Young Adult Summer Reading Suggestions

One of the best parts about summer is getting a little extra time to do some "fun" reading. I never get the chance to read for pleasure during the school year because I find myself not wanting to even look at another book after doing my required school reading, as I'm sure other college kids can relate to. Summer is a great chance to catch up on your reading, whether it be informative, light and silly, or dramatic.

I decided to compile a list of books for the young adult readers who, like me, may be looking for something lighter in between school or something more relevant to our life stage. Check out my picks below.

1. Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now by Meg Jay This book was recommended to me by a friend. As a Sociology major, I found the psychological and sociological frameworks of the book to be extremely interesting and helpful in understanding how a person's life is so very affected by many of their actions and decisions that take place during their twenties. Although the book touches on some important topics like marriage, career path, etc., it is an easy read and easy to digest. It comes with real stories from the author from her practice as a clinical psychologist.

2. The Price of the Haircut by Brock Clarke This book is a collection of satirical stories. The great part about this book is that it isn't your typical funny poolside read. Although some of the stories are ridiculous to the point of being funny and absurd, many of the stories use satire to make a point or to make the reader conscious of society and how it controls our lives. You'll become invested in the characters, whether it be the man whose wife left him for a famous author and now invites tourists to visit his "pity palace," the group of men who put racism aside in favor of a cheap haircut, or a family who tells the same story at Thanksgiving every year.

3. Sick in the Head: Conversations About Life and Comedy by Judd Apatow Sick in the Head is a collection of interviews that Judd Apatow (producer and writer for hit TV show Girls, and movies Knocked Up and 40 Year Old Virgin) conducted with famous comedians throughout his life. Some of the interviews were conducted when he was in high school working for the broadcast team, and others were conducted after he became more famous and entered the world of comedy himself. Interviewees include Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, Steve Martin, Adam Sandler and more. It's an inside look at the funny people and how they got started in addition to their funny quips on comedy.

4. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Read this, then go find your nearest Redbox to watch the movie that just came out on DVD! It's a classic mystery with a vintage feel, originally published in 1934. The storyline involves a murder that takes place on the Orient Express, a train moving across Europe. The rest of the train's passengers are inspected and you get to learn their stories and secrets as the mystery unfolds.

5. Flaneuse: Women Walk the City in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Venice, and London by Lauren Elkin This book is a sociological focus on various cities and the women who have walked their streets. It looks at how women have historically interacted with the idea of “the city.” It uses specific instances from the author’s life, as she has lived in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Venice, and London.

6. Wallis in Love: The Untold Life of the Duchess of Windsor, the Woman Who Changed the Monarchy by Andrew Morton Ever since the latest royal wedding, everyone has been wanting to know more and more about the monarchy and its key players. With shows like The Tudors and The Crown becoming more popular, too, it’s time to catch up on your history! This book focuses on Wallis Simpson, wife of Edward, who abdicated the throne of England, changing the lineage so that Elizabeth could eventually become Queen. Much like Meghan Markle, Wallis was an American, but many of the similarities stop there. Share your favorite young adult reads below.

Looking for more book suggestions? See A Passion for Stories: And how they came to be and Summer reading – authors’ edition by Andria Frankfort. Also, check out our weekly Book Buzz blog for recommendations from local librarians.