as I’m picky and tend not to like bestseller lists. I would really recommend to anyone!