Summer Reads — Charger Press

Sonia Wright

Summer is already here and most of us will have a lot of free time, so it’s important to stay busy and fill your summer with reading! Take a book outside and read in the warm sunlight - go to the library and pick up a book to relax with for the day - explore a local café and spend the day reading and drinking lattes; whatever it may be, there are so many ways to stay busy.

I asked a few teachers for reading recommendations, did some research, and finally compiled a list of books that are worth a read. I tried to include a number of genres, but if none of these books suit your taste, feel free to talk to Mrs. Gorski; she gives the best recommendations!

Mrs. Kowalse’s recommendations

Hater by David Moody

This book is part of a series of three that can be read as a standalone, but you’ll want to keep reading to get past the cliffhanger at the end. It starts a bit slow with a middle-aged British man who is bored by his job and his family. Small things start to happen in society–a switch seemingly flips in perfectly normal people–and they turn into “haters,” maniacal killers who cannot be reasoned with. Is it a genetic mutation? An airborne chemical? A virus? Soon, haters are everywhere and people are terrified to leave their homes. It’s a book reminiscent of zombie-genre or horror literature that keeps you on the edge of your seat with lots of unexpected plot twists.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

As the author of one of my favorite books, The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd wrote another masterpiece, this time exploring American slavery. She infuses research and many accurate facts in this historical fiction novel, which follows a young enslaved black girl named Handful and an white female abolitionist named Sarah Grimke. The chapters alternate between these two different voices across decades of their lives. The story begins with Sarah at age 11 being gifted a young slave (Handful). Sarah taught Handful to read, which resulted in both girls being punished (Handful is the fictionalized version of Hetty, the slave that real-life Sarah received who was killed from the punishment for being taught to read). In the fictionalized story, Kidd explores how Sarah grew to become an early abolitionist and feminist and how Handful survives the horrific conditions of slavery.

Mrs. Gorski’s Recommendations:

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

This young adult thriller is a speed read that’s still worth your time. It follows 18-year-old Daunis who struggles to find where she belongs. Being a biracial, unenrolled member of the Ojibwe tribe, she has never quite fit in. When she witnesses a brutal murder in her community, she agrees to go undercover for the FBI but discovers things that make her question everything she has ever known. This mystery has a touch of romance and I can guarantee that you will be on the edge of your seat the whole time.

Furia by Yamille Mendez

Furia provides the unique perspective of a woman who has big dreams for her future, but lives in a place where it is not socially acceptable for women to play sports professionally. Finally in her senior year of high school, Camila Hassan dreams of being a pro futbol player. However, her dreams are constantly being shut down by the reality she lives in. This story follows Camila’s journey of defying others’ expectations and making her dream a reality.

Sonia’s Recommendations

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

Zorie and Lennon used to be best friends, but were driven apart and haven’t talked to each other since. They meet on a camping trip and end up stranded in the wilderness with nothing but a few backpacks and their wits to get back home. This book is a smooth read and is really enjoyable when you’re in a slump. This romance shows how two people can be brought together under the starry sky by resolving misunderstandings and having the chance to talk things out. This story shows just how important communication is to maintaining relationships and it won’t fail to make you smile.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

“My mother screaming when she realized she could no longer touch me. My father screaming when he realized what I’d done to my mother. My parents screaming when they’d lock me in my room and tell me I should be grateful. For their food. For their humane treatment of this thing that could not possibly be their child. For the yardstick they used to measure the distance I needed to keep away. I ruined their lives, is what they said to me” (Mafi 18). Everyone is afraid and no one would dare to come close; Juliette has never been loved all because of her fatal touch. She doesn’t know why it’s that way, all she knows is that she is a threat to the people around her. This book is a beautifully woven masterpiece that delves into various mental health issues and is an exceptionally deep read. With 11 books in this series, once you read the first one you won’t be able to stop. Juliette has to repair the broken world she lives in, but repair herself simultaneously without letting down the world of people counting on her. This dystopian romance will make you anxious for more and Juliette’s story will be forever engraved in your mind.

BookTok Recommendations:

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Anything by Colleen Hoover is worth a read, but It Ends With Us has been recommended to me by many people. This romance features a girl named Lily who has had an enjoyable ride through highschool and college and recently opened her own business. Her life is nearly perfect when she meets Ryle, a neurosurgeon with a soft side for her. However, her good fortune ends when her first love, Atlas reappears in her life and threatens everything she has with Ryle. She thinks everything is going south, but luckily, fate can have some crazy things in store for you.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Famous actress Evelyn Hugo approaches Monique, a journalist, in hopes that she will publish her biography before she passes. The book follows the story of Evelyn’s life and all the sacrifices she has made for fame. Evelyn’s life was full of thrills, but pleasure can never exist in the absence of tragedy. Evelyn wishes for Monique to publish the truth to her scandalous life, and bring to light the secrets she has been burdened with. However, Evelyn did not choose Monique to publish her farewell biography for no reason, in listening to Evelyn’s story Monique receives news that turns her world upside-down. This book is not famous on TikTok for no reason - with captivating writing and enchanting characters, you won’t be able to put it down.

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

Inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame follows Zafira whose purpose in life is to act as the Hunter. She disguises herself as a man and is sent on a quest to restore the magic to her aching world and on her journey she meets the Prince of Death, Nasir. Nasir is the crown prince and is prepared to assassinate anyone that goes against his father, the sultan. Neither of them fit their places in society, but are forced to play the roles they were given and save their world from the lurking evil waiting to strike.

Although summer is the perfect time for fun in the sun, don’t let that stop you from reading. Sora is a great resource with a huge variety of books and is always available through your school login. Sora Sweet Reads also has a list of book recommendations for high school students that they have available to read for free (see the list attached below). Books are a great pastime to read at night or in your free time. It can be an escape from reality, just for a bit. But be careful - you might not be able to put them down.