With summer fast approaching, many students are finding themselves with much less on their schedules, and many of them are looking for new books to fill their time. Below are some recommendations for a summer reading list, ranging in genre from memoir to mystery.
If you’re looking for a Sci-Fi thriller with a splash of horror, look now further than The Illuminae Files. Written by Amie Kaufman, this suspenseful trilogy follows teenagers Kady Grant and Ezra Mason in their effort to fight back against the corporation destroying their lives. Each new book in the series masterfully expands on the last, keeping you engaged and entertained throughout. You’ll end the series with mixed feelings (and maybe higher blood pressure than you started with). Overall, a 9/10, and perfect for a long road trip or flight during your summer vacation!
Now I personally was obsessed with Percy Jackson and Greek mythology as a child, and I’m quite sure that many of you were too. With the end of most of Rick Riordan’s mythology series, and the Percy Jackson series close on the horizon, plenty of people are looking for something to fill the hole left behind. Look no further than Madeline Miller! Author of The Song of Achilles and Circe, Madeline masterfully weaves together ancient myth and modern interpretation to craft a story that will pull you in and not let go (Just like Charybdis). The Song of Achilles follows Achilles and Patroclus from childhood to death, focusing on the persistence of their romance throughout ages, until death do them part. Circe, in contrast, expands on the tale of the witch Circe, giving us an insight into her childhood and motivations, the challenges she faced, and her eventual revelation. Circe also focuses on feminism as a theme, and empowers the women of Greece to tell their stories rather than their husbands’. Between the two, a perfect 10/10.
If you’re interested in something more real, Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan is a hard hitting, emotional story following four pairs of mother and daughter as they work through generational trauma, loss of culture, and the ever-expanding divide between them. Each new chapter offers a new perspective, and before the story ends, everything has changed. Some of it will feel a little too real, but Tan’s lived experience and vibrant writing makes the book come to life. 10/10
Finally, if you’d like to add some nonfiction to your list, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah follows his life story, from his childhood in South Africa, to his teenage years, to his life and career now. Through the lens of his personal brand of humor, Noah explores themes of racism, othering, and the effect these items have on a child living through them. Combining powerful stories of overcoming societal expectations with humorous anecdotes, such as his time as a DJ and his jumps between schools, Noah crafts an engaging, wonderful telling of his own story. 10/10
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