For me, summer has always been a time to relax with friends, lay by the pool, and catch up on all the reading that school makes me too busy for. Taken from Top-Sellers lists, recommendations from friends, and my own book list, here are the five books that I am most excited to get my nose into this summer.
"Freedom," by Jonathan Franzen
On the surface, "Freedom" tells the story of a classic American family, the Berglunds, as they navigate through the trials of raising children, the temptations of marriage, and the tangled allegiances of a modern family. Upon digging deeper, however, you realize this book has many political and social undertones that portray post-9/11 American life. This book has received high praise from book critics alike, and it is bound to be considered one of the great American novels of our time.
"Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness," by Susannah Cahalan
Susannah Cahalan shares the gripping tale of her "Month of Madness" in this autobiographical book. Prior to waking up in a hospital room with no recollection as to how she got there, she was on the brink of an independent, adult life in New York City. With a new boyfriend and a promising career in journalism, it was a shock to her friends and family when her increasingly strange and alarming behavior lead to a schizophrenia diagnosis. This story of regaining a lost identity is riveting, emotional, and deeply moving.
"Go Set a Watchman," by Harper Lee
Harper Lee's very anticipated novel, "Go Set a Watchman" will be available on bookshelves on July 14. If you have ever read "To Kill a Mockingbird," you know that this book will be a sure-fire hit. It tells the story of Scout Finch, twenty years after the events of "To Kill a Mockingbird," who grapples with her father's views on society and her feelings about where she grew up. "Go Set a Watchman" was actually written before "To Kill a Mockingbird" in the mid-1950's, but is only just being released in highly anticipated demand. Make sure to read "To Kill a Mockingbird" if you haven't in anticipation of Lee's exciting new release.
"The Girl on the Train," by Paula Hawkins
"The Girl on the Train" is a thriller like none other, as it tells the story of Rachel, who takes the same commuter train everyday of her rather despondent life. One day, however, she becomes inexplicably entangled in the events of a couple's life that she once saw as perfect when she sees something shocking from her usual spot on the train. Offering up her knowledge of what she saw from the train to the police, it is clear Rachel has possibly done more harm than good. Make sure not to read this if you have anything important to do, because you definitely won't be able to put this one down.
"Wild," by Cheryl Strayed
"Wild" is Cheryl Strayed's autobiographical tale of rising above the trials of life by returning back to nature and searching for peace in the wild. After realizing her life was falling beneath the cracks after the death of her mother and a ruined marriage, Strayed decides to hike more than 1,000 miles on the Pacific Coast Trail without any prior training or experience in the wild. It has recently been made into a movie with Reese Witherspoon, so it has gotten major national attention and acclaim. Told with humor and suspense, "Wild" tells the story of a woman on a journey that terrifies, maddens, and ultimately heals her.
