Malibu Rising is quintessential summer reading. Celebrities, rock stars, gossip, love affairs and bad decisions, Reid’s newest novel is framed by literal fires that loom in the distance, and you’ll be entranced in what is no doubt summer’s most fun read. Bonus: the audio book of this is absolutely stunning.
Nella Rogers works at a large publishing company, but when she begins to offer her opinions on an established author’s cultural insensitivity, she starts to become suspicious of everyone around here. But those suspicions aren’t unfounded as she soon finds a mysterious note that says, “leave now.” Part Devil Wears Prada, part The Vanishing Half, you need to do yourself a favor and read The Other Black Girl.
If someone said one of my favorite novels this year would be about the Dust Bowl and is a sweeping epic that’s a mix between The Grapes of Wrath and The Age of Innocence, I would have laughed. But this novel is everything. A grandiose storyline that moves through the decades of America’s prosperity and subsequent failings. But Hannah’s novel is nothing short of a masterpiece and despite it’s near 500 page length, it’s one of the fastest reads of the year.
Quintessential summer reading. A husband cheats on his wife, and she decides to go on their planned anniversary vacation without him. But while in London, she discovers a vial, which belonged to an apothecary from the 1700s—an apothecary who used to work to help poison unfaithful and abusive husbands.
The Prophets is, hands down, my favorite book of the year. It’s also one of my favorite books of all time. In this gorgeously written literary work, you explore the most unlikely love on a slave plantation. It’s not exactly what we would call “summer reading” but if you’re looking for a powerful punch and want your mind pushed, look no further than Jones’ masterpiece.
Beginning with a cautionary tale about where we shouldn’t go with strangers, Jones brings us to Barbados where Lala’s water breaks and she can’t find her husband. As she is compelled to approach a house she’s never been to before, she hears a gunshot followed by a scream (in that order). When her husband opens the door to that house, Lala’s world will never be the same again.
In this year’s most insane novel, calorie counting obsessed Rachel decides to take a detox from her emotionally abusive mother and nearly all of her friends. But as she changes her appetite, she awakens to all sorts of other cravings. If My Year of Rest and Relaxation had you giggling in delight, Milk Fed should jump to the top of your summer reading.
Like The Prophets, Klara and the Sun isn’t exactly light summer reading. But this beautiful tale of a robot looking to be purchased by a home where she can learn to love a child is too beautiful to ignore. Ishiguro creates a world that feels all too real and fragile. If you’re looking for a more subdued read this summer, then this might be just what you’re looking for.
Beginning with the Cuban Revolution in a cigar factory and going all the way to present day America with ICE and drug addiction, Garcia’s epic tale of how we’re influenced by our past is an exciting and continually surprising tale well worth your time. One of the more timely reads on this list.
Bechdel’s newest graphic novel gets to the heart of what makes us tick. What causes inspiration. If you’re looking to find inspiration in the world around you, and you’re looking for something both meditative and motivational, Bechdel’s newest might be just the thing you need to kick your summer into high gear.
Daniel Valentin teaches English 9 and Senior Seminar at Horace Greeley High School. He is currently reading The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Harris and is listening to My Therapist, My Lover by Cris Beam. He wants his students to feel empowered through books. Follow him on Twitter @DanielJValentin
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