There’s no doubt that summer is every college student’s favorite season. School is out for a solid three months, which means plenty of time to do whatever we want. If you’re like me, you spend plenty of time with friends, laying out at the pool or just sitting around a bonfire. While there are a million things to do over the break, summer just isn’t the same without a good book to read. Even if you’re not a bookworm like me, these fun reads will make laying out, or that day off from your job/internship, that much more enjoyable.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Narrated by 16-year-old cancer patient Hazel, The Fault in Our Stars is a beautiful, charming novel about first love and the strength it takes to try and beat the unbeatable.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Gone Girl follows the mysterious disappearance of Nick Dunne’s wife and the search to find her kidnapper. The No. 1 suspect? Nick Dunne. (This book is soon to be adapted onscreen with a movie starring Ben Affleck!)
It Comes in Waves by Erika Marks. The story of a former surfer who had her heart broken by her fiancé and best friend, It Comes in Waves is the perfect book about regaining control of your past, making amends and finding new love.
Divergent by Veronica Roth. As the movie version of Divergent hits theaters, the book continues to make headlines. Set in a post-apocalyptic Chicago, Divergent tells the story of a teen trying to find her identity and love within a society that has already defined her.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. This novel tells the beautiful and melancholy tale of Liesel Meminger, a Jewish girl living through World War II and the Holocaust. The book takes place in Nazi Germany and follows Leisel’s journey through life, literacy and sorrow.
The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen. Luke and Emaline have been dating all throughout high school, but will their relationship stand the looming threat of college and the new boy in town?
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. Samantha and Jase are from two completely different families. As the two slowly fall in love, they realize that keeping their families out of their relationship will be much harder than they thought.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Theo Decker has just survived an accident that has killed his mother and left him as an orphan. Taken in by a wealthy family, Theo struggles to fit in and longs for his mother. As he clings on to the only thing that he has left of her — an old painting — he is roped into a dangerous and elaborate underworld of art. This story is filled with mystery, love and soul-searching.
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. This novel illustrates the relationship between an urban slave in the nineteenth century and her owner, as they grow up together and ultimately shape each other’s destinies.
Perfect Chemistry by Simon Elkeles. Brought together as lab partners in chemistry class, Alex and Brittany could not resent each other enough. Brittany fears Alex will ruin her spotless reputation, while Alex makes an arrogant bet with his friends to bring Brittany into his life. This story is a passionate and modern twist on the tale of star-crossed lovers — and a must-read.