Summer Readin’ (Classics Edition)

Want to challenge yourself a bit this summer? While school is off and work loads are perhaps a bit lighter, do you want to read something a little more thought provoking than what you’d pick up when your brain is overworked? Not to say that more relaxing reads are bad for summer, but Classics are a perfect genre to go to for a mentally-stimulating but still emotionally engaging work! Here are some of my favorite Classics:

• Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald: From the author of The Great Gatsby, this book exudes a similar tone to the beloved classic, but its characters are more complex and the story takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster that pulls one’s heartstrings in multiple directions.
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: This is a story of the French Revolution and the movements of the characters between London and Paris. The story holds twists and turns, (admitedly a bit of a dull middle, but pushing through is totally worth it), and a beautiful love story.
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: You probably read this book in high school at some point, but it’s one definitely worth a re-read. The story is simultaneously relevant and nostalgic.
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: This book is a mixture of a ghost story, a love story, and class commentary. It is the beautifully-written story of Jane’s journey juggling class and gender statuses while falling in love in a mysterious setting.

Bonus: Here are some books on my summer reading list that I’m looking forward to picking up!

• North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
• Far from the Maddening Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Comment your favorite classics and ones you’re looking forward to reading!

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Summer Readin’ (YA Edition)

Reading during the summer feels more special than any other time. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that you don’t have to read for any reason other than simply because you want to, It’s nice to be able to pick up something you’ve been eyeing for a while and be able to relax and enjoy, whether it’s something light or something that keeps you on the edge of your seat, or both. Sitting in the sun with a good book and some cold brew coffee is my favorite way to spend the summer, so here is a list of some of my favorite YA books that are great for a summer read.

• The Love that Split the World by Emily Henry: This imaginative book full of magical realism and rifts in time is beautiful in so many ways; the descriptions are phenomenal, but it’s the characters you’ll really fall in love with.
• Four, Three, Two, One by Courtney Stevens: This book is a heart-wrenching story of recovering from trauma and finding the beauty and importance of friendship. A bit of a heavier read, but oh so worth it.
• Mosquitoland by David Arnold: A surprising and complex road trip story that will always have a special place in my heart. Coming-of-age meets dark humor on this wild bus trip.
• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo: This fantastical book, the first of a magnificent trilogy, has some of the best world-building I’ve ever read as well as brilliant, snappy dialogue and a twisting plot that will keep you on your toes.
• Welcome to Nightvale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor: If you like weird books, this one is for you. It takes place in the town of Nightvale, the very same from the podcast if you’ve heard of it. It is spectacularly nonsensical in a way that makes perfect sense. Embrace the weird.
• Wildwood by Colin Meloy: This may be considered more of a middle-grade novel than young adult, but hey, it’s a good, fun book about a girl finding her brother who was kidnapped by a murder of crows. What’s better than that? (Plus it’s written by the lead singer of the Decemberists and the illustrations are amazing).

Stay tuned this summer for some more reading recommendations and the usual writing tips and commentary.

And I can always use more book suggestions. Comment some of your favorite summer reads below!

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