Summer 2015 is in full swing. Cue the late afternoon barbecues, weekends spent tubing on the river, and mass amounts of watermelon you plan to consume. But perhaps most importantly, cue all of the free time for binge reading. I spend a lot of my free time reading, and as a consequence my friends are always begging me to stop talking about book characters. However, sometimes people will ask for my recommendations, and so here I include the seven most recent books I have been swallowed by, with hopes that you may pick a few up for your reading list this summer. A good book can bring you company anywhere in the world, and a good story can provide the escape you need from a boring summer at home. So no matter what your plans are for this summer, there is always room for a good novel.
"Chocolates for Breakfast" by Pamela Moore
Recommended For: anyone who gets too attached to fictional characters.
Moore creates a world filled with sex, scandal, and cocktail parties. A world that looks a lot like what I imagine Gossip Girl would like if set in the 1950s. Crippled by an uncontrollable sadness she cannot escape, Courtney Farrell, is a young girl on the cusp of adulthood. The novel depicts her erratic coming of age story, following her from boarding school to the grimy world of Hollywood and finally to the charming youth-run scene of New York City. With writing so vulnerable you feel as if you are reading your inner most thoughts, and with characters so authentic you cannot help but root for them, Moore reels you in to the world of Chocolates, but she never manages to let you go. You’re hooked to the story long after the final page.
"Reconstructing Amelia" by Kimberly McCreight
Recommended For: anyone who loved "Gone Girl."
If you’re looking for chills to run up your spine or perhaps even an anxious page-turner, this is the book for you. Amelia Baron, at 15 years old, is declared dead, leaving her single mother to mourn her for months before discovering a tip that Amelia’s supposed suicide was really a covered up murder. Kate Baron is then thrown into the private world of her late daughter, as she slowly realizes the horrors Amelia faced via social media and mean-girl bullying groups within her final days. Plus, the ending is one of the best twists I have ever experienced.
"Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel
Recommended For: anyone who loves a long story.
"Station Eleven" is a force of a book. You simply cannot put this book down until you see how everything will unfold. The story revolves around the entanglement of the fates of several strangers during a great flu pandemic, which manages to destroy civilization. While the book is certainly post-apocalyptic, it reads more as a love story to humanity. With countless twists and surprises, this book had me counting my blessings by the end of it.
"The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls" by Anton DiSclafani
Recommended For: anyone who loves coming of age books.
What happens when you do something you cannot forgive yourself for? DiSclafani answers this question with the story of Thea, a young girl, sent to boarding school after a scandal for which she is responsible rips her family apart. The story focuses equally on the competitive horse-riding scene and how impulsive decisions can often lead to a young girl’s self-destruction. Tessa is much like a phoenix, in that she is constantly rising from the ashes of her many catastrophes, (and trust me, you want to follow her journey of mistakes).
"How To Build A Girl" by Caitlin Moran
Recommended For: anyone looking for a good laugh.
Caitlin Moran is an icon of wit and raunchy humor. Her latest novel, "How to Build a Girl" demonstrates her ability to create unforgettable characters such as 14-year-old Johanna Morrigan, a school drop out turned rock star journalist who wants nothing more than to grow up and live a life full of scandal and glamour. Following Johanna through her journey with bad boy rock stars, sleazy older men, and her eccentric family will keep you thoroughly entertained at the least, and laughing until you cry at best.
"The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P." by Adelle Waldman
Recommended For: girls who want to understand the male psyche.
Waldman reveals the thought process of men, concerning the many women in their life, by allowing the reader to crawl around inside the head of your typical 20 something bachelor, Nathaniel P. The awkward situations are relatable and the writing is incredibly clever. Sometimes, Nate’s thoughts can read quite horrific, and often times many of Nate’s ideas seem silly, but the character of Nathaniel P. is certainly a realistic portrayal of the average, single male.
"The Gifts of Imperfection" by Dr. Brene Brown
Recommended For: anyone looking to change his or her life.
Usually, I would never recommend a “self-help” book, as that is not exactly my style of reading. However, I discovered this book on a recent trip to Mexico, and with one read I learned so much more about others and myself than I had from almost anything else. This book will teach you how to love yourself fully and unapologetically, and it will remind you that the backbone of humanity focuses around three essential values: courage, compassion, and connection. If you’re looking for a fresh start, then study this book as if it were a textbook for the class of Major Life Change 101.
