Now that summer is officially here, we find ourselves with a greater amount of free time on our hands, so what better a way entertain ourselves than cozying up with a good book! During the school year not many of us are truly able to sit down and concentrate while reading for pleasure, as we are constantly bombarded by upcoming due dates and impending plans. So now that we've the time, grab a cup of coffee and a blanket, and snuggle up with a hit. Here are my top five recommendations for this summer:
1) Me Before You
This should come as no surprise, as Me Before You is set to be one of the summer's top hits in terms of movie, but, like I do with every book, I definitely suggest reading the book before seeing the movie. The sarcastic reader may write this one off as a cheesy romance story, but underlying a heart wrenchingly beautiful love story is a controversial topic: human euthanasia, a.k.a. assisted suicide. Assisted Suicide, the self killing of a patient suffering from an incurable disease effected by the taking of lethal drugs provided by doctors for this purpose, is currently legal in multiple counties, as well as some states, in the United States. The novel gives the differing perspectives of one considering human euthanasia and one trying to desperately stop him. Ultimately, it makes the reader contemplate the situation and perhaps makes them think of what they would do. And after all, who doesn't love a good romance?
2) All the Light we Cannot See
Of course you'll have to read the novel to completely understand the double entendre of a title, but it begins with one of the protagonists being blind. Get it? She literally cannot see light. But the rest comes from the light we truly cannot see, that is, the light spectrums and electromagnetic waves used to communicate via radio, a vital part of the novel. Additionally, it comments on the tendency to focus on large events rather than the small stories, bits, and pieces that comprise the entire thing. This, in essence, is the true purpose of the novel. It follows different story lines that eventually intersect to create and give purpose to one incredible meaning. If you like humanistic, faith restored in humanity type stories, you need this book in your life.
3) Room
Room has been one of my favorite novels for years, having been published in 2010, and the movie adaptation was released in 2015. Room offers an intriguing point of view as it is told from the perspective of a five year old. But what is even more interesting than the novel's point of view is its pertaining situation: a young woman was held captive for years, abused, and now has a son with her captor. The woman, wanting the best for her son, has kept their captivity unknown, and in turn, the son believes the perimeters of the world to be limited to a single room. The perspective of the son gives the novel an innocent sense of concern that, while making the audience want to bust out into tears, is vital for the meaning, falling action, and resolution of the novel. I cannot say more without giving spoilers, but trust me, you need to read this book.
4) The Girl on the Train
The Girl on the Train. Could you possibly write a vaguer title? But what lies behind the ambiguous title is a mysterious 'who done it' type scenario. The novel breaks down into three segments, each told from the perspective of three completely different women. Each character interacts and is in the vicinity of the others, yet each lives in their own world. Each woman has her own issues: alcoholism, a mistress, and, well, a missing woman. The use of characters that are anything but ordinary gives the novel a greater than life angle. Since the novel is considered a thriller, it is full of twists and turns. The novel is comprised solely of plot, making it a pure pleasure read that will actually leave you hanging off a cliff.
5) The Book Thief
I'm not an emotional person, but this next book will make even the manliest of men shed a single tear. Like Room, The Book Thief also offers an alternative point of view, as it personifies Death and tells a story from his perspective. The omnipotent narrator recounts multiple views of World War Two and tells chilling tales, but is able to occasionally provide a sarcastic sense of humor throughout the novel, proving that Death in the flesh is not morbid and terrifying, but sassy and full of wit. Though the dry humor provides much needed comic relief from an otherwise heart wrenching story, the main literary element of this novel is its character development; the novel centers around young Liesel Meminger as she comes of age in Nazi Germany during World War Two. As the title would suggest, Liesel is the 'book thief:' she spends her youth scavenging and collecting books, learning and ultimately developing character that is integral to the resolution of the story. This book is worth the tears. It can and will destroy you emotionally, but it is definitely worth it.
So there you have it! Each of these novels is tried and true, so be sure to pick one up and give it a read this summer.
