I think we can all agree: summer is great. It’s great for so many reasons. As a student, it disrupts the chaotic and unpredictable schedule of school and provides time to let life slow down and think and reflect without deadlines as far as the eye can see. Days are sunny and long, and I remember how much the warmth and light lifts my mood. For many of us, summer includes work – which can include a certain degree of stress and deadlines, but it’s different than school – it’s over by 5 o’clock (ish) and doesn’t require attention on the weekends. This whole concept of social weeknights and “weekends” is a particularly strange phenomenon for me because I am spending the summer working in New Haven. A place, I would have previously defined by all things Yale. Now, I find myself wandering all over town feeling a little lost about what to do and where to be without constant stress and anxiety hanging over my head – it’s a pretty great feeling.
I devote the adequate amount of my summer free time to sleeping because why the hell not. I also cook, workout, and read – all things I do during school! The type and style of reading takes a different shape during the summer. It’s not frantic or exhaustive, like reading for school. It’s relaxed, enjoyable, or anything else I decide I want it to be. For the few weeks immediately following finals period, I let my brain thaw, but once it feels mushy enough – I get back to the books!
I know it’s a waste, but I love to read in paper. I try to make myself feel better and buy books used or borrow a friends copy. Reading from my iPad feels like school and is too stimulating for my eyes before bed. I don’t think all reading has to be conventional though – I love Audible. I pretty much always have a book to listen to walking around, before bed, or even for working out. (I know that’s weird, but I find it entertaining.) I am particularly grateful for Audible’s sleep timers. As someone who struggles to fall asleep, it’s the perfect way to zone out of my own head, without any screens waking me back up. Whether you want to read in paper, on a screen, or listen along – here are seven books I’ve read over the past few summers. They’re all a little different, and forgive me if I’m behind, but every year I have a few months worth to catch up on!
Before I give my suggestions: If you have not read Harry Potter – please, I beg you, start there.
7 Summer Reads
*in no particular order
Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng
What? The drama takes places in 90s suburban Shaker Heights, Ohio. It starts with a house fire – begging the questions: who set it and why? It’s a story of a dependent and complicated relationship between a “perfect” suburban family and a more unconventional mom and daughter duo.
Why? It reads quickly – like most mysteries, but the story line isn’t just about the fires. All the characters are implicated in some way we see morals and lines criss-crossing in the messiness of life.
Hunger, Roxanne Gay
What? A Memoir of (my) Body fills in the miscellaneous chapters from Bad Feminist about the story of Roxane Gay’s life, her traumas, and the complexity of our bodies.
Why? Her raw yet accessible narrative grabs you in and the book quickly flows off the pages. The edges of the writing are rough – just like the story she tells and the point she makes. It’s reflective but not resolute – an important representation about where most of us stand in our relationship with our own bodies.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman
What? An unusual heroine with a troubled past, uncovers the hurt she has been hiding from for her whole life. She is socially inept, but makes a friend at work and through the connections she builds with others – she opens up to the traumas of her past and copes with the emotions in her heart.
Why? It’s honestly awkward to read at first because Eleanor is such an uncomfortable and unusual person, but you quickly fall in love with her and have to see just how her story unfolds.
Educated, Tera Westover
What? Educated is the true story of a girl born to dooms-dayer, government fearing, strictly mormon parents in the mountains of Idaho. She’s never seen a doctor, gone to school, or worn “normal” clothes. She makes her way, on her own, to school – and once she starts learning, she never stops.
Why? I can’t believe this is a true story. I mean I can, but it blows my mind. Beyond the intensity and in some cases – surreal details, she wrestles with how her newfound, educated life disrupts her relationship with her family.
The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt
What? When the main character was 13 years old, he survives a terrorist bombing in an art museum. His Mom dies and he is left with nothing – except the priceless painting he accidentally steals. The novel details the rest of his life, full of hope and fear. He tries to hide the painting and escape its burden, but he still grasps on to it for the memories of his mother.
Why? This novel came out a few years ago, but the movie is coming out this fall, so it’s definitely one to read! It’s long – no doubt a commitment, but absolutely worth it for the endearing characters and complex story.
The Alice Network, Kate Quinn
What? This novel is historical fiction taking place during both WWI and WWII. It’s the intertwining story of two women and their lives as spies during their respective wars and in the aftermath.
Why? Historical fiction about two women spies – need I say more? Also, it’s short!
Becoming, Michelle Obama
What? The ever so popular memoir written by Michelle Obama about her life.
Why? It’s funny, refreshing, critical, empowering. A read for everyone – especially young women trying to figure out wtf to do with life.
They’re best-sellers and perhaps basic, but worth the reads!
With empowerment, Natasha
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