Rest-of-the-Summer Books

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.