Summer time is here and so are the joys of having a little more free time on our hands. From swimming, hiking, to vacationing in the Bahamas, the summer is filled with endless opportunities to relax and enjoy some time off. A good activity to take part in is reading books. Many people love to indulge in a good book during their summer break, but what happens when you don’t have anything to read?
Here are my top seven reading recommendations for the summer!
1. The Harry Potter Series
This one is kind of generic but it is one of my favorite book series to read. The world of Harry Potter is magical and whimsical and just the perfect escape for a summer of reading. The books are centered on the life of Harry Potter, a young wizard who is hunted down by an evil wizard, who should not be named. The books are suspenseful and leave your imagination running wild.
2. The Lord of The Rings Trilogy/The Hobbit
Each book in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy is amazingly structured to keep your mind running wild. Both the LOTR trilogy and The Hobbit are about make-believe creatures including hobbits, orcs, and my favorite, elves. I enjoyed reading these books because they are very interesting and leave me wanting more.
3. November 9 by Colleen Hoover
This book is absolutely amazing and definitely one of my favorites. If you like sappy romances then this is a great book to pick up this summer! In the book, two people meet by chance one day and decide to meet on the same day every year. There is more to the plot but I wouldn’t want to spoil it for anyone.
4. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde is one of my favorite authors, and if you read “The Picture of Dorian Gray” you would understand why. This book is dark and questions the human nature of narcissism and evil. This is a classical book, and though classical books are known to be “long and boring,” this one is definitely worth the read.
5. The Hunger Games Trilogy
If you watched the movies and didn’t like them, the book might be a better option for you. Though the movies were a little similar, they do not do the books any justice. The Hunger Game books are easy to follow and captivate your mind from the very beginning. The author does a great job of creating a pot that is interesting and leaves plenty of room for imagination.
6. Wasted by Marya Hornbacher
If you like nonfiction, this book is a great summer read. In this memoir, Hornbacher recounts her struggle with bulimia and anorexia. This book is heart-wrenching and a difficult read but it is definitely worth picking it up.
7. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
This book is a great symbol of the America dream and early 1920's America. Set in New York in the early Jazz Age, the story is recounted by the narrator, Nick, who lives next door to the rich and famous, Jay Gatsby. This book tells a story of old love and the powers and trials of wealth. Definitely a good book to read.
Reading is a great way to exercise your mind and enter different worlds. From fantasy to nonfiction, there are different genres that are interesting to everyone. The beauty of literature is that you get to leave your world for a little while and enter someone else’s. No matter what book you end up picking up this summer, remember to make it a good one!
