The Best Books To Read This Summer And Which Ones To Avoid

To preface, these are my personal opinions of these books. If you want to read more reviews and opinions of these books, check out Goodreads.

#1: Must-Read

Where the Crawdads Sing

This book seemed like it was nowhere and then unexpectedly exploded onto everyone’s TBR(to-be-read) list. I loved the setting and slow-revealing of this book. It is a fictional mystery that’s set in a 1969 North Carolina marsh. It follows Kya, the designated “Marsh Girl” of the small town. Throw in a murder mystery and interesting coming-of-age trials and tribulations and this book becomes your next summer obsession. Where to buy: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-the-crawdads-sing-delia-owens/1127681226?ean=9780735219106 

#2: Avoid

The Summer I Turned Pretty

I love Jenny Han (the author), mainly because “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” was such a pivotal book in my early teen years. I was really excited to read this book, especially because Amazon Prime is making it into a new show. While I don’t think this book is necessarily bad per se, it just lacks so much. I was honestly quite bored up until the last 50 pages of the book. It was missing the needed drama or entice that so many other coming-of-age books are able to do so well. Where to buy: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summer-i-turned-pretty-jenny-han/1100329791?ean=9781416968290 

#3: Must-Read

The Inheritance Games

Speaking of enticement, this book had me on the edge of my seat for the entire book. It’s a Knives Out-esque mystery and thriller that focuses on our titular character, Avery Grambs, who is thrust into the life of a luxurious billionaire who leaves her his entire fortune, unbeknownst to his family. This book is pure addiction, so beware. Where to buy: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-inheritance-games-jennifer-lynn-barnes/1136584326?ean=9780759555402 

#4: Avoid

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

This book was not bad; in fact, it had some of the most beautiful writing I’ve ever read. My main issue with this book is that it takes forever to get to the point. It could spend three pages talking about grass and then another three pages talking about a bench. It was genuinely hard to get through the book at certain points, and I absolutely hated the flashbacks. Once you push through all the noise, the book is quite beautiful. It follows a woman named Addie LaRue who strikes a deal with the devil to live forever, but in return, is cursed with being forgotten by anyone she meets. Where to buy: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-invisible-life-of-addie-larue-v-e-schwab/1135712463?ean=9780765387561 

#5: Must-Read

The Percy Jackson Series

I believe that these books, while aimed at a younger demographic, can be read by any age demographic. They are amazing action-packed adventure books that are an escapist’s dream. They are light-hearted and fun, and will keep you invested in the story and characters. Additionally, Disney+ is creating a live-action television show for the Percy Jackson books, so now is the time to catch up on this series. Where to buy: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lightning-thief-rick-riordan/1100190320?ean=9780786838653 

#6: Avoid

Unhoneymooners

I went into this book with very high expectations, mainly because it had been receiving a lot of positive buzz on Tiktok. I was very disappointed once I actually read the book mainly because of the main conflict towards the end (which is a spoiler I’ll leave out in case you do decide to read). The book does have some redeeming qualities and the main couple, Olive and Ethan, are your typical cute rom-com couple. I honestly think that if it weren’t for the last part of this book, I would have a higher rating of it but unfortunately that is not the case. Where to buy: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unhoneymooners-christina-lauren/1129709354?ean=9781501128035 

#7: Must-Read

It Ends With Us

One of my favorite authors is Colleen Hoover, so I may be a little biased, but honestly this book was amazing–one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. It follows Lily, a 23-year old graduate, who is navigating her love life and family dynamic in Boston. If you want a book that will make you genuinely feel sad, happy, hatred, glee, etc. I would 100% recommend this book. I think my biggest praise of this book is the fact that after reading it, I felt as though these fictional characters were real people. Where to buy: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/it-ends-with-us-colleen-hoover/1122858647?ean=9781501110368