Rest-of-the-Summer Books
I have hereby decided that I will post something once a week, unless there is an emergency or an announcement that cannot wait and therefore must interrupt your blissfully casey-free week.
So, I despise being
the bearer of bad news, but there is only sixteen days until the 2013~2014
school year debuts. Unless you’re Mik, who has something like negative five
(sucker). Which means only sixteen days remain to enjoy your freedom before
you’re laden with school, homework, extra-curriculars and family commitments.
So how are you going to spend those sixteen days: not thinking about school?
Trying to forget about school? Well, look no further. I have a list of books
for you that will help you get the most out of those SIXTEEN DAYS before you
become ensnared in the dark, dismal depths of the dungeon called school. Read these out on the beach, the grass, or in your air-conditioned home
and flit between the worlds of these ten worthwhile novels.
So
the criteria I used to choose these ten is quite different than other ones,
because the list title provides no boundaries. So some things I took into
consideration are: whether I liked it (obviously – I will probably basically
never recommend a book that I did not enjoy), the time you have to wait until
the next one comes out (if it’s a series, and it’s virtually nothing, I think),
the different worlds and supernatural stuff involved (there isn’t much of that
in this one, though), summer-ness, how it’ll inspire you to do something (whether
it’s with your summer, your life, or to finally give up reading crappy books)
and finally, the most important one, how likely the book is to make a different
list (I have a lot of lists, and I try to diversify them as much as possible.
Obviously, really good books make many lists frequently, but I don’t want you
guys to have to read the same list over and over again. So this may not be the
true top ten, but I can guarantee that they won’t waste your time, and you’ll
definitely get something out of them.).
I
hope you guys enjoy the little reviews I made for you, which will accompany
every book in every list I ever post.
Also,
the books on this list contain mature content and not recommended for younger
teens.
#10
If I Stay (If I Stay, #1) by Gayle
Forman
This
book is about seventeen year old cello prodigy Mia Hall, who is in a car
accident and goes into a coma. She can see and hear things going on around her
– but she’s not attached to her body and she can’t wake up. It talks about all
the goodies: life, love, death, who you are, fitting in, important choices –
it’s definitely a book that makes you think.
#9
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
You’ll
soon find out all about my love of lists, and bucket lists are no different.
Tessa Scott was diagnosed with terminal cancer and has since then fabricated a
bucket list, which both “have sex” and “fall in love” are entered. This book
deals with many social issues common within teenagers such as drugs and
pregnancy, as well as death, family, love, and letting go. If it inspires you
to make your own bucket list, be sure to comment! Spoiler alert: you guys will
also come to know my hatred for cheesy endings, and this ending is most
certainly NOT cheesy.
#8 The Lying Game (The Lying Game #1) by Sara Shepard
People,
this is way better than Pretty Little Liars, guaranteed. Foster kid Emma Paxton
is suddenly thrown into her long-lost and up-until-then-unknown twin sister’s
lofty life after Sutton is murdered, most likely by the same people who
threatened Emma. Unfortunately, Sutton’s life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns
(or should I say clothes and parties?) because there is another dangerous game
going on, here – the Lying Game. What is it, exactly, and why is it connected
to her twin’s murder? Read on to find out.
#7
Beach Blondes (Summer #1-3) by
Katherine Applegate
Summer
Smith goes down to Florida for the best summer of her life after living in
boring old Minnesota for too long. There, she has to choose between 3 guys –
but it’s not your typical
“oh-no-my-life-is-so-terrible-I-have-not-one-not-two-but-THREE-guys-to-choose-between”
book. Long-lost siblings, eating disorders, and attempted rape are only some of
the things that Summer and her friends deal with – things that are dealt with
every day by teenagers around the world. The entire series comes recommended,
also does not have a cheesy ending and I hope you’ll realize that hey, sixteen
days is still a lot – I can definitely do something fun!
#6 Notes
from Ghost Town by Kate Ellison
One
of the best books I’ve read in awhile, this one is about Olivia Tithe’s life
while her schizophrenic mother is incarcerated for murdering her best friend,
Stern. While former painter Liv suddenly becomes colour blind, Stern’s ghost
possibly appears and for whatever reason, our main character gets the idea that
her mother isn’t the one responsible for her best friend’s death, although she
did confess. While Liv solves the case, enter Austin Morse: beautiful, not at
all what she thought he would be, and alive. With themes of love, family,
beauty, mental illness and overcoming loss, this book is just an all around
great novel.
#5
Article 5 (Article 5 #1) by Kristen
Simmons
I
must apologize, because this one is going to be on many lists. But if you
haven’t read it, you should, because this is one of those
government-controlled-future book about rebels in love that you have to read.
Ember Miller’s mother is caught breaking one of the 5 moral statues: Article 5
(duh). Who should come to take her away but Em’s former love Chase Jennings?
Hmm. This one inspires bravery in the name of love and standing up for what is
right no matter what the consequences, in all readers. Read it even if it’s
just to find out what Mik and I are always talking about. (Oh and I find it really funny how Article 5 ended up as #5 on the list - coincidence, I swear.)
#4 I
am Number 4 (Lorien Legacies, #1) by
Pittacus Lore (pseudonym)
Do
you believe in aliens? Yes? No? It doesn’t matter, because you’ll enjoy this
book either way. Nine alien teenagers live among humans on Earth with their
alien guards. Another enemy species of alien has been hunting them down, one by
one – literally. With the death of Number Three, Number Four flees to Paradise,
Ohio under the alias John Smith. Watch as John learns about his cool
superpowers, develops relationships with Sam the geeky friend and Sarah the
beautiful girl, and kicks alien ass. No shortage of a badass,
it-all-comes-to-this, climatic final battle here. (Ugh, happened again - I Am Number Four is #4.)
#3 Burn
for Burn (Burn for Burn #1) by Jenny
Han & Siobhan Vivian
So,
I’ve noticed that my reviews are getting longer and longer. Sorry. Anyway, this
book follows three girls, Mary, Lillia, and Kat, who are all bent on revenge on
one person on Jar Island. It has a Summer-(see
#7)-like-vibe until you start reading it, because this novel is a lot deeper
and more intense than the yay-Florida-vacation book. Each girl is quite
different from the others, and when they band together, the story picks up
speed. You’ll love this emotional, poignant novel – that’s a promise.
#2 A
Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Arm
yourself with tissues. Laila and Mariam are two different Afghan women in two
different times, but their lives still collide in this beautiful and moving
novel. Learn about the abuse, heartbreak, and humiliation suffered by oppressed
women everywhere solely because of anatomic differences. This realistic novel
should remind you how lucky you are to just be able to read this book, and also
about the lives torn apart by war even today. Take a minute to send your
thoughts, prayers or even a donation to help efforts in Egypt.
#1
The Host (The Host #1) by Stephenie
Meyer
Don’t
even say it – it’s on a completely different planet than Twilight. Fitting,
because this one is also about aliens – not how we pictured them, though. “Souls”
have taken over the human population, literally taken over, because this
species is parasitic and uses the human body as a tool, seemingly for peaceful
but kind of boring purposes. Unfortunately for them, some humans will fight
this unwelcome entry, and Melanie is one of them. Desperate to find Mel’s love
Jared, they set out on an adventure. And when they find a big, still-human
gang, what should happen but Jared re-fall for Mel, and Ian fall for the soul
inside. As you can see from its #1 position, I adored The Host, and I hope you will too.
Also,
little note: these aren’t on the list, because they frequently make other
lists, but Vampire Academy and The Mortal Instruments are basic books you’ll
have to read, if you haven’t yet, to follow the blog. I promise they’re good,
and if you don’t like them, you’ll like the spinoffs. So don’t sit in
ignorance, read them and if you hate them, PLEASE let me know because I adore
talking books with people who have the opposite taste as I do. Check out all the must-reads, too! Also, Harry
Potter is kind of a given. If you haven’t read Harry Potter, don’t read my
posts.
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