Summer is coming, and we all know what that means. Our moms hound us to read and keep the school in our brains, even though we just want to relax in our room watching screens, lounge by the pool, and hang with friends. 

However, the solution is quite simple; here is my compilation of the perfect summer book list. These are collections of books straight from my bookshelf that fully embody what summer means to me. This list will serve as a guide for summer reading; beginning with the books you should begin summer with and books you should end summer with.

All these books have a special place in my heart and mean the world to me. With the suggestions, I will also offer an explanation for why these books should be read at the beginning, middle, or end of summer, as well as a short synopsis of the book.

The first book is Savvy by Ingrid Law.  This book extrudes childhood memories and summertime nostalgia. It’s a light read that beautifully pairs summertime adventure with the pains of growing up and wanting to be heard. This is definitely the book you want to begin your summer reading with.

Synopsis: This book is about a girl and her family that have powers that they must keep hidden from the world. All is well until her father becomes hospitalized and it is up to her and her siblings to save him. Along the way, she meets some friends and some unlikely events. Adding some friends along the way. I love this book with my whole heart.

My Next book is the heartwrenching novel They Both Die At the End by Adam Silver. This book ripped my heart out and stomped on it. Now I know what you’re thinking, “Anna, why would you pick such a horrible book,” because life is short. In the summer, you want to truly live life. If there’s anything this book taught me – other than to reach for my tissues – is that the life that we are leading is short. This book inspired me to put it down and take a moment to enjoy life while I’m able to. I hope this book also inspires you to go and enjoy the smaller things in life, other than through a screen.

Synopsis: This book takes place in a world where a set group knows the date that you will die and tells you through an ominous phone call. Two boys receive a call the same night warning them of their death and link up on an app for people who have received a call. They decide that they’ll make their last night their best. 

The next book is The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer. . This is the perfect book to read after the last devastating book that we read. This book feels like a warm nostalgic hug. This book makes you end up cheering for the characters you hated and booing the characters you used to love. It’s safe to say that this book is one of my favorite books ever and will remain on my book recommendations for many years to come.

Synopsis: This book centers around twins Conner and Alex Bailey, it follows them as they travel through a magic book into a fairytale book and realize that the stories read to them as kids are more realistic than they think. If you take away anything from this book it should be that nothing is ever truly black or white.This will be on my book recommendations for many years to come.

The next book is a story that I thought I would never love but over the years have grown an attachment to over the years and now love: Pride by Ibi Zoboi. At this point in the year, summer is drawing to a close and this is one of the books that perfectly closes out summer. It’s a story of ending the summer with the feeling that family friends and love are the perfect way to change and grow in yourself. Paired with New York City in the summer and the way that the summer heat and lazy days seem to be taking over you feel like you need one last perfect summer romance novel. 

Synopsis: This book is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This tells the story of a family from Brooklyn, New York, and the gentrification of their neighborhood. This is an amazing book and is truly not talked about enough. The twist of African American families from Brooklyn goes to portray that maybe not everyone is who seem. 

And last but certainly not least is the ICONIC To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. Before everyone goes “this is so overhyped” or “why would I read such a lovey-dovey book, I’ve already watched the movie”. I would like to point out that movies are never as good as books. And what a perfect way to start out the beginning of the school year with a certified classic. 

Synopsis: If you haven’t heard about this book it’s about a girl who has written love letters to everyone she has ever loved. When those love letters get sent out, one got sent to her boyfriend’s sister. It’s pretty clear that the school year is about to get messy. This book was incredible and the movie is a classic Rom-Com that you can watch on Netflix. This is just a classic and a perfect way to end summer and start your school year. 

Okay, that’s the end! We have laughed and cried getting ready for this upcoming school year! I hope that as we start this school year you are happy with the way you spent your time. Thank you so much for giving me your time. I hope you decide to read these books and I hope that you have an amazing summer and start your school year.