At a young age, I was surrounded by books. My mother was a teacher and always emphasized the importance of reading. I read for at least an hour everyday no matter the day or season. Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, Judy Moody, Magic Tree House; they all played a vital part in my life. As I grew up reading took a spot on the back burner for a while and I found better things to do with my time. When I got my first phone, reading quickly went away completely. Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, texting, those all seemed like better things to do than read. I didn’t realize until much later in my life that I was giving away a huge part of my creativity and imagination. Reading was a huge part of my life, and I didn’t even know it.
After completing my first year of college I came home to summer classes, a job, friends I had missed, and a bookshelf full of books waiting to be cracked open. I had a free day and I dedicated it to that bookshelf. I picked up one of the biggest books I could find and starting reading. It took me two days to get through that 449-page adventure. Then I realized how much I needed reading in my life. So here I am to inspire you… pick up a book and get to reading!
I understand how overdone the aspect of “romance” is, so I have handpicked 10 non-romance novels to cure your summertime boredom!
1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
An instant classic, follows Harry Potter and his friends through their adventures as wizards. Attending a school in another dimension with the help of many magical creatures. What’s not to love?
2. Viral by Emily Mitchell
A fiction tale with elements of sci-fi and surrealism. Touches of magic and strange ways find home in this novel about an interesting new America.
3. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
From the author of To Kill A Mockingbird, comes a new story following that same family we all loved, the Finch’s. Jean Louise returns to her hometown to find upsetting news, and while she deals with this, she relives her childhood.
4. The Truth and Other Lies by Sascha Arango
This captivating thriller explores the lives of a man who is stealing his wife’s literary works and publishing them as his own. Suddenly, his wife and editor go missing. Who is to blame?
5. Stalin’s Daughter by Rosemary Sullivan
We all know Joseph Stalin as his name is recognizable through history. This story follows the life of his daughter, Svetlana Alliluyeva. Her story through life in the Kremlin, losing her mother, and learning to live on her own. This is a history buff’s paradise!
Even if none of these stories interest you, find a book and indulge! Happy reading!
