Finding the time to read during the school year can be extremely difficult for students. Classes and jobs take up most of our days, and our free time tends to be dedicated to our friends. Thankfully, summer break gives us the perfect time to crack open a book and get to reading. Whether you are looking for an easy read, a classic, or a series this list is for you.
1. Fangirl
"Fangirl" is the perfect book to read when you are looking for something fun and easy to process. Rowell's writing is incredibly witty as she tells the story of twin girls who find themselves drifting from each other after starting college. With fan-fiction, a Harry Potter inspired subplot and lots of shenanigans, this book will keep you turning pages and will touch anyone who knows what it is like to feel lost.
2. I Am Malala
In this memoir, Malala Yousafzai tells her story on her own terms. After standing up for education rights for women in Pakistan and consequently being shot by the Taliban, she went on to become an education activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Her experiences and her courageous defense of her values have inspired people all over the world. This is a book that anyone looking for a non-fiction read must pick up.
3. Their Eyes Were Watching God
"Their Eyes Were Watching God" is for those who are interested in classics that won't take up all of their time. Hurston is a master of symbolism and imagery. Her writing flows with ease but is expertly crafted to tell the story of Janie. We follow her through the most important events in her life as she finds love, loss and who she is as an African-American woman in the early 20th century.
4. Persuasion
Despite being one of Austen's shortest novels, "Persuasion" captures all that is good about her stories. It details the life of Anne Elliot and her attempts to find a place for herself in a society that hinders her. As with most Austen novels, there is a dramatic romance that makes it almost impossible to put this book down. If you're a fan of her other work or of the movie adaptations, this book is for you.
5. The Raven Boys
If you are in the market for a new series to start this summer, "The Raven Cycle" is a great option. The first book, "The Raven Boys," introduces Blue Sargent who comes from a family of psychics and has a curse hanging over her head as well as Gansey, Adam, Ronan and Noah who are on a quest to find a long-dead Welsh king.The so-called Raven Boys and Blue cross paths and upset the supernatural forces of their world. Stiefvater has created an intricate and complex story that is delightfully frightening. Her ability to cleverly foreshadow events is a testament to her skill as a writer. This series should be on everyone's list.
