I know many adolescents strongly dislike reading, especially if it’s a part of a requirement for school. However, reading doesn’t have to be as daunting as it seems. Many people find it to be a relaxing escape and a top hobby for their spare time. The best time to get into reading is during the summer, where you have unlimited free time and no obligations. With this being said, I’m going to give a list of the top five best books to read this summer. This goes for everyone whether you’re just getting into reading as a hobby, or you’re already an active reader needing something to add to your list of what to read next.
- Powerless by Lauren Roberts – Book 1 of the Powerless Trilogy (Genre: Young Adult, Romantic Fantasy)
This book follows a young girl named Paedyn Gray who is living in a kingdom called Ilya where it is no good to be ordinary. She is surrounded by people who are born with powers and status, they are known as elites. To survive she is one of them, but in reality she is ordinary. One day she crosses paths with an elite prince, Kai Azer. After she saves the prince by chance, she is put into deadly trials that showcase the top abilities within the elite circle. However, Paedyn does not have an ability and is forced to survive with her pretendance of being a psychic. This story follows themes of strength, social inequality, survival through resilience, and forbidden love.
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson – Book 1 of the Good Girls Guide to Murder Trilogy (Young Adult, Mystery Thriller)
In this gripping thriller we follow a 17 year old named Pippa Fitz Amobi. She is investigating a case from five years prior that took place in her hometown called Fairview. Five years ago popular highschool student Andie Bell went missing and police concluded that she was murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh, who also died after being convicted. Pippa is investigating this case for her senior project, and her objective is to prove that Sal was wrongly accused. She teams up with Sal’s younger brother Ravi Singh to go through old records, and interview close friends or witnesses. However, as she gets sucked in further to this case it becomes a dangerous obsession while uncovering secrets that were meant to always stay hidden. She later realizes that the killer is still out there warning Pip and doing everything to stop her from uncovering the truth,
- Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh – Book 1 of the Boys of Tommen Series (New Adult/Young Adult, Contemporary Romance)
In the first book of the “Boys of Tommen” series book Shannon Lynch transfers to Tommen College hoping to leave behind all the past torment and bullying she was put through. She tries to fly under the radar to avoid any conflict, but she steps into the spotlight of the school’s most popular athlete, Johnny Kavanagh. For as long as he can remember, Johnny’s whole life has been rugby, he is the center for Tommens rugby team and has the brightest future of success ahead of him. However, he is hiding behind the pain of a career ending injury that could destroy any further possibility of his athletic career. Shannon is also keeping a harmful secret from everyone around her that concerns her home life, as she’s frightened of the consequences. As they grow closer their different worlds start to become one. They both provide each other with a safe space from their troubles that bind them together.
- Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Historical Fiction, Music Fiction, and Romance)
This novel follows the story from start to finish of the rise and fall of one of the most popular rock bands during the 60s and 70s from their perspectives in an interview decades later. The origin of the band starts in Pennsylvania as the “Six” featuring brothers Billy and Graham, along with Karen, Warren, and Eddie. The book then goes on as the band heads to Los Angeles, where they meet Daisy Jones. The story features a complicated and clashing relationship between Daisy and Billy both artistically and romantically. It also shows personal struggles within each of the members of the band and how it eventually leads to the end of the road after their roaring success.
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han – Book 1 of The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy (Young Adult, Romance, Coming of Age)
This story follows 15 year old Isabel “belly” Conklin as she spends yet another summer after another at the infamous beach house in Cousins. Belly looks forward to going to Cousins every year with her mom, brother, her moms best friend Susannah, and her two sons Conrad and Jeremiah. Every year she had felt like an afterthought or an annoying little sister to the boys, but this summer felt different for her. She was turning 16 and she underwent a change in not only her physical appearance but her emotional intelligence. She has always had an unreciprocated crush on the older Fisher brother Conrad, but it now seems that she has the attention of both brothers.
Happy reading, and I hope in the near future everyone can consider reading a comforting hobby rather than a daunting task or chore.
