As a total nerd (and proud), I plan on taking books with me to the pool, the beach, and all of my vacations this summer. Even though my grandparents will tell me to “socialize,” and my best friend will probably tell me to put the book down or she’ll throw it into the ocean, I will persevere!
So, if this is the year you plan to spend break catching up on books you missed while studying for exams, you’ve come to the right place. Reading is a journey that can take you farther away than any airplane or car this summer, and I’m inviting you to join me.
The first story on my list is The Here and Now, by Ann Brashares. After reading the Divergent series, I launched into all things dystopian. Any summary that starts with “It is the year…” and moves into a date that is further from right now than even my great grandchildren will see, I’m hooked. I haven’t actually read this book yet, but we can read it together.
In this genre, I would also recommend The Fifth Wave, by Rick Yancy. I plan to read the second book in the series of three, The Infinite Sea, this summer. Everybody loves a good alien invasion!
Next is The Crown, by Kiera Cass, but before you get too excited (because I’m sure all this ‘book talk’ has you on the edge of your seat), I would advise you to read the first four books in The Selection series. It’s really not a stand-alone type of book, especially when you reach the fifth one. Pro-tip - be prepared for cliffhangers.
Speaking of cliffhangers, any of the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan will leave you hanging. That’s a very poor pun unless you’ve read them, more specifically the seventh one. By the way, there’s 10. You’re going to need to be really dedicated.
Another book I plan to read this summer is “Before I Fall” by Lauren Oliver. Trapped in a “Groundhog Day” situation, a girl has to relive the last day of her life the way she should have to prevent her death. This movie comes out sometime this year.
While we’re on the unfortunate subject of dying, If I Stay gives me chills just watching the trailer, and has me in tears during the book. The book portrays the life of a girl on the outside of her body looking in, after a devastating car crash leaves her in a coma.
The last book on my summer reading schedule is Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury. I’ve heard only good things about this science fiction classic, but if I’m being honest, the only reason I’m reading it is because it’s my English assignment for this summer. Here’s to it being worth it!
Alexandra Haggerty is a Walsingham Academy student who loves writing, Williamsburg and cross country.