Hi everyone!
The warm weather is signaling the end of classes and schoolwork, but for those who enjoy reading, this summer also marks the opportunity to fall back into some good books! I know I have some books that I want to catch up on, and the chance to read outside and enjoy the warm weather is exactly the kind of boost that I need to kickstart my reading goals! If you’re looking to catch up on some reading and you don’t know where to start, here is a list of ten standalone books that my Hawkeye friends and I have recommended for incoming students to enjoy as much as we did!
Blackouts by Justin Torres
Starting off strong with this historical fiction novel, Torres discusses queerness and the suppression/violence that history has towards the queer identity. The novel centers on two old friends as one of them is slowly passing away. Their last few discussions are surrounding queer erasure and slowly but surely, the past bleeds into the present and the future.
One of the coolest aspects of this novel is Torres’s use of multimedia photographs, texts, and nonfiction documents that make the readers question where Torres has fictionalized the narrative and where these things actually happened. This is an insightful queer read from an award-winning author that you definitely don’t want to miss!
Summer in the City by Alex Aster
How else should you spend the summer besides reading a book set in the summer?
Aster’s debut romance novel is, quite literally, meant for summer romance readers. Set in New York City, the main character, Elle, is struggling to finish her next big movie script, and she enlists the help of her next-door neighbor turned billionaire, and the two embark on an enemies-to-lovers and fake dating plotline.
If you’re looking for a fun, fresh, and quick read, this is worth reading!
Future Feeling by Joss Lake
This is one of my favorite recent reads, so I just HAD to add it to the list!
In this surrealist, futuristic, and dystopian novel, a dog-walker, Penfield, becomes obsessed with a trans influencer, Aiden Chase, and after an interaction between them goes wrong, Pen enlists the help of a witch and a stoner/hacker to put a hex on Aiden. Unfortunately, the hex goes wrong, and Pen and Aiden must team up to travel to the Shadowlands to reverse the effects of the curse.
Lake balances the serious topics of advanced technology, the loss of human connection, and the trans identity with humor and creativity. If you’re looking to support a trans author and trans narratives, this is THE book to read!
Broken Things by Lauren Oliver
In this young adult mystery/thriller, it’s been five years since Mia and Brynn were accused of killing their best friend, Summer, after the three of them became obsessed with the characters and world in a fictional novel. Mia and Brynn have handled Summer’s death in a variety of ways, but when new details about the murder come out years later, they must band together to clear their names and reconcile with the obsession that destroyed their childhood.
This book is great for people who love young adult novels, murder mysteries, and themes of fanfictional obsessions turned deadly!
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Calling all fantasy lovers!
This novel follows Addie LaRue as she finds herself cursed to live an immortal life where nobody can remember her once she leaves their line of sight. Throughout the novel, Addie reconciles and adjusts to the ins and outs of her curse until three hundred years later when she meets a man who remembers her.
This novel has high stakes, swoony romances, and leaves you wanting so much more. When I finished it, I actually started crying! If you’ve noticed this book on bookshelves and you’ve been thinking about picking it, this might be your sign to finally give it a read!
One Day by David Nicholls
For people who love literary fiction and complicated romances, this is your next favorite read!
The novel takes place over the course of ten years and follows two characters, Dexter and Emma, who are college friends with romantic tension between them. With each chapter taking place on the same day, every year, the severity of their relationship is challenged through the past, present, and the future, as the significance of this one day comes to a head.
I actually read this book after watching the television show on Netflix (which had me in tears, by the way!), so if you’re looking for a dense, literary fiction novel that is going to make you reconsider your most meaningful relationships, grab your tissues and read this masterpiece!
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Let’s switch gears to a pop culture memoir!
In her debut memoir, McCurdy reflects on her childhood as a child actress alongside the abuse she faced from her mother and the entertainment industry. She examines her past with eating disorders, toxic relationships, and how to properly heal as an adult.
For those of you who are easily triggered by eating disorders or verbal abuse, this might not be the read for you, but overall, I thought this was an amazing debut, and McCurdy showed herself in a very raw and real limelight that will continue to strike readers to their cores.
You’re the Problem It’s You by Emma R. Alban
While this book is technically a standalone, it’s also the spinoff to the Bridgerton-lesbian romance novel, Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend.
In this novel, a young lord and a second son in the Victorian era go from enemies to lovers in this Bridgerton-esque love story! Bound by responsibility and societal standards, both men must reconcile with their closeted sexualities and find a way to be together even if society doesn’t want them to be.
If you’re a fan of Bridgerton and you want a gay version, this is your book!
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
This is one of my favorite reads of the year so far! I actually read this book for my 21st Century African American Literature course, and it totally blew me away!
In this book, Coates writes three essays regarding her personal experience and narrative of three separate locations that are facing race-based conflicts. Particularly, his last section focuses on Israel and Palestine, and his thoughts took the media by storm and are still used to continue conversations surrounding the conflict today.
If you’re interested in learning more about Israel and Palestine, I would highly recommend picking up this book!
I Am Yours by Reema Zaman
To finish off this roundup, I definitely want to recommend this beautiful memoir!
In her debut memoir, Zaman retells the story of her childhood in Bangladesh, the struggles with her family dynamic, her eating disorder, and the abusive marriage that she was forced to step away from. Zaman does an incredible job at representing struggle and healing, and her memoir is a stunning collection of the many ways in which we ‘leave’ in life.
I was lucky enough to see Zaman speak at an author event, and trust me, she’s just as eloquent in real life as she is in her prose. That being said, I would recommend reading her work and enjoying it as much as I did!
That concludes my recommendations! I hope this list gave you some ideas on how to diversify your reading or what to buy at the bookstore/borrow at your local library the next time you visit.
Stay tuned for my final blog post next week (bittersweet, I know!)
