As we near the end of the summer break it can often be a boring time. Everything that you can think of has been completed and all you want to do is get to university. To help you get through the last few weeks of summer here are our Her Campus top ten book recommendations, happy reading!
10. Looking for Alaska – John Green
Looking for Alaska, which was released in 2005, was one of Green’s first books. It tells the story of charismatic Miles Halter and his pursuit of the “Great Perhaps” at his new boarding school, Culver Creek. What Miles didn’t expect to find, however was clever, sexy, funny and brilliantly broken Alaska Young. Will Alaska help Miles find his “Great Perhaps”? This book is brilliantly written and had us gripped from start to finish!
9. Vernon God Little – DBC Pierre
This book was named as one of the 100 Best Things in the World by GQ magazine in 2003 and we have to agree. Vernon Gods Little’s world is turned upside down after 16 students at his school are murdered by one of his friends. Vernon finds himself at the centre of a media frenzy as more and more of the town’s people turn against him, blaming him for the attack rather than the real culprit. The lovable and quirky Vernon takes you on an emotionally raw and dazing journey as he tries everything to not become people’s scapegoat for the crime. Pierre’s debut novel engages with the reader on an emotional, comedic and intellectual level that stuns you till the very end.
8. Voices – Sue Mayfield
Isabel Bright is your average teenage girl with school deadlines and parents battier than the Adams family constantly troubling her. Not to mention she just found out that her arrogant ex-boyfriend is now staring opposite her in the school play. So on a family vacation in Scotland, Isabel decides to take a chance on fate and puts her name and address into a glass bottle before hurling out to sea. Just as things go from bad to worse for our Isabel she receives a letter from the cool and funny Duncan who found her message. Could this be fates attempt at a helping hand or is it just another thing to add to her list of despair? With witty writing, humours characters and a light hearted plot that you can’t put down, Voices is a must read!
7. The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
With the film released this year we thought it was time to re-visit Markus Zusak’s masterpiece. The Book Thief is a beautifully poignant novel that follows Liesel, a nine year old girl who finds solace in the written word. Book by book Liesel escapes the threats of the Second World War as we are also introduced to an accordionist, a Jewish fist fighter and quite a lot of thievery. Just from reading the blurb of this book you are instantly hooked by its frankness as it informs you that this book “IS NARRATED BY DEATH!” and that he will visit the book thief “THREE TIMES.” With a unique style that keeps you guessing till the end we couldn’t recommend this book enough.
6. Perks of Being a Wallflower – Stephen Chbosky
A heartwarming, coming-of-age story about acceptance and truth through the eyes of the unpopular Charlie. We see him grow as an adult as he tries to navigate his way through first dates, friend trouble and high school. Chbosky has achieved a rare talent within the literary world as the reader seemly forgets the world around them and connects on a personal level with Charlie. Poignantly wild and a rollercoaster of emotions, we couldn’t ask for more from this first rate novel.
5. A Place Called Here – Cecelia Ahern
The fourth novel from the Irish born author and we have to say one of her best! Sandy has an unhealthy obsession with disappearances, whether its people or objects she wants to know where and why? After her childhood friend disappeared over twenty years ago Sandy became hooked, even becoming a private investigator was at the top of her list. So when she finds herself in a sort of limbo with many missing people from across the years she finds herself asking if she has found the answer to that question she has been yearning for. Thrilling and gripping you will find yourself up until the early hours reading thing heart pumping novel.
4. Marley and Me – John Grogan
This autobiographical book follows couple Jenny and John as their cute, ball of fluff, Labrador puppy turns into a ninety seven pound stress machine. Marley tests the bounds of acceptance and unconditional love as the couple struggle with the trials with cute pet throws at them. A heart-warming, tear jerker which we love to read over and over again.
3. A Clockwork Orange – Anthony Burgess
We found our self’s reading this book with the lights on as it is purely the stuff nightmares are made up. Fifteen-year-old Alex isn’t your average teenager, he lives for violence, drugs and illegal acts. His whole life revolves around the subject of ultra-violence but his world is about to come crashing down. The state have decided they won’t stand for his vulgar ways anymore and are hell bent on changing him with their mind altering, Ludovico Technique. A clockwork orange had us biting our nails even after we finished, a must read!
2. Sold – Zana Muhsen
Zana Muhsen’s autobiographical book opens the reader’s eyes to the real threat of arranged marriage. When Zana and her sister found out they were going on holiday to see family in North Yemen they were excited. However when they arrived in the country they were horrified to find out their father had sold them into arranged marriages. Sold opens the reader’s eyes to horrific world of betrayal and abuse caused by her father.
1. Night Road – Kristin Hannah
Lexi and Mia became best friends when they met on the first day of high school. Both different but inseparable. The summer after graduation will test their loyalty as they try to navigate their way through love, friendship and broken hearts. An emotional book which connects with the reader on a personal level, it just had to be on our list.
Did we miss any of your books or do you have any suggestions? Tweet us @HerCampusCCCU.