Summer is the best time to read. Taking a book to the beach, the pool, or the park is my favorite way to relax and not turn to mush over the break. But reading can often seem like a drag after all the assigned readings you had to do for English class. Here’s a list of 7 books guaranteed to captivate your interest and keep you busy.
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
This novel paints a picture of a wealthy family in New England and what happened to them over one summer. Told through the eyes of the eldest cousin, plagued by headaches, this story is sure to keep you glued to the page.
2. The Alienist by Caleb Carr
The Alienist brings the reader back to New York in the late 1890s, featuring a murder spree of young boys. With guest appearances by Theodore Roosevelt pre-presidential election, The Alienist is the gruesome and historical mystery that keeps you on your toes.
- 3. The Great Gatby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The life of Manhattan’s elite in the 1920s, all shadowed by Gatsby, the mysterious host of grand parties. A spellbinding American Classic with an age old meaning. If you didn’t read this book in 11th grade English: you must read it. If you did, read it again.
- 4. Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
A modern take on Pride and Prejudice, Eligible follows the Bennets to Cincinnati, Ohio. Liz is a writer, Jane is a yoga instructor, Lydia and Kitty do Cross-fit and Mary is just trying to pretend she doesn’t know her family. Hilarious and enticing, Eligible is one of my top picks for summer.
- 5. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
One of my favorite books of all time, The Secret History opens up on narrator Richard Papen’s entrance to Hampden College, a private liberal arts school in Vermont. He joins a tight clique of students majoring in the Classics, and their story unwinds through secrets and murder, following the outline of a Greek tragedy. Tartt’s novel is an exploration of the Greek ideals and how they pertain to society today.
- 6. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (and the rest of the Flavia de Luce mysteries) by Alan Bradley
Set in England in the 1950s, Flavia de Luce is an 11 year old girl with a passion for chemistry. Her knowledge in the subject comes in handy, especially when she discovers a dead man lying in her garden. This mystery is a witty and clever opening to the series and will hold your attention.
- 7. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is another one of my favorite books. It tells the story of Francie Nolan, the daughter of poor immigrants living in Brooklyn in the 1910s. The novel follows Francie as she grows up and faces the struggles that come with being a working-class girl. Although its size seems intimidating, her story of determination and hard work will warm your heart.
