Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
Book Shelf
Book Shelf
Photo by Ugur Akdemir from Unsplash
MSU | Culture > Entertainment

My Top 5 Books I Read This Summer

Updated Published
Victoria Yahn Student Contributor, Michigan State University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at MSU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

This summer, I decided to knock off a few (or really, several) books from my to-be-read list. My days were spent lounging on my living room couch or sprawled across my bed with a book in my hands. I would not trade it for anything, as I truly love reading. I dove into all different kinds of genres and authors, some of which I had previously read, and some of which were completely new. Finding a book to read can be difficult, so I compiled my top five books I read this summer to hopefully inspire some future reading. 

  1. Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson

For any fans of fantasy, Brandon Sanderson is my number one recommendation. His newly released book, Wind and Truth, easily takes the number one spot on this list. While the novels are lengthy, every page is worth reading. Wind and Truth is the thrilling conclusion to a five-part series. The story explores themes of death, depression, friendship, and honor, among several others. 

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys high fantasy novels or to anyone who enjoys deep, complex characters with strong character arcs. Despite the length, I was hooked the entire book and could barely put it down. This epic conclusion was masterfully crafted to tie the series together. For anyone who has read the first four novels, I recommend picking up this book next. And for anyone who has not started the series: what are you waiting for?

  1. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

My next recommendation is a science fantasy novel with a bit of a gothic vibe. The novel centers around a deadly trial, something I always enjoy in books. Another plus is the LGBTQ+ representation in both main characters. In branching out to different genres, I wanted to try more LGBTQ+ fiction. While it is a small part of the novel, I still enjoyed the role it played in shaping both characters. 

For anyone looking for a book with humor, LGBTQ+ representation, and a gothic setting, this is the perfect novel. I enjoyed exploring new genres and settings, and even continued reading the rest of the series. While Gideon the Ninth can be a little confusing at times, the story is worth the puzzlement. I found myself growing attached to the characters, something I do not do often in other books. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a fun but intricate read.

  1. Bloom Town: Genesis by Ally North

In diving deeper into the LGBTQ+ genre, I discovered Bloom Town: Genesis. The historical novel follows the main character after she has been kidnapped and deals with her journey as she grows closer to her captor. This was one of the first novels I had read with main characters who identify as lesbian. I enjoyed reading a story that was more representative and did not follow a stereotypical straight relationship. Additionally, I absolutely adored the desert setting and the found family trope.  

I would recommend the novel to anyone who enjoys diverse representation. Additionally, Bloom Town: Genesis deals with themes of religion, identity, and family. While it is labeled as a romance, the book deals with topics in a complex way. This book introduced several new things to me, such as the setting, tropes, and themes. However, all of this combined made for a more enjoyable reading experience, as it was a wholly unique book for me. Therefore, I would recommend it to anyone wanting to try something new or to anyone who already enjoys historical or LGBTQ+ novels. 

  1. The Will of the Many by James Islington

Continuing my theme of fantasy books, I explored the world The Will of the Many is set. The world centers around people’s “Will,” essentially their life force, which is given to people of a higher status. The Will of the Many is a unique book that focuses on the journey of a boy with a secret as he navigates through a year at a rigid academy. 

This book is great for anyone who enjoyed Red Rising by Pierce Brown. I loved the creativity and originality Islington tied in to what could be considered a simple setting. Despite having read several fantasy books this summer, The Will of the Many easily became one of my favorites. Any reader who enjoys an intelligent, witty main character or a thought-provoking novel should consider picking this up as their next read. 

  1. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab 

Yes, this is another LGBTQ+ novel. Written through three women’s perspectives across multiple centuries, this novel left me never wanting to put it down. I enjoyed the several different settings of the novel and how the story was told. Besides Twilight, this book is the only other book I have read that centers around vampires. I enjoyed the richness it brought to the story and how much it added to the characters’ stories.

For anyone who enjoys V.E. Schwab’s other books, like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue or Vicious, I would strongly recommend this book. Schwab truly has a unique and compelling writing style that keeps pulling me in. Additionally, anyone looking for a fast-paced book may consider picking this one up, as I found it easy to digest and understand. I would recommend adding Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil to any TBR list for anyone interested in a more unusual story. 

Despite reading more than 20 books this summer, these were my favorite ones. Each one left me on the edge of my seat, and I often stayed up late into the night lost within their pages. If I could read any of these books again for the first time, I would. Hopefully, this list inspired you to pick up one of these books and begin immersing yourself in a world of fiction.

Victoria Yahn

MSU '28

Victoria Yahn is so excited to be apart of Her Campus! She enjoys writing about books and movies. Additionally, she is part of the editing team for her chapter.
She is a sophomore majoring in communication and journalism at Michigan State University. She helped start and run a Literary Magazine at her high school that published all different works from the student body.
She was born in New Jersey but moved to Georgia when she was in first grade. She has an identical twin sister and two older brothers. Additionally, she also has two Pomeranians. Her hobbies include reading, running and watching movies. She loves all things animals, so she has done a lot of fostering of both cats and dogs. She also volunteers at a local shelter in her hometown in Georgia. Some of her favorite books and movies include "Call Me By Your Name" and "The Perks of Being a Wallflower". She hopes to one day go into the book industry and become a publisher or editor.