Rarely during the school year do students have the luxury of picking out a good book and curling up in bed to read for a few hours. With the free time we do have, most prefer to spend time with friends or mindlessly watch Netflix to relax. However, during the summer we tend to have much more time for ourselves, even if we have a job. Instead of sitting down in front of the TV every evening, my goal is to read part of a book to wind down. Whether it's a Nicholas Sparks romance or a historical novel, reading is a great way to stimulate your brain while relaxing at the same time. Here are just a few books to suit various interests.
For the adventurer:
Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan
This Pulitzer Prize winning memoir about a lifelong surfer turned New Yorker writer will have you gazing out windows yearning to be in the warm summer air, preferably on a beach. Finnegan describes his love, and sometimes obsession for surfing, taking you on a journey from the United States to the South Pacific, Australia, Africa, and Asia. If you're yearning for adventure but aren't able to take a vacation, this is the perfect summer read.
If you're feeling nostalgic:
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
If you loved To Kill a Mockingbird, get ready to see Scout in a new light. As an adult, Scout returns home from New York City to see her father in the midst of the Civil Rights movements in the South. The story features many of the same characters and issues as To Kill a Mockingbird, so this may bring you back to your middle or high school English classes. Although Lee wrote this in the 1950s, the novel was only discovered and published last year, giving it a unique perspective on the issues of the time.
For the thrill-seeker:
The Other Woman's House by Sophie Hannah
If you enjoy psychological thrillers or mystery novels, you'll love this novel by Sophie Hannah. When searching for new homes online, Connie Bowskill comes across a horrific scene in one of the photos -- a woman laying facedown in a pool of blood. But when she tries to show her husband the same photo, the scene is completely gone, instead showing a normal room with a perfectly clean carpet. The image intrigues yet terrifies her at the same time, causing her to question if she's going crazy.
To grip you:
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
If you haven't read this book before, you absolutely have to read Hosseini's depictions of the perils faced by Afghani women. A deeply moving novel, Hosseini carries you through the lives of two women, both the wives of an abusive husband, who are brought together through marriage, family, and war. Through their stories, the author shows that love and loyalty can be brought forth even in the most difficult circumstances.
To curl up with:
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
This novel depicts the lives of two women, both mothers, one married, one divorced, and how their lives come together in the face of unfortunate circumstances. The beliefs of both as a result of an accident, causing them to question how one's choices affect the lives of others. The women both realize that each other's lives aren't quite as perfect as they appear from the outside.
For the beach-reader:
The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares
Written by the author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, this novel describes the story of two sisters returning to the summer beach community that has been a part of their lives since childhood. However, when their friend Paul returns to the town after a three year absence, romance and hidden secrets begin to emerge. This is the ideal read for relaxing on the beach or by the pool.
If you need some inspiration:
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
If you're a lover of Saturday Night Live, need some advice, or just want to see how to become successful (spoiler alert: hard work is usually involved), then check out Poehler's autobiography. This seems like a fun read that will allow you to get to know the actress a little bit better too.
If you're looking for a challenge:
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
This novel is definitely a difficult read, but totally worth it if you're up for the challenge. It is narrated by the various members of the Bundren family as they travel through the Mississippi countryside to bury their mother. Each chapter is told by a different person, revealing family secrets and painting a full and complete picture of each character.
