Over the summer, I surprised myself by doing something I haven’t done in a while- I read eleven books in four months! I used to read many novels as a kid, but when I started getting mandatory readings for school assignments, I didn’t have time to read for my own enjoyment. Turns out, I needed to get some reading out of my system this summer. I asked around for book recommendations and got some books on loan from friends, but I mostly found myself lost in the land of BookTok on TikTok. I found myself staying up late at night finding the next book I wanted to read. Out of the eleven books, I want to talk about the four books I enjoyed the most.
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
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Alicia Berenson lives an ordinary life… until she shoots her husband in the face five times and never speaks another word. Her refusal to speak turns into a mystery that Theo Faber, a psychotherapist, is determined to figure out. He works with her at the unit she is kept in and uncovers some wild things about Alicia and also himself.
I could have read this book in one sitting if I didn’t have any responsibilities like work. It’s such a page-turner and has a crazy twist ending. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves psychological thrillers.
- Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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Daisy Jones is one of the most talented and beautiful singers in California during the 60s and 70s. When producers team her up with the up-and-coming band, The Six, the band is tested,
What I really liked about this book was that it was all dialogue as the entirety of the book was in an interview format. This made for an easy read. The storyline is so captivating that it really makes you feel you could be in the 70s. It’s also so real. The struggles that the characters face making you feel for them and also reflect on your own life.
- Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
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Warning: extreme romance novel alert!
“When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her. Never ask about the past. Don’t expect a future. They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all. Hearts get infiltrated. Promises get broken. Rules get shattered. Love gets ugly.” (Goodreads).
If you are looking for a romance novel, you need to read this one. In my opinion, it’s a bit cheesy, but it’s also so addicting. I think I finished it in three sittings. Colleen Hoover definitely has a gift when it comes to romance. I would also recommend her other most famous novel “It Ends With Us.”
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
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“Finding something important and meaningful in your life is the most productive use of your time and energy. This is true because every life has problems associated with it and finding meaning in your life will help you sustain the effort needed to overcome the particular problems you face. Thus, we can say that the key to living a good life is not giving a f*ck about more things, but rather, giving a f*ck only about the things that align with your personal values.” (James Clear).I discovered that before this summer, I had been reading books slowly because they were non-fiction, and there was no storyline to keep me addicted. However, this non-fiction book really surprised me! It was so easy and fun to read and the author has a great voice throughout the book. It also provided so many important lessons that I really needed to hear – and I’m sure so many others do as well. Life is so short, so there’s no point in holding onto the bad things. Definitely read this one!
I could not put down these four books. They will definitely make you fall in love with reading, or fall back in love with reading if school ruined it for you. It’s so important to keep our minds active and away from screens – even if you read a romance novel or two here and there. Happy reading!
Sources
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17788401-ugly-love
https://jamesclear.com/book-summaries/the-subtle-art-of-not-giving-a-fck