'I recommend books for a living. These are the 8 you need to read.'

Summer reading season is officially here, which means two things: we're all pretending we'll finally get through our to-be-read pile, and we're all looking for someone to tell us what to actually read.

Because honestly? Finding your next book can be overwhelming.

With so many titles dominating the zeitgeist, it's hard to know what's actually worth your time. (And let's be real, you don't want to make the mistake of getting sucked in by a fun cover at the bookstore and ending up with a dud, yet again).

Sometimes scrolling Goodreads just doesn't cut it. Sometimes you want someone to do the hard work for you.

Hello! Hi! We are here to do exactly that. And we've brought in the big guns.

Meet Cameron Gibson, the face behind Slaggy Book Club.

Watch: Cameron shares a day-in-the-life as a bookseller. Post continues below.

The Melbourne local has been reading for as long as she can remember. And let me tell you, the girl has never led me astray when it comes to choosing my next read.

"I've been reading my entire life. From Enid Blyton and Rainbow Magic to The Hunger Games and John Green," Cameron told Mamamia.

"The first time I talked about a book on the internet was in 2018 when I picked up my first Ottessa Moshfegh and it rocked my world so hard I had to post it on my Instagram story. I couldn't believe how many replies I got, I didn't realise that many people cared about books."

As a bookseller and content creator, Cameron spends about two to three hours a day reading. That mean she's gotten through a lotttt of books this year, and she has plenty of thoughts.

So, of course, we asked for her standouts.

"Samantha Byres' Dead Ends, a wonderfully chaotic, unapologetic and surprisingly heartwarming debut," Cameron said.

"Madeleine Grey's second novel Chosen Family, which pulled hard at my heartstrings and had me simultaneously in my feelings, full of joy and laughing out loud.

"And I've been unable to stop thinking about Laura Bates incredibly important and deeply disturbing investigation of AI, The New Age of Sexism."

Image: University of Queensland Press and Simon & Schuster Australia.

One that surprised her? Former AFL player Brandon Jack's debut novel, Pissants, a snapshot of life within the chaotic world of a professional sports club, told from multiple perspectives of fringe players of an unnamed football club.

"I couldn't care less about AFL but the debauchery was hypnotising, I couldn't look away," Cameron said.

Her audience loved, Mother Tongue by Naima Brown (hello, Mamamia talent!).

"A tale of motherhood, unlikely circumstances and morally grey decisions that is so, so smart and unexpected got a lot of love, and it was very cool to see those numbers translate to sales at the bookstore I work at," Cameron said.

Image: Simon & Schuster Australia and Pan Macmillan Australia.

Looking for an easy, light and fun summer read? Cameron has you covered.

"I just devoured Slutty Cheff's delicious memoir Tart and I think everyone should read it this summer," she said.

"Also Loved One by Aisha Muharrar. While it is about grief, Aisha so beautifully weaves lightness and humanity throughout the story that it still manages to feel joyous."

And for something a bit meatier…

"Sunstruck by William Rayfet Hunter is a must-read. Very Brideshead Revisited vibes with the sexiness of Saltburn but a darker take on power dynamics across race and class."

Image: Bloomsbury Publishing, HarperCollins Australia and Penguin Books Australia.

The excitement doesn't stop there; keep your eyes peeled for the year ahead.

"I'm very excited for Jeanette McCurdy's novel Half His Age, which is coming out in January," Cameron said.

"She's proved herself to be a fantastic writer, so I can't wait to see what she can do with fiction.

"There's also a new one coming from one of my favourite authors Sophie Mackintosh, so I'll be dropping everything to read that when it releases."

Image: Penguin Random House and Penguin Books Australia.

And there you have it, the hard work is done for you.

Go forth and read.

Feature image: Supplied.