While getting out of school is exciting, I often find that feeling motivated to read for fun eludes me for most of the summer. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading! It just takes the right book to set the summer reading frenzy in motion.
Every genre has its own gems that enthrall any reader. As an avid reader, I have specifically chosen these novels because they are easy to follow and have inviting narration. If you’re looking for a new way to relax and take your mind off of summer assignments or work, take a look at some of these titles to get started.
Fiction
“My Side of the Mountain” by Jean Craighead George is a wonderful novel aimed at ages 9-15 that details the adventures of 15-year-old Sam Gribley. Growing up, Sam always loved the outdoors and imagined living freely among nature in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. One day, he decides that he will live on his grandfather’s abandoned farm hidden deep in the mountains with a few tools, 40 dollars, and his courage to keep him safe.
This book is exciting and fulfills a strange fantasy almost everyone has experienced: What if I just ran away and lived in the woods? And I know you’ve thought about it, so don’t act like you haven’t.
Fantasy/Adventure
“Percy Jackson & the Olympians” is a massively popular children’s fantasy series by Rick Riordan. The series highlights the adventures of Percy Jackson, the powerful son of Poseidon, and his other demigod friends as they battle mythological enemies. Through quests and battles, Percy and his friends still continue to try to live normal teenage lives, even in the face of Olympus-level threats. Not to mention, THERE’S A SERIES IN DEVELOPMENT!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOH!!! Ahem, anyway.
These novels are sure to keep you reading book after book, and after this series, there are many more like it to check out. He has several series of Egyptian, Norse, and a mix of Greek/Roman myths to keep you going!
Nonfiction
If you’re looking for something more informative yet still easy to read, check out “Reality Is Broken” by Jane McGonigal. The author explores how society can utilize the benefits of gaming online in order to make our lives more productive. She further questions if the same productivity to fix long term issues like poverty and climate change. I personally have started to implement some of the ideas suggested in this book, and it’s made a massive difference for me.
I suffer from depression every day, and the smallest things often feel like a burden; however, I’ve created a spreadsheet of goals and have small rewards that I receive at the end of each week based on if I reached the set quota for each goal. For example, if I go for a walk three out of seven days a week, I might get to order the next book in the series I’d been reading. As difficult as it can be feeling so behind in everyday things like drinking enough water, hygiene, or exercise, making a small game out of positive habits has drastically improved my life.
This book isn’t just for gamers looking to be more productive in everyday life: it’s also for people searching for a new way to solve issues spanning from not having the time for doing laundry to finally going after the job of their dreams. For such an educational book, it reads clearly and will not leave you feeling confused.
Science Fiction
Sci-fi has many influential works and authors to its name; however, Richard Matheson and his novel “I Am Legend” stand out. This thrilling novel features Robert Neville, the last man on Earth. Everyone around him has turned into vampires, leading to a drastic change in his everyday living. And no, I don’t mean that movie with Will Smith where it’s zombies and there’s a German Shepard.
Of course, from time to time there are random things that date the book that make you tug on your collar and chuckle at an older generation. But trust me, this is a great book to have in your references back pocket and will definitely broaden your sci-fi horizons.
With its straightforward narration and non-stop plot, this book is sure to keep you captivated and wanting more.
Historical Fiction
“Pride & Prejudice” is a well known Jane Austen novel highlighting the slow-burning romance between intelligent Elizabeth Bennet and prideful Fitzwilliam Darcy in 19th century England. Austen’s usage of language is easy to follow and makes enjoying classic literature simple, with relatable characters and an enthralling plot. One of my biggest hang-ups on classics is my lack of reading comprehension and consequent ability to focus when reading older-fashioned books, but with any Jane Austen novel in general, I haven’t had a problem so far.
I personally think it’s one of the most beautiful pieces of literature from Austen and the backbone for all modern love stories. It’s impossible not to fall in love with both Darcy and Mr. Bingley, and I think that the evolvement of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship is so interesting and makes it hard to put the book down.
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I hope this quick blurb on reading frenzy-inducing books has left you satisfied! Sorry for the short article, but you’ll have more time to read my blog later when you’re done reading all of these books.