When school lets out for the summer, many teens and young adults are left wondering what to do with so much time, besides working, sleeping, Netflix-ing and spending time with loved ones. In times of indecision, I often turn to a book. I love reading at the beach, in my yard beside my small puppy, or in a cozy spot of my house at 2 a.m. with the knowledge that I get to sleep in that day. However, with so many books to read, finding the right one can be hard, especially if you're like me and have stacks of books to consume and the personal goal of reading a book a week. Here are a few that I find myself turning to again and again.
If you like romance.
1. "The Selection" by Kiara Cass.
This book is set in a futuristic America constrained by a strict hierarchy. All of this changes for 35 girls, however, when they are brought to a castle in a competition to marry the prince and get his heart. With a witty, though rebellious, protagonist and a charming prince, this is sure to be a winner.
2. "After" by Anna Todd.
Originally a fanfiction on Wattpad, this is a story about a naïve girl struggling to find her way around college. However after a run-in with the campus' bad boy who harbors many secrets, she learns about loving herself and others.
If you like biographical work.
3. "Not That Kind of Girl" by Lena Dunham.
This book is both funny and raw as Lena discusses her life through small snapshots of her life and experiences. With relatable discussions of love, natural talk of growing into oneself and a revealing description of anxiety and OCD, her book has something for everyone.
4. "Life" by Keith Richards.
There are looks at life on the road, addiction, passion, friendship and so much more in this large, at times overwhelming, book. For someone who likes big books and cannot lie, this is a perfect look into the mind of the famed Rolling Stones member.
If you like mystery.
5. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn.
This book makes for an exciting read about a woman working to uncover a 25-year-old truth about the night her family was murdered by her brother. With a mysterious society leading her and the recovering of old relationships, the protagonist makes her way through a dramatic and exciting few weeks. After you read the book, be sure to catch the movie starring Charlize Theron!
If you like adventure.
6. Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.
This is the story of, literally, a home for peculiar children, though some of them are hundreds of years old. When a young boy with mysterious connections finds the home, trouble comes and an adventure of monsters, ships and friendships ensues.
7. The 39 Steps by Richard Buchan.
The story takes place in the Scottish countryside during World War I as a man runs from the law. He works towards proving his innocence in an investigation and aiding his country in winning the war. This novel incorporates legal intrigue, excitement and history into an enrapturing bundle of pages.
8. "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon.
The story is a historical, dramatic adventure in a delicious cover, appreciated at most by true bibliophiles. The novel follows Claire in Scotland at the end of World War II, as she is kidnapped, forced to marry and on the run. Facing many trials, this story unfolds dramatically as Claire forms a new life in a post-war world.
If you want a beach read.
9. "The Summer I Turned Pretty" by Jenny Han.
The story brings a girl to a summer home, a place she's visited for years, belonging to a family friend, the mother of two charming sons. When the summer brings new feelings, the teens must decide who, and what, they want out of life while facing a heavy burden.
If you like poetry.
10. Beautiful & Damned by Robert M. Drake.
This is a collection of poetry, stories and flowing language to be adored and soaked in by anyone in need of beauty and tasteful linguistics. This book is a masterpiece in many ways and one to adorn a bookshelf for many years.
If you prefer a comic book.
11. "They're Not Like Us."
This is a comic about a young girl with telepathic abilities who is taken into the home of other talented young people for protection and use. As she discovers secrets of those around her, she is faced with life-altering decisions. Volumes one and two are currently available with issues being released regularly.
12. "Phonogram."
The story follows the Britpop music scene intertwining magical characters as they seek out the magic of music and those involved. Adventurous and truly spellbinding with fascinating characters, this novel takes on a well placed storyline with beautiful illustrations. All three volumes are currently available. The series has recently been finalized.
If you like sci-fi/fantasy.
13. "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeline L'Engle.
Traditionally thought of as a children's novel, this stands strong for people of all ages. A trio is transported through time and space to rescue their father from good and evil forces as they meet an array of characters and challenges.
If you like historical work.
14. "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay.
The book follows a young girl shaken by Nazis and a journalist, who years later, tries to unravel her story. In parallel lives and vastly different times, both women experience drama and trial as history meets the present in unlikely ways.
15. "Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
This is the story of a book, forbidden and the last of its kind, in the possession of a young man determined to preserve it against all odds and many who want it destroyed. The book tells of a forbidden life as this story brings the past to the present with the story of the boy, soon a man, and the writer. With love, adventure, beautifully described villains and discussions of the impact of books, this novel makes for a stunning book sure to keep you on the egde of your seat.
