Looking for a page-turner to take with you to the beach? Maybe you’ve been desperate for something to pass the time between pool parties and summer carnivals. If so, there’s something here for everyone!
1. "Milk and Honey" by Rupi Kaur
Fair warning: This collection of poetry made me cry on public transport. Try to have a cookie in hand for when your heart bleeds out for this incredibly talented author.
"Milk and Honey" is about survival. Written in both poetry and prose, it contains four chapters surrounding topics of loss and beauty. There are also a few pieces on violence and abuse, so please read with caution.
2. "Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs
Looking for a creepy thriller that’s going to be put on the big screen this fall? Look no further. This book takes place at a seemingly abandoned orphanage on a mysterious island. Join Jacob as he sets off on an adventure that will send shivers down your spine.
3. "Why Not Me?" by Mindy Kaling
If you weren't already aware, this woman is hilarious and incredibly inspiring. Through a series of lively essays that are sure to bring a smile to you face, she talks about her ongoing journey through adulthood. Similar books written by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have been popular among the younger generations, so this one is sure to make your summer vacation full of laughs.
4. "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline
For lovers of video games and dystopian adventures— this pick is for you.
In 2044, Wade Watts is living in a world that’s gone to crap. The only solace he gets is when he’s hooked up to the virtual utopia, OASIS. After spending his life obsessing over the creator’s puzzles, he stumbles upon a clue that could lead to a future that promises power and fortune. But in order to win the prize, Wade will have to confront the real world he’s been trying to escape his entire life.
5. "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart
A summer mystery that's both eerie and suspenseful. I’m not going to tell you much more than that it's chock full of secrets and lies, so buckle up and grab your tissues. It’s perfect for an exciting beach read you could finish in one sitting. Plus, look at the blurb on the book's cover! Even John Green thinks this story is pretty neat.
6. "Legend" by Marie Lu
This is the start of a compelling dystopian series taking place in what was once the western United States— now home of the Republic. An unlikely pair is brought together on a mission for vengeance. Fans of "The Hunger Games" should definitely be picking this book up next!
7. "Since You’ve Been Gone" by Morgan Matson
People who have enjoyed Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han will love this book! When Emily’s best friend disappears she leaves Emily behind a summer to-do list. Some of the activities listed are manageable— dancing until dawn, apple picking at night, but others will require courage. Hopefully Emily will be able pluck up some spunk and have a summer she’ll never forget.
8. "Illuminae" by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Fans of "The Walking Dead" and "Star Wars," this is my gift to you.
Illuminae’s unique format sets it apart from your average epic space adventure because it’s told in text messages and scavenged documents. Best of all, it’s also told through the perspective of an AI gone rogue. But if you get the chance to hear this story in audiobook format, do it. It’s an amazing production that makes you feel like you’re running through the halls of an abandoned spaceship being chased by zombie-like people trying to kill you. If anything, it will help motivate you to pick up the pace on the treadmill. We have to get that beach body ready somehow, right?
9. "Attachments" by Rainbow Rowell
Attachments is one of those books that just makes you feel good. As usual for a Rainbow Rowell, she tells Lincoln's story in a quirky manner and way funnier than you would expect. He's the guy in the office who is hired to hand out warnings to those who break the company’s email rules. But when he comes across an email thread between two best friends, Beth and Jennifer, he doesn’t warn them because they seem nice and really funny-- also he’s kind of in love with Beth.
I hope these recommendations will help make your vacation sweet and full of feel-good adventures. Best of luck to you with summer reading, I’m wishing you all the best.
