This week marked the official start of summer and the longest day of the entire year. For many of us, these precious extra hours of sunshine and free time off of school provide the perfect inspiration for self-improvement! Most people feel an extra spark of inspiration in the summer months to better themselves or start working towards a personal goal whether it’s to get physically fit, travel to foreign countries, or pick up a new hobby.
And one of the most popular and admirable summer goals is to expand your mind and use your down time to read more! There’s nothing better than laying out on the beach and getting lost in a new story and most bookworms have a mile long “to-read” list that they swore they’d get around to eventually during the school year…
But if you find yourself at a lost for what books to pack for vacation or if you usually limit your picks to the same three or four authors, it might be time to explore another section of the library and pick up a few of these suggestions ranging from classics to brand new releases.
If you love steamy Hollywood drama….
1. “Valley of the Dolls” by Jaqueline Susann
One of the biggest and highest-selling books to come out of the 1960s, “Valley of the Dolls” offers a gritty inside look into the lives of three young women rising up the ranks of fame during the Golden Era of Broadway and Hollywood. Taking inspiration from real-life starlets like Judy Garland and Ethel Merman, Sussan’s novel dives deeply into issues of female sexuality, gender roles, drug abuse, and celebrity culture. With a new scandal on practically every page, this is the perfect hot summer page-turner!
If you love historical fiction and murder mysteries…
2. “The Secret History “by Donna Tartt
Basically a book version of “How to Get Away With Murder” featuring a lot more Ancient Greek, Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History” has gained cult classic status and earned a Pulitizer Prize for its deeply complex and quirky cast of characters and jaw-dropping plot twists. If you thought your freshman year was eventful you won’t believe the secrets kept by a group of Classic majors at a sleepy Vermont college.
If you love twisted, action-packed thrillers…
3. “Into the Water” by Paula Hawkins
“Girl on the Train” topped practically every bestseller list last summer and was even adapted into a hit film starring Emily Blunt. Now author Paula Hawkins returns just in time for Summer 2017 with another dark and captivating thriller. After the bodies of a single mother and a teenager both mysteriously turn up dead at the bottom of the river, a lonely 15-year-old girl is left behind to uncover the strange secrets that led to their deaths. “Into the Water” is packed with psychological suspense that’ll have you gasping for breath until the last page!
If you love young adult fantasy and adventure…
4. “Gork, The Teenage Dragon”
Don’t let the silly title fool you. Author Gabe Hudson’s debut novel is a heartwarming and hilarious read that will appeal to lovers of world-building fantasy like “Harry Potter” and “Eragon.”
Approaching his graduation from WarWings Military Academy, bumbling dragon Gork must prepare to enter the real world. In his quest to prove himself and find his perfect mate, Gork must go head-to-head with Jocks, Nerds, Mutants, and even a mad scientist! Give this book a shot when you’re in the mood for a ton of laughs and some fun, magical escapism.
If you love classic literature and gorgeous prose…
5. “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabokov
If you really want to impress people with what you read this summer, take on this classic Russian novel about a man’s obsession and eventual relationship with a young girl. Not only is “Lolita” a fascinating read for its dark and heartbreaking subject matter, Nabokov’s descriptions and innovative use of language, allusion, and flashbacks make it one of the most memorable and rewarding works in all of literature.
If you love period dramas and unconventional romance…
6. “Fingersmith” by Sarah Waters
British author Sarah Waters has gained widespread popularity with her many bestselling mystery novels, which are remarkable for both their unexpected plot twists and prominent same-sex relationships. “Fingersmith” might be the most intricate of all of Water’s works, telling the tale of con woman who partners with a nefarious Count by posing as a servant for a rich English noble woman in order to steal her fortune. However things soon get tricky when the servant suddenly finds herself involved in a relationship with her mistress…
If you need another reason to pick up this 400-page caper, it was also the inspiration behind 2016’s popular BBC miniseries “The Handmaiden” which shifted the story from 18th century England to Japanese-occupied South Korea.
If you love celebrity memoirs and feminist lit…
7. “How to Be a Woman” by Caitlin Moran
Caitlin Moran first grabbed my attention last summer when I read her hilarious and intensely real fiction book “How To Build A Girl” about a teenager growing up in 1970s London who accidentally becomes a famous rock critic. “How To Be A Woman,” Moran’s nonfiction chronicle of her experience as a columnist for “The New York Times” is equally as impressive, offering a witty, uncensored account of all the struggles that come with being a woman in the workforce. Both a thoughtful examination of the complicated politics of feminism as well as a personal coming-of-age-memoir, this book will leave you feeling ready to take on the world.
No matter what your taste, there’s a perfect book waiting for you to discover this summer!
