It’s that time of year again: finals season has loosened its deathly grip on your sanity and released you into the sweet, sweet freedom of summertime. What do you do with this newfound freedom? Why, pick up a book, of course!
Seriously, now that summer reading isn’t mandatory anymore, it can actually be enjoyable. Summer’s also the perfect time to catch up on those books you cast aside during the school year when you were too brain-dead to even consider pleasure reading. Most people associate stereotypical beach reads with light books about fleeting summer romances. But some of my favorite summer reads have not been like those novels at all. If you like thrilling page-turners that are a little darker than your typical beach reads, here are seven not so light recommendations:
1. The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
This book is the king (or perhaps, prince) of jaw-dropping literature. Full of insane twists and unbelievable events, The Prince of Tides is like a perpetual emotional roller coaster, saving its most dramatic drop for the ending. Not only is it suspenseful, but it touches on pretty much every element of the human experience—issues of gender, race, abuse, love, war, and everything in between. Tip for summer: Shut your bedroom window if you’re about to read it before going to sleep. You’ll know why.
2. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
We all get a little stir-crazy in the summer, don’t we? Into the Wild examines the very true story of Christopher McCandless, a regular guy who trekked around the United States without a car, money, or possessions. After reading this book, you’ll either think McCandless was a self-righteous lunatic, or a courageous inspiration to us all. Either way, you cannot deny the compelling story that Krakauer derives from the young vagabond’s experience. Tip for summer: Read this book while camping. Unless you’re camping in Alaska.
3. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
On the outside, this book, published in 1890, might seem like a novel that your English teacher would have assigned. But on the inside, Dorian Gray tells a story eerily prevalent to today’s society, touching on themes like the consequences of vanity, what it means to stay young and beautiful forever, and the deception of images. Not to mention, it is one of the most eloquently written novels you will ever read, thanks to the literary genius of Wilde. Tip for summer: Read this book outside in a crowded park so that everyone can witness how classy you are.
4. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
Nothing makes better reading than a killer ending. And man, does Shutter Island deliver. The epitome of a psychological thriller, this book takes you through the mystery of a missing patient at a mental institution in the mid twentieth century. Take the phrase, “nothing is as it seems,” multiply it by one hundred, and you have an excellent description for this winding plot. Tip for summer: Don’t read this book while vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, or any other island. Just stay away from islands altogether and you’ll be okay.
5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Even if you have seen the movie version, do not avoid this book. Both in style and content, The Book Thief serves as a remarkable testament of the power of words. In this novel, Death serves as the narrator, making for a perplexing, dark plot right from page one. Expect feelings of deep love for some of the characters, intermixed with disbelief and utter disgust regarding the horrors of the second world war. Tip for summer: Contrary to the tip featured in #3, don’t read the last few chapters in public. Especially if you’re an ugly crier.
6. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
What better time of year to reexamine how baseball is a metaphor for life than the summer? The Art of Fielding explores how one traumatic fielding error can drastically change the lives of five characters forever. Even if you aren’t a huge baseball fan, this book can relate to anyone who has ever had to live with the repercussions of his or her mistakes. It’s also set on a college campus, making for an excellent novel for young adults. Tip for summer: Although you might be tempted to, don’t read this book during a baseball game, lest a misdirected throw sends a ball flying your way.
