Happy first day of summer, fellow reader! If you, like me, love seasonal reading, it's time to get out your summer books today! While it may differ from person to person what makes a book a summer book, I feel that summer is a time for fun, relaxation, adventure, connecting to nature, love, warmth, family, and self-growth. Because of this, I tend to gravitate towards books with these themes. And so, today, I will share my summer book recommendations. Once you're done reading, please share one or two of your own in the comments and one off my list that you want to read (if there's any).
[I also want to announce that the winner of my seasonal giveaway has been announced over on the Instagram page for All Things Literary! Stay tuned for announcements for the next free giveaway that will take place on the first day of Autumn (September 22nd)! Congrats to the winner and good luck to everyone next time!]
"Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens
My top summer recommendation this year is the book "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens. The first time I read this was, funnily enough, in the summertime. However, that is not the only reason this is on my list. Set in the marshlands of North Carolina, "Where the Crawdads Sing" has all the summer vibes. The story's setting in and of itself feels much like summer to me as it takes place in the marsh and in a little town called Barkley Cove. The actions of the characters, mainly the actions of the protagonist Kaya, involve scavenging for muscles on the beach, studying and collecting the surrounding wildlife, fishing, and exploring the marsh.
As to the themes, this story explores themes of love and innocence, nature, self-discovery, justice, and injustice. I also would like to add that the mystery element feels like a perfect thing to read in the summer, but that also may be my love of mystery shining through. In all, I would highly recommend picking up this book during this time of year and allowing yourself to become immersed in Owen's phenomenal story.
(Side note: In terms of who this book is for, in my opinion, though the book is recommended for 15 and up, I think it is more for older teens and up as there are a couple of suggestive/explicit scenes as well as dark themes throughout that I believe is better suited to an older more mature audience who can also skim through things if they so wish.)
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain
My second recommendation is "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain. Who says you can't read a classic in the summer? While I typically reserve classics for the other seasons, I do have to say that this is the perfect summer read!
For those that may not have read this in school, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" follows the journey of Huck Finn during the pre-Civil War era. The story starts with him being raised by Widow Douglas as his only parent alive (his father) is an alcoholic. Later in the story, his father kidnaps Huck, and he takes extreme measure to escape the abuse, he fakes his death. The rest of the story follows his adventures as he leaves everything behind to live on a raft on the Mississippi River with the Widow Douglas' slave, Jim.
What I like about this story, besides the sense of escapism and adventure, is that there are many eye-opening moments for Huck. Throughout their experiences, Huck wrestles with his conscience and societal norms. He struggles with conflicting ideas of morality, particularly concerning his friendship with Jim, as he was raised to believe that helping a slave escape is morally wrong. Huck's internal conflict serves as a central theme of the novel, exploring questions of race, social conventions, and individual conscience.
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is a coming-of-age tale that explores themes of race, freedom, and the moral complexities of society. It is a satirical and profound critique of the antebellum South and the time's deeply ingrained prejudices and hypocrisies. The novel concludes with Huck's moral growth and a controversial and thought-provoking ending that challenges readers to reflect on the issues of justice and humanity. If you have not already read this story, I highly recommend it this summer!
"Little House on the Prairie" by Laura Ingalls Wilder
For the fourth book I recommend the beloved "Little House on the Prairie" series which follows Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family as she grows up in the American Midwest during the 19th century. Throughout these books, she recounts her childhood's joys, hardships, and trials into adulthood. These books are relatively easy to read and hold many nostalgic childhood feelings. The easiness of the read and the childhood nostalgia are two reasons I believe these are perfect for reading in the summertime. Additionally, the setting of these stories, the surrounding countryside, specifically the prairie, has a strong summer feel.
Additionally, themes such as adventure and exploration, the connection to nature and reliance on the land, and the importance of family and love are explored in these books. So if you are looking for a book/books that will make you feel warm, nostalgic, and provide a certain level of escapism, I would highly recommend giving these a read this summer.
"Persuasion" by Jane Austen
Another top recommendation is "Persuasion" by Jane Austen. For those that may not have read it, the story follows the main character Anne Elliot an Englishwoman of 27 years old. Her family, in need of lowering their expenses and reducing their debt, rents a home to an admiral and his wife. The wife's brother, Captain Wentworth, was engaged to Anne years ago but she was persuaded by others to break it off. Eight years later, they are both single and reencounter each other.
"Persuasion” holds many humorous and romantic interactions between the two. It also explores love and romance, persuasion and influence, and regret, second chances and personal growth, all in a coastal setting. Between the romance, location, and themes, this book is perfect for reading in the summertime.
"Atomic Habits" by James Clear
My final recommendation is the book "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. This famous self-help book gives practical strategies and insights for building and sustaining good habits while breaking bad ones. The main idea throughout the book is that making small, incremental changes in our daily routines can lead to significant growth over time. I've been seeing this book everywhere for a while, and though I haven't read this yet, I will be this summer. And as I said earlier, I feel like summer is the time to focus on self-growth, and one way we all could do that is to work on our habits.
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Questions
What is on your summer reading list?
What’s one book you would recommend?
Which one of these do you want to read this summer?
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