Must-Read Books This Summer

This article was written by our Everly Mag Intern, Londyn.

Whenever the summer season comes around I always tell myself that I’m going to set some time out to read. This doesn’t always happen as I get distracted, but when I actually do take the time out I fall in love with reading again. If you’re like me, you may love reading while traveling or hanging out on the beach. Here are 5 books that I have either read or want to read this summer:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This is a book, which has been translated into over 80 different languages and is a worldwide bestseller. There’s a reason for that, it is a simple yet universal story about following your dreams. The story follows a poor sheep herder who sells his flock in order to go across the Arabian desert in search of treasure near the Egyptian pyramids. This man’s quest is an example of why we have to take risks sometimes in order to find success and happiness. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can teach you a lot about yourself and can also lead to positive results. You’ll never know if you don’t try, and that’s the message of this novel.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

This book was the winner of the 2017 National Book Award for young adult literature. It follows a high school girl who finds herself drawn to activism after she witnesses the police shooting of her friend. The author initially wrote the book as a short story, which is now a best-selling novel. The book was also adapted into a movie, which will be released later this year. This summer may be a great time to sit down and read a novel, which explores themes of race and activism written specifically for young adults.

Simon vs. The Homo-Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

This novel follows Simon, a closeted gay teen, who may be forced to reveal his sexual orientation after his love interest is at risk of being exposed. Themes of self-acceptance, bullying, and romance make this book very relatable for all kinds of people. After finishing the book, you’ll feel hopeful as it is an authentic and heartwarming story. It also was adapted into a movie, which debuted earlier this year.

We Were Liars by Emily Jenkins

If you are someone who likes a little suspense and mystery than this is the book for you. It’s the perfect summer beach read as the novel takes place on an island with a seemingly perfect family. You’ll soon find that this perfection is all an act, and there is more to their story. We Were Liars is also not too long of a book, so you could possibly even read it during a weekend-long vacation or during a break from your summer commitments.

Americanah by Chimamanda Adichie

This book is a personal favorite of mine. I recently read it for a class during the spring and found it hard to put down. Chimamanda Adichie is a famous Nigerian author, most well known for her book, “We Should All Be Feminists”, and for also being featured in a Beyonce song, which is super casual. Her writing style is effortless, and you’ll fall in love with her main character as she shares her observations as an African living in America. Although the book is fairly long, you’ll most likely finish the book in no time. Romance also plays a role in the novel, but it does not define the main character which is quite refreshing.
Here are some books that I think would be great summer reads.

What books are you reading this summer? Comment Below!

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