It’s finally summer, and the best way to past the days away is nothing better than reading a great book. If you're like me, I have a list of books I read every summer, but I always find new ones each year to add to my list. So here is a small list of books that I love to read every year.
1. Kelly Creagh’s Nevermore Series
Nevermore is about a cheerleader, Isobel Lanely, and Varen Nethers, who is the king of the goths. They are paired together to complete a Halloween project, but as they work together, Isobel learns many secrets about Varen, including that he can travel into the dream world that Edgar Allan Poe has written about. If you're a fan of Edgar Allan Poe, then this book is definitely for you!
2. Gayle Forman's If I Stay
If I Stay is about teenage girl who loses her family in a car accident, and she has a choice if she wants to joined them in the afterlife or to stay on Earth with her ex-boyfriend, who realizes how important she is to him. Throughout her time to choose, she goes through many memories of her family and her ex-boyfriend. I recommend tissues and chocolate.
3. Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Game Series
The Hunger Games is about Katniss Everdeen, who volunteered herself to go into games and to try and win district (12) a food supply for the year. The series takes you through the games, the riots against them, and then finally, a war to end President Snow's ruling.
4. James Dashner's The Maze Runner Series
The Maze Runner is about a group of boys who are trapped in the "Glade," and they have to find a way out of the place without being attacked by the "Grievers." After the first book, they venture on into the world, and find that it isn't what it should be. The rest of series takes place of them figuring out what happened, why they are important test subjects, and who they should trust the most.
5. Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club
The Joy Luck Club is based in San Francisco, where four Chinese women meet together to share stories about their past. Forty years go by, and the daughters continue the event and continue to share tragic, tender stories. I recommend this book because these stories are really reach out to your heart and are very breath taking in good and bad ways.
6. F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is told by Nick Carraway, a neighbor to Gatsby, and is searching for a job in being a salesman. After meeting the rich Gatsby and going to his parties, Nick learns that Gatsby only has the parties in only to catch the attention of Daisy. However, as Gatsby gets close to Daisy, there is a turn of events that happen and they lead to a more tragic ending.
7. James Barry and Ridley Pearson's Peter and the Star Catchers
This series, Peter and the Star Catchers, is the tale of where Peter came from and how Neverland begins. It goes on with meeting the Darlings and the many adventures of Peter Pan. These books are great to get your mind off anything and to take you to far off places.
8. Laurie Anderson's Speak
Speak is about a high school teenager, Melinda, who was raped at a party. After calling 911 and ruining the party for her peers, she was then isolated from them. Having no voice, Melinda learns a new voice from her art teacher and learns to fight back against with her new voice. This book is terribly sad, but it's definitely a page turner.
9. Ridley Pearson's The Kingdom Keepers Series
Do you love Disney? Then The Kingdom Keepers are for you! These books take you behind of the scenes of each Disney park, but also tell the tale of how the characters come to life after dark. The series is based on the villains who plan to attack back and break away from the parks. A must read!
10. Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bones Series
This series is about a young girl named Alina, and her best friend, Mal, who are orphans. They both have great gifts that they never knew of until they meet the Darkling. Alina is really a "grisha," who can only control light and is the only one to do so. Mal is a great tracker, who is used by the Darkling to find great beats that hold strong powers. After discover what the Darkling wants to do with their gifts, they run, and each book goes deeper till the final battle against the Darkling and to save their country, Ravaka.
11. Keira Cass's Selection Series
This fictional tale is about dystopian world, where an event, "The Selection," is held for thirty-five young girls to have a chance to change their class status (mostly poor). These thirty-five girls have to face each other to win the heart of Prince Maxon. The series then continues on with the winner, and her children. If you like the Bachelor, than you would love this series.
12. John Green's The Fault In Our Stars
This tragic story is about two young teenagers who have to face cancer and their feelings for each other. Hazel and Gus learn about each other from their adventures, and similarities. The Fault In Our Stars is book that also requires tissues and chocolate. For such a sad story, this book is a must read.
13. J. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit
This tale begins with stay-at-home hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who goes on an adventure with a wizard and thirteen dwarves. They seek to find the lost Dwarf kingdom, but they have to face many challenges before conquering it back. Bilbo learns to brave and courageous throughout their travels, but he also finds something else...the ring.
14. J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series
For those who don't know, which I am sure many of us do know by now, that this series whole series is based on Harry Potter and his enemy, Lord Voldemort. There are magical spells, creatures, dark figures, and more! Each book goes through a struggle against Lord Voldemort at Hogwarts (the wizard academy) as Harry gets help from his best friends Ron and Hermione. The last book takes place for the final battle against Lord Voldemort and seeing what happens to the boy who lived.
15. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice is about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. The two fight against each other as other situations rise around them, causing them further to argue. Elizabeth is troubled when Darcy tries to make solitude as he helps her family through tragic events, and in the end, Elizabeth makes her own amends towards him.
Yes, some of these books are old or more for teenagers, but they still have something that catches everyone’s attention when the book starts getting good. If you’re ever bored, I recommend picking up one of these books and giving it try. Some of these may keep you up till late at night, and since it’s summer, what's stopping you from doing so?
