If you’re anything like me, the swamp of homework the semester brings makes it difficult to find the time—or the motivation—to read for fun. But the end of the semester is almost here and so is summer (yay!), so here are ten books you should check out in your free time!
- Watership Down by Richard Adams
“…a remarkable tale of exile and survival, of heroism and leadership…the epic novel of a group of adventurers who desert their doomed city, and venture forth against all odds on a quest for a new home, a sturdier future.”
Watership Down is a well-written novel that follows Fiver, a rabbit, and his group of companions as they search for a new home. I know it sounds childish (since that’s usually the point of anthropomorphism) but I promise this book is worth giving a chance. Adams constructs an intricate society for the rabbits in his novel which completely diverges from human culture, and explores themes like ‘authoritarianism vs. democracy,’ ‘violence and power,’ and ‘the epic journey.’
2. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
“Here is a book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right.”
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a beautiful memoir that follows Maya Angelou’s childhood, with its joys and struggles. It deals with tough topics, like racism, sexual abuse, and teenage pregnancy, with the eloquence Angelou is known for. In this book, she manages to take pure, raw emotions and experiences and masterfully translate them into words.
3. Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals
“…this essential autobiographical account…explores not only the oppressive force of racism, but the ability of young people to change ideas of race and identity.”
Warriors Don’t Cry tells the story of the integration of Little Rock Central High School from the perspective of one of the Little Rock nine, Melba Pattillo Beals. This intense memoir recounts the incredible bravery shown in the battle to integrate Little Rock, and the terrible bigotry and cruelty that rose up against it.
4. The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
“This modern classic takes on an iron-fisted drug lord, clones bred for their organs, and what it means to be human.”
The House of the Scorpion is a dark, intriguing science fiction novel that follow Matt as he explores the deep secrets surrounding the house of the scorpion, and ultimately, his place within it. One of my favorite aspects of the book are the references to Spanish words and phrases, which are a nice bonus if you’re familiar with the language (and if you aren’t, you can still understand the book without it).
5. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
“John Green…shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.”
Turtles All the Way Down is one of those wonderful novels where it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it’s “all about” in just a sentence. So here are a few sentences to sum it up: It’s a story of adventure. It’s a tale of love. It’s a glimpse into the life of a girl, Aza, living with severe OCD and anxiety. It’s incredibly bittersweet and bears the distinction of being my favorite book.
6. The Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson
“Misconceptions, misunderstandings, and flawed facts finally get the heave-ho in this humorous, downright humiliating book of reeducation.”
The Book of General Ignorance is a bit different from all the other books on this list. This hilarious book clears up myths and misconceptions in all sorts of topics and indulges random, whimsical musings (after all, what rhymes with ‘orange,’ anyway?).
7. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
“Peril abounds, but so does friendship, truth, laughter, and courage.”
The Mysterious Benedict Society is an enchanting tale of four gifted children who are on a dangerous mission to preserve life as they know it. If you’ve started watching the new Disney+ show without reading the book first, shame on you! The show doesn’t even begin to embody the quaint charm of the characters or the twisting suspense of the book (or should I say books—there are four in total). Even though it’s technically a children’s book, I definitely recommend checking The Mysterious Benedict Society out.
If you find time for leisure reading this summer, don’t forget to give these books a chance!