Lately, I’ve been searching for my list of summer reads once school finally ends, but I’ve become increasingly frustrated; it seems that ‘summer read’ has become a polite synonym for vapid slop. From unexciting rom-coms to predictable mysteries just begging to be turned into a Netflix limited series, summer reading lists have become just so boring. Never fear, however, for below I’ve shared a couple of my favorite recent reads and several of my past summer books spanning several different genres; keep reading to find your first ‘not-so-beachy’ read.
If you can relate to the minutes feeling like hours as the seconds tick tick tick till the final bell rings on the last day of school, then you’ll instantly connect with the “Bike Patrol” in Elm Haven, Illinois. Summer of Night by Dan Simmons is an immersive, gripping supernatural thriller set in a suburban town much like Mendham or Chester in the summer of 1960. The story follows a group of twelve-year-old boys as they must reckon with the horrific underbelly of their otherwise idyllic town. Reminiscent of a Steven King novel, Simmons draws the reader in with multi-faceted characters and a nostalgic feel that is apt to draw in every reader into the depths of its story.
If a more current, irreverent coming-of-age novel is more your speed, then you might enjoy Jennette McCurdy’s novel Half His Age. Tackling the age-old trope of student-teacher relationships, McCurdy critiques current consumerism, social media, and mother-daughter dynamics in one fell swoop; we follow the difficult journey of 17-year-old high school senior Waldo as she falls for her English teacher while reckoning with her own self-esteem and feelings toward her mother. If you are looking for a romance novel that is deeper than a thimble but a quick, engaging read, then this New York Times bestseller is a good beach read; be advised, however, that this book features a significant portion of explicit scenes.
Another fantastic book featuring a young woman exploring her family’s heritage and sexuality is The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King. As her grandparents’ health continues to decline, Monica Tsai becomes increasingly interested in her Chinese heritage and the mysterious past of her grandmother, who up to this point had only ever mentioned her upbringing with vague, mysterious descriptions. After she learns of her family’s supernatural power connected to pencils, she digs deeper into the preservation of her grandmother’s memory as it continues to deteriorate, all the while navigating a new relationship with another student As King combinines current technology with the emotional experiences of Chinese citizens during the invasion of Manchuria, she explores the difficulty of communication and just how important the preservation of memory can be.
Looking for something a little more light-hearted? Look no further than Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. Despite having been published in 2000, Sedaris’ storytelling and hilarious commentary on the world around him remain relevant even twenty-six years later. The novel is organized as a collection of personal stories, ranging from his outrageous experiences in a French language class to recounting timeless stories about his family. Sedaris even talks about his early foray into the absolutely insane, pretentious world of performative art. A winner of the Lambda Literary Award for humor, this book is a great beach bag addition for its lighthearted depictions of everyday life and relatable anecdotes.
If you want a little more recent, nostalgic feel than the 60s, i.e., the 80s, a great pick in the horror genre is My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix. Unlike Summer of Night, this story follows best friends since fourth grade, Abby and Gretchen, throughout 1988, following a botched lakeside sleepover that leaves Gretchen acting strange. As the book progresses, Gretchen continues to worsen, becoming vindictive and judgmental. None of the adults in their lives seems to notice or care, so Abby knows that if she wants her best friend back, she’ll have to figure it out for herself. If you’re a fan of Netflix’s Stranger Things or ‘80s analog nostalgia, then you should be sure to enjoy this book. Not only does it blend friend relationship drama with teenage angst, but it throws in the hysteria at the height of the Satanic Panic all into one. While I can’t vouch for the quality of the 2022 movie adaptation available on Prime Video, if you’re more into a good visual scare, then I’d suggest checking it out.
My final pick is another modern award-winning ‘classic’; instead of teenage girls fighting demons, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller tells the story of young men conquering armies. This book is an excellent summer read, though I may just be biased after reading it on the beach myself. Madeline Miller’s flowing prose seamlessly transports the reader into Ancient Greece, her use of color and metaphor adding eloquence to an otherwise brutal time period. Her novel follows the rise of Achilles, the famous Greek warrior, to fame through the eyes of his closest friend and lover, Patroclus, who, aside from his connection with Achilles, is deemed worthless after being expelled from his father’s kingdom.
I hope that one of these novels sparks your interest and doesn’t melt your brain as much as some of the other recommendations circulating on the internet right now. Happy reading!
