As a busy, full-time college student, I rarely have time to read for pleasure. But this summer, I reconnected with reading after an extended slump, and I am delighted to be back. I’ve had so much time for reading that, for once, my TBR doesn’t feel so daunting.
My summer as an IRL Princess Belle (minus the imprisonment) has done wonders for decreasing my screen time, and I’m trying my best to keep it up by reading a wide range of genres. I’ve ranked everything I read this summer from ‘not worth the trees’ all the way to ‘I will talk about this book forever’:
- ‘Six of Crows’ by Leigh Bardugo
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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is a “found family” story following six strangers who meet and form an unlikely team to pull off an impossible, absurd heist.
I was sadly disappointed by this book. I’ve wanted to read Six of Crows for so long, having heard so much about the famous duology, but hadn’t until now. So many fans say it’s the gold standard for found family books, but I found it underwhelming.
It lacked depth, as many parts were explained rather than shown. It felt like I was being called stupid every other chapter. The so-called family and their relationships have so much potential, but the way we learn about them is inorganic. This resulted in the story feeling unsatisfying, with the relationships being equally inadequate.
My rating: 2/5 stars
@Iamaicreative on Instagram - ‘So Late in the Day’ by Claire Keegan
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So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan follows Cathal as he contemplates how different his life would be if he had married his ex-fiancée, Sabine. As the story progresses, the reader learns how Cathal’s misogyny and rigidness drove Sabine away.
While this was a well-written, quick read, that was it for me. It was interesting to read misogyny from Cathal’s unknowingly sexist perspective, but it was just okay. I enjoyed it without becoming particularly invested.
My rating: 3/5 stars
- ‘The Minority Report’ by Philip K. Dick
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The Minority Report is a short science fiction novel about a society where law enforcement predicts and stops crime before it happens.
I enjoyed the fast pace, but it leaves little time to get attached to the characters or care about what’s happening. This book is the equivalent of a movie I’d throw on in the background. The premise is good, but disappointingly, the execution is quite average.
My rating: 3/5 stars
- ‘Fahrenheit 451’ by Ray Bradbury
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Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is set in a dystopian United States where firemen burn books instead of extinguishing fires. This book follows fireman Guy Montag, who meets an eccentric young woman who leads him to become a free thinker, questioning everything he has ever known.
I picked up this book a few times but hadn’t finished it until I finally locked myself in a room. While I didn’t love this book as much as I hoped, I’m glad I read it. The story is compelling, but the plot moves slowly despite the book’s short length, making it unengaging at times.
My rating: 3/5 stars
@ravslibrary_ on Instagram - ‘Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It’ by Brooke Averick
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In Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick, Berman is a 29-year-old who decides she will lose her virginity before her 30th birthday.
This book is such a fun, silly read. I felt like a little girl kicking my feet the whole book. The beginning is incredibly strong, and is where this book shines for me. However, as the story progressed, it lost some momentum, especially when it became evident who the love interest really was. Still, this book is funny and has a lot of charm.
My rating: 3.75/5 stars
- ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood
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The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is set in a totalitarian nightmare where a severe fertility crisis forces fertile women into being trained as Handmaids, who are obligated to serve and bear children for the elite.
The writing is very captivating, particularly the latter half. I am not a fan of the ending; however, I understand and respect Atwood’s choice. It was still disappointing because I hate ambiguous endings. Nevertheless, this is a really engaging and thought-provoking story, and I am so glad I finally finished it.
My rating: 4/5 stars
- ‘Yesteryear’ by Caro Claire Burke
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In Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, a “tradwife” influencer suddenly wakes up and is forced to live out a radical traditional lifestyle in the 1800s.
This book was not what I expected. Based on the book’s descriptions and what I read online, I envisioned something completely different, but I was pleasantly surprised. Yesteryear is a longer book, with 400 pages, but it goes by fast. The pacing was great until the very end, when I felt it changed sharply. This is an easy recommendation and perfect for a book club read. I had many interesting, relevant conversations because of this book.
My rating: 4/5 stars
@dream.in.pages on Instagram - ‘Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting’ by Clare Pooley
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Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley is another amazing found family book about the rules of commuting, which Iona Iverson ironically breaks, leading to a group of people whose lives become intertwined.
While reading this, I thought a lot about the idea of sonder. Sonder describes the realization that every stranger is living a life as vivid and complex as yours. This book had me people-watching for days after. I sometimes forget we each live lives independent of others, and that reminder always feels like an epiphany for me.
Anyhow, I really enjoyed this. The beginning is definitely stronger than the end, but the character interactions and their friendships make it worth the read. If you love the “found family” trope like me, then this book is definitely for you.
My rating: 4.25/5 stars
@paperboundjess on Instagram - ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’ by Rick Riordan
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Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan tells the story of a troubled teenager whose life changes drastically after he learns he is the prime suspect in the theft of the lightning bolt.
To prepare for my trip to Greece, I decided to read it, and I loved it. This book is perfect for young readers as it’s very easy to digest and such a fun story. This is the kind of book that makes you say “one more chapter,” ten chapters ago.
My rating: 5/5 stars
- ‘Atmosphere’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a dual-timeline historical fiction. It tells the story of Joan Goodwin, her experience as one of the first women astronauts, and the people she meets.
This book exceeded my expectations. I finished it in a day because I genuinely couldn’t put it down. It is clear Reid put an immense amount of research, effort, and love into this story. Each character feels so thoughtfully crafted and layered.
I also loved the dual timelines here. It never felt confusing or unnecessary, and it really elevated the reading experience. Getting to know and love the characters while knowing their future was so powerful and heartbreaking. This is a beautifully written story with incredibly nuanced and compelling characters.
My rating: 5/5 stars
@laurenreadswhat on Instagram
And that wraps up my summer reads! In a time when so few people are reading for pleasure, it’s vital to remember how much joy, escapism, and knowledge it provides. Although not every book was a hit, what matters is that I was reading. Don’t wait until summer if you can! Go and pick up a book right now; you’ll thank yourself for it!