The semester is almost over, and we can almost taste the freedom of summer and the feeling of opening a book that’s not a mandatory class reading. However, as you begin browsing through potential books, you might feel overwhelmed. There are so many choices, and all of them seem enticing. Or perhaps, it might be hard to find something that catches your eye. Regardless of whether you have too many choices or too few, this list of summer book recommendations should get you out of a slump.
First, the romance section, because there is nothing better than a sweet love story to enjoy while sipping on a cold drink. First up is “The Summer of Broken Rules,” which follows Meredith Fox as she navigates the memories of her dead sister, her family, her cousin’s wedding and a very cute groomsman, all while trying not to lose in the family Assassin game. A great read for those who like a more young adult (YA) style of writing.
Next up is a cozy small-town novel, “Midnight at the Blackbird Café,” which centers on Anna Kate as she returns to the town where her grandmother lived and died, and where a long-held secret comes to light. This book is perfect for fans of Southern charm, good cooking, multiple great characters, second chances and the whispers of love.
And for those who prefer their romance front and center, “The Rom-Commers” might just be your thing. Emma Wheeler, an aspiring screenwriter, is paired up to work together with Charlie Yates, her writing idol, on a rom-com script. However, Charlie Yates is not who Emma imagined him to be, since he does not even believe in love. With the banter, forced proximity and grumpy-sunshine trope BookTok knows and loves, it’s an ideal read for those who like their romance nice and sweet, maybe even a little cheesy.
If romance really isn’t your thing, like at all, there is always murder. Starting strong with “We Were Liars,” a YA suspense novel that is full of twists and turns, which follows Cadence Sinclair as she tries to recover memories of a mysterious accident on her family’s private island, Beechwood, in the summer of 2015. Now, if you prefer a cozy mystery, “Three Bags Full” follows a flock of sheep as they try to solve the murder of their shepherd. Their exploits will have you laughing, crying and guessing till the very end. The perfect mystery to enjoy on a lovely sunny day. And for those seeking a psychological thrill, “One of the Girls” delivers plenty of tension, deceit and murder. With the Greek islands as the backdrop, the story follows six women on a bachelorette trip, but not all of them will come back alive.
Now perhaps you are more of a nonfiction person. For your enjoyment, I present “Light Eaters,” an informative and intriguing book on the secret life of plants and how they are far from what they may seem to be at first glance. Read it and see if you will still look at plants the same way. For those who enjoy history, “Revolutionary Summer” offers an interesting view of the summer months of 1776, offering a glimpse of how the U.S. began nearly 150 years ago. Then there are memoirs, and if you haven't read it yet, “I'm Glad My Mom Died” is a moving memoir by actress Jennette McCurdy, who writes about her struggles as a child actor and the challenges she overcame.
And no list would be complete without including some classics to enjoy over the summer. First up is “Anne of Green Gables,” a fun story that is worth re-reading as an adult, that follows an orphaned Anne who is growing up with her new foster Aunt and Uncle on Prince Edward Island, and all the antics she experiences as she comes of age. A close second is “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” also a classic worth reading, or rereading. The story follows Huckleberry Finn as he escapes his abusive father and joins an escaped enslaved man named Jim on a journey to freedom on a raft down the Mississippi River. A lesser-known title, “The Summer Book,” is a quick read that follows a grandmother and granddaughter as they spend the summer together, adjusting to each other and sacrificing their own self-interests so they may learn what it means to truly love. Another suggestion is “100 Years of Solitude,” a complex and yet meaningful novel that follows the Buendia family through their ups and downs over 100 years. You will read about the founding of the Macondo, the villagers’ ups and downs, the tense family relationships, hereditary faults and the reminder that family affects more of your life than you might think.
A few of my personal favorites to enjoy include “What You Are Looking For Is in the Library,” a novel about how one small book recommendation from a librarian provides various people with the push they needed to change their lives. “Before the Coffee Gets Cold,” a novel that follows strangers as they enter a cafe for a chance to go back to the past until the coffee gets cold, and the readers learn alongside the characters that it is often the small joys of life that can truly have an impact. “Through the Fire” is the first book in the Mystery and the Minister’s Wife book series. The first novel is about a pastor’s wife who works to solve the mystery of who set the parsonage on fire in a small town. A book with that cozy small town feel, relatable characters, suspense and redemption.
Hopefully, this list has given you a place to start with your summer reading goals, and perhaps you will even find a new favorite book. But this is far from the limit; there are so many wonderful books out there, this list just scratches the surface. So pick a book, snuggle up, and enjoy.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.