With summer here, most people have a little bit more time to pick up a book. Whether you're at home or on the beach, these "just because" reads can make your summer!
1. "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon
Have you ever heard of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency? Well, if you have it, you are basically allergic to the world. This is also known as Bubble Baby Syndrome. Madeline is seventeen years old and a prisoner in her own home, but she knows no different. She knows that she cannot go beyond the walls of her house, which filters the air just so she can breathe. So what does she do when a sweet, attractive boy moves in next door? How can Madeline fall in love when she can't even escape her own disease?
2. "Not If I See You First" by Eric Lindstrom
Parker is a super snarky, fierce high school girl who doesn't put up with people who treat her differently. Why would Parker be treated differently? She is blind. Parker has a set of rules she tells everyone she meets and the most important one is to never deceive her. Especially if you are using her blindness. So what does Parker do when the one boy she loved who broke her rule comes back into her life? Read "Not If I See You First" if you want to follow the emotional roller coaster Parker goes through dealing with death, relationships, and finding herself.
3. "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
Jude is very close to her twin brother, Noah. She talks for him, they tell each other everything, and they are best friends. Noah is falling for the boy next door while Jude is off being adventurous. But fast forward three years and the twins do not talk to each other. The story of them being young is told by Noah, while the story of them older is told by Jude. Be sure to pick this book up and figure out what happened between Jude and Noah. Can they find their way back to each other?
4. "November 9" by Colleen Hoover
Fallon meets Ben the day before she moves across the country. They end up spending that entire day together. When Ben and Fallon realize that they have a connection, they agree to meet up every year on the same date. This novel captures their meeting every year, the love that grows between them, and the twist that takes our breaths away.
5. "All the Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven
Theodore Finch and Violet Markey meet standing on the ledge of the bell tower at school. Both are confused as to who saves who from a devastating loss. Later, they are paired up in their class to find the natural wonders of their home state. Violet and Theodore grow into each other's worlds as their time runs out. Be sure to pick up this emotional novel and don't blame me for your tears.
