Short summaries and takeaways
I’ve always loved reading. Whether short stories or long novels, fiction or autobiographies, I lose track of time when I start to turn the pages.
Over the past summer (yes, I know it’s already mid-October), I had the opportunity to really dive into reading, something that’s not always possible for me during the school year. Some books I re-read, and some were completely new. I enjoyed how they were all interesting and unique in their own ways. Below, I have listed three of my favorite books from the summer, along with my takeaways on each (no spoilers). I recommend these to anyone looking to get more involved in reading this fall.
1. Afterlife by Julia Alvarez
Afterlife was a beautiful narrative about loss, identity and sisterhood. After losing her husband, the narrator, Antonia Vega, struggles to understand who she is without him. She also faces a family crisis, and is asked to help community members in need. Throughout the story, Vega focuses on conserving her own energy, a lesson we can all learn from. I’ve loved Julia Alvarez’s writing ever since reading How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents in high school, and this novel showed me a quieter, more reflective side of her writing.
2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The first time I read The Book Thief, I was in middle school. So, when I saw it by chance at the library, I thought I would give it another go. This novel is unique in that it’s narrated from the perspective of death. It takes place in Germany during World War Two and is about very serious topics, however, I think it presents this information in an impactful way to younger audiences. Additionally, I was impressed by Zusak’s integration of illustrations and political cartoons into the storyline.
3. The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim
This novel was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. It explores the mother-daughter relationship between Margot and her Korean-American immigrant mother Mina. After Mina’s death, Margot reflects on the challenges she faced in communicating with her mother. As she begins to unravel Mina’s past, she gains a better understanding of her mother, and in doing so, newly appreciates their shared identities and reliance on one another. Although slow to get into at first, this was an amazing read.
I hope that this article has inspired you to get into reading this fall. Reading is a great way to learn more about the world, and also to just relax after a long day. I can confidently recommend the above books, although everyone has their own opinions and preferences. Happy reading!