Do you have a lot going on this summer and need to relax during down time? Or do you have a lot of down time and not a lot to accomplish? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, I urge you to use this summer as an opportunity to READ! If you're going in to college, a twenty-something-year-old or anywhere in between, here is a list of twelve books you should take the time to read this summer!
1. The Nanny Diaries
Author: Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
Genre: Chick Lit fiction
Movie? Yes!
Nanny Diaries is a hilarious novel and bestseller telling the tales of the two authors and their nannying experiences through a fictitious character Nanny Hutchinson. In 2010 McLaughlin and Kraus released Nanny Returns, a sequel.
“if you'e going to do something, darling, then do it all the way.” -McLaughlin and Kraus
2. Yes, Please
Author: Amy Poehler
Genre: Humor Memoir
Movie? Nope!
Yes Please is a book filled with witty advice in which we could seriously use this summer. We can only hope a sequel is to come soon!
“However, if you do start crying in an argument and someone asks why, you can always say, 'I'm just crying because of how wrong you are.'” -Amy Pohler
3. Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Genre: Young-adult fiction
Movie? Nope!
A devastating novel about the oppressions and hardships that teenagers face in high school. This book is relatable while teaching important life lessons. Thirteen Reasons Why will have you in tears almost immediately.
“No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people. Oftentimes, we have no clue. Yet we push it just the same.” - Jay Asher
4. The Glass Castle
Author: Jeannette Walls
Genre: Memoir
Movie? Nope!
A memoir highlighting the struggles of poverty and disfunction throughout families. Jeannette taps into our emotions while telling her story with amazing imagery and immense detail.
“You should never hate anyone, even your worst enemies. Everyone has something good about them. You have to find the redeeming quality and love the person for that.” - Jeannette Walls
5. It's Kind of a Funny Story
Author: Ned Vizzini
Genre: Young-adult Fiction
Movie? Yes!
A novel commenting on the effects of peer pressure on teenagers and the results of depression and anxiety. This book was inspired by Vizzini's own hospital stay due to depression two years prior.
“I can't eat and I can't sleep. I'm not doing well in terms of being a functional human, you know?” - Ned Vizzini
6. Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green
Genre: Young-adult Fiction
Movie? Not yet, but rumor has it there will be soon!
If you loved The Fault in our Stars as much as the rest of the world Looking for Alaska should be in your hands immediately. John Green, again, has us in tears throughout this novel.
“Thomas Edison's last words were "It's very beautiful over there". I don't know where there is, but I believe it's somewhere, and I hope it's beautiful.” - John Green
7. Nineteen Minutes
Author: Jody Picoult
Genre: Thriller
Movie? Nope!
A book focussing on a high school shooting in which Picoult examines the events surrounding the day and goes into depth the horror behind school shootings. You won't be able to put this book down once you start.
"If you gave someone your heart and they died, did they take it with them? Did you spend the rest of forever with a hole inside you that can't be filled?" -Jody Picoult
8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Genre: Young-adult fiction Epistolary
Movie? Yes!
A series of letters from protagonist, Charlie, that remark on issues that are especially prominent in teenagers such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders and peer pressures.
“I just want you to know that you’re very special… and the only reason I’m telling you is that I don’t know if anyone else ever has.” - Stephen Chbosky
9. Eat, Pray, Love
Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
Genre: Memoir
Movie? Yes!
A deep novel documenting one divorced woman's world travels. Gilbert documents the elements of her life influenced throughout India, Italy and Indonesia
“This is a good sign, having a broken heart. It means we have tried for something.”- Elizabeth Gilbert
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10. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs
Genre: Horror Fiction
Movie? Yes, to be released September 2016
A haunting novel compromised of narratives and photographsdepicting the life of a small boy after wandering to an abandoned orphanage.
"There was a time when we could mix openly with common folk. […] But the larger world turned against us long ago." - Ransom Riggs
11. Bossypants
Author: Tina Fey
Genre: Autobiographical
Movie? Nope!
Comedian Tina Fey uses humor in order to tell her life story and teach important lessons... this novel is nothing short of hilarious!
“Some people say, “Never let them see you cry.” I say, if you’re so mad you could just cry, then cry. It terrifies everyone.” - Tina Fey
12. Gone Girl
Author: Gillian Flynn
Genre: Thriller
Movie? Yes!
A suspenseful novel about a mans involvement in his wife's disappearance. The book is praised for its thrilling details and plot twists.
“There’s something disturbing about recalling a warm memory and feeling utterly cold.” - Gillian Flynn
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