By Sarah Fertsch
Whether you are on a hammock or sitting at the water’s edge with your toes in the sand, nothing says summer more than getting lost in good read. Practice some escapism and dive into a compelling book this summer. Here are my recommendations:
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
By Bryn Greenwood
This book will shock you and remind you of the overwhelming beauty and fears central to life. The story follows Wavy Quinn, an angelic-appearing little girl with a dark secret. Her presence brings stress and joy to different characters, leading to a criminal investigation. You will question the meaning of justice and social taboos. The plot moves quickly; I finished this book in three days. I’m sure you will do the same.
The Golden Compass
By Philip Pullman
Looking for some fantasy? Explore a multidimensional multiverse through the eyes of a preteen girl, with the fate of theology and philosophy resting on her shoulders. Pullman writes his own take on biblical and sacred texts (similar to The DaVinci Code), and uses creative characters to express his radical beliefs. Consider the nature of the human psyche, the presence of evil in the world, and the sovereignty of man in this children’s book written for adults. The Golden Compass is the first book in the His Dark Materials series. Awe at the magnificence of Pullman’s creation by watching the series on HBO Max.
The Perks of Being
a Wallflower
By Stephen Chbomsky
This coming-of-age read offers a unique perspective on a teenage boy’s struggle with fitting in and looming post-traumatic stress. Written in the form of letters to a stranger, Charlie exposes his anxieties and love toward his friend Sam, and how deeply he desires to belong. Heartfelt and deep, this book will make you cry. Be sure to watch the movie, which was directed and written by Chbomsky himself (and is streaming on Netflix).
The House on
Mango Street
By Sandra Cisneros
Page through a collection of prose and short stories through the eyes of a young Latina girl named Esperanza. She writes about her desire to be beautiful and cruel, the fortitude and hope found in four skinny trees, and the random lottery of illness and death. She describes painful benchmarks of growing up, eating rice sandwiches at school, and witnessing her father cry. Considered a classic, The House on Mango Street will enrich your pluralistic worldview, and encourage you to be thankful for all things.
Books represent such an important part of our lives. Reading elicits so many benefits: increased vocabulary, increased memory, increased writing skills. And nothing feels better than sitting on the beach, waves kissing your toes, cold drink beside you, entrenched in a story. It’s truly, inevitably, beautiful.
