Summer's busy enough with jobs, beach trips, and many more adventures. However, your down time shouldn't be filled with naps and watching TV. Pick up a good book and get involved with a whole new lifestyle. Here are a few good books anticipated to be the best summer reads of 2016.
"Salt to the Sea"
Ruta Sepetys
This book follows the stories of refugees boarding a ship where "all promises cannot be kept". What with recent news about Syrian refugees, this gives a whole new prospective to real world problems people are facing in today's society. The point of view of the book takes you on an enthralling journey that may just change your mind on a few talked about topics.
"Wink Poppy Midnight"
April Genevieve Tucholke
Wink is the odd girl in town, your mysterious red haired, freckled neighborhood kid. Poppy is the blonde bully, the classically manipulative queen bee of the high school. Midnight is the kind, unnoticed boy stuck between the two. Something happened, someone is lying, and someone knows. This book with its twists and turns will have you up reading all night long. Its story line will make you believe you're living amongst the characters themselves.
"The Square Root of Summer"
Harriet Reuter Hapgood
Gottie H. Oppenheimer finds herself at a loss for time in her beach side town, literally, as the very fabric of the universe begins to fray in her home. She's sent into the past with brutal memories of love, grief, and all the mixed emotions of a teenage girl. The real world emotions she faces are relatable on the level of any teenage girl who has experienced love. As the summer approaches, her past present and future collide in a turn of events that will keep you interested until the very last page.
"Highly Illogical Behavior"
John Corey Whaley
Sixteen year old Solomon "Sol" has agoraphobia, the fear of being placed in a situation that may cause anxiety, panic, or embarrassment. He hasn't left the house in three years, and he's okay with that. Lisa, a psychology student, takes Sol on as her newest and hardest project, trying to "fix" him. Lisa's boyfriend joins in on the relationship and the three bond in unexpected ways. However, as Lisa's boyfriend (Clark) begins to get closer with Sol, the walls they've built around themselves begin to crumble, as well as their relationships with each other. The reality of phobias and overcoming social anxiety makes readers feel as if they're not alone, because they aren't. It's an interesting read for anyone, especially those who can relate to the fears of Sol.
"The Lovely Reckless"
Kami Garcia
After facing the death of her boyfriend, seventeen year old Frankie decides to live by her own rules, "nothing matters." That is until a reckless mistake leaves her to live with her dad who works as an undercover cop. A big change occurs for Frankie as she leaves her privileged life behind to live in Downs, where she must attend pubic school. At her new school football is nothing but a past time for kids, illegal street racing is where the fun's at. A notorious street racer, Marco, gets involved with Frankie. He has a secret that he's holding from Frankie about his family, and when she finds it out, there's no telling what she'll do. This book will change your prospective on how people live in this world. The drastic difference from Frankie's privileged lifestyle to her life with her dad will make you be thankful for all that you have. The secrets and reactions within the book will keep you on your feet, as well as the young romance that Frankie and Marco go through.
"The Raven King"
Maggie Stiefvater
In a fantasy world, Gansey has been on a quest for years trying to find the lost king. As he continues his quest he draws other characters in with him. Ronan, who steals from dreams, Adam, whose life is no longer his own, Noah, whose life is no longer a lie and Blue, who loves Gansey but is also almost certain she's destined to kill him. The story of Gansey's quest will take you all over the place, leaving you begging for more. This book is a must read for all fantasy lovers.
