Winter has finally ended. Unfortunately, that lovely spring weather seems to only be lasting a short time, and it’s already quickly fleeting. That’s right, summer is coming. Judging by how harsh this winter was, the summer is sure to be a scorcher. Many of us will indeed have to shield ourselves from the intense heat in the cool air-conditioned temperatures of our homes. For those who are planning their summer indoors, or even outdoors for the brave and of high heat tolerance, why not spend some time reading? Whether you’re planning a trip to the beach or relaxing in front of the AC, a book can not only add some entertainment value to your summer days, but also some intellectual value. For students, summer vacations can be a hard transition, especially if you’re going back to school after only a few months. This is the opportunity to do some reading that you want to do, and are not being forced to, and some recreational reading will help you ease back into those forced readings once school starts back up again. For others, many of us can’t remember the last time we picked up a book. While TV and movies are great, sometimes their aren’t any interesting releases, and all the channels in the world can’t seem to bring you what you want to watch.
So, we suggest delving into a good book this summer. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 recommendations for your summer reading.
Have any other suggestions? Already have your summer reading list put together? Tell us about it in the comments below!
[ new page = 10: All the Kings Men]
The novel, written by Robert Penn Warren, was published in 1946. A film version was made in 1949 and 2006, the former winning the Academy Award for Best Picture that year. It is also on Time magazine’s list of 100 best novels since 1923. The main thing to observe while reading the novel is that actions have consequences.
[ new page = 9: White Noise]
The novel, written by Don DeLillo, was first published in 1985. The work is postmodern and satirical, exploring society’s fear of death, along with its addiction to media and chemical cure’s. Time listed the novel on its list of 100 Best English-language novels from 1923-2005.
[ new page = 8: Slouching Towards Bethlehem]
The work is a collection of essays put together and published in 1968 by author Joan Didion. The title comes form the poem “The Second Coming” by W. B. Yeats. The majority of the essays describe Didion’s experiences living in California during the 1960’s.
[ new page = 7: Chicken Soup for the Soul]
The work is the first in a series brought forth by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Really, you can read any of the books in the series, as they will have the same effect. The books compile true and inspiring stories, thus providing that contented and warm feeling, thus the title. The book was published in 1993, and will help keep you at ease this summer should you find yourself needing something to uplift you.
[ new page = 6: Leaves of Grass]
This is a collection of poetry by American poet Walt Whitman. The title comes form the featured poem. Whitman praises nature and humanities tie to it. Whitman was highly influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Transcendentalist movement.
[ new page = 5: Macbeth]
A work of Shakespeare, first pulished in 1623 as The Tragedie of Macbeth. Why not spend your free time this summer exploring the classics of Shakespeare. As the saying goes, “it’s cliché for a reason.” His works have withstood the tests of time, and if you haven’t read any of his works, this work will surely get you hooked.
[ new page = 4: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone]
Why not enjoy a trip down memory lane this summer? While you can choose any book from your childhood, for this list we’re going with Harry Potter. For many, the seven books and eight films have also made us forget where it all started. Re-reading an old favorite will surely boost your summer’s enjoyment rate.
[ new page = 3: The Great Gatsby]
The novel was written in 1925 by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I’m sure most of you have seen the recent film version starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby himself. And hopefully most of you have seen the ‘70s Coppola version as well. So, why not try reading the book? Neither film does the novel justice, though Coppola comes close, and if you haven’t taken the time to read it previously, there’s no time like the present.
[ new page = 2: The Alchemist]
The novel was written by Paulo Coelho in 1988. Originally written in Portuguese, but has been translated into almost 60 languages. The book is an international bestseller, and is in the Guinness book of World Records for being the most translated book by a living author. The novel is allegoric and inspiring in nature, and is a must read.
[ new page = 1: Galatea 2.2]
The novel was written by Richard Powers as a pseudo-autobiography in 1995. Powers was named a MacArthur Fellow in 1989, meaning he was awarded the “Genius Grant”. The novel describes an incidence of the protagonist attempting to “teach” a computer, eventually forming a complicated relationship with it.