Written by Perrin Smith, Illustration by Halle Garrett
Summer is here! Say it with me, “Woo-hoo!” And we’re nearing the halfway point until we return to class, but there’s still plenty of time to go on that small weekend getaway or find a beach that’s not too crowded and spend some time relaxing.
While you’re there — lounging, as any good vacation goes — you’ll want a book to read. But where to begin? There are so many to pick from, literal libraries and stores full of options. So many potentially wrong choices, too. Hmmm… Decisions, decisions.
Here’s a list of a few books you should and shouldn’t bring with you:
Should: “A Place for Us” by Fatima Farheen Mirza
This is a wonderful book. It’s long — nearly 400 pages. But the first couple hundred pages are fairly cheery. The second half, well, that’s a bit different. If you like family dramas, it’s a superb read. Plus, the paperback has fireworks on the cover. That’s perfectly beach-appropriate.
Shouldn’t: “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy
I mean, you could bring it with you. It’s long. Actually, it’s huge. One of the biggest books ever published. Unless you’re a speed reader, you’re probably not making it through this one on a single vacation. But hey, maybe reading a few dozen pages every vacation you take for the rest of your life is a tradition you’d like to start. If so, this is perfect. And if you love Russian history, then, maybe?
Should: “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien
It’s not your typical vacation read, but that’s what makes it so great. Think about it: everyone else is bringing casual, easy reads. Books that are fun to unwind with. And then you’ll be there, fantasy book in hand. You’ll stand out and have a great one-off book to enjoy that’s not all that dense for high fantasy. Win-win.
Shouldn’t: “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy
To read or not to read about the apocalypse while on vacation? That is the question. This Pulitzer winner is known as one of the greatest books of all time. But, you know, maybe the detailed descriptions of a charred, desolate American landscape doomed by some cataclysmic catastrophe might put a damper on your vacay mood.
Should: “Outlawed” by Anna North
Google the cover. It looks awesome. How can you go wrong with a book about a woman leaving the confines of 1800s married life to join an outlaw gang? It sounds awesome. The cover is awesome. Read it!
Shouldn’t: “Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri
It’s Dante’s Inferno. Just don’t. Enjoy your summer.
Should: “What Belongs to You” by Garth Greenwell
Okay, so I’m bad at picking happy books. Perhaps that says something about me. I’m not sure. But this is a great novel — it’s short, too, at just shy of 200 pages. That’s what makes it a great summer read. It’s a novel about finding love, maintaining it, and discovering sexual identity. It’s a beautiful story, but like life, it’s not always cheery.
Shouldn’t: “Ibsen’s Selected Plays” by Henrik Ibsen
Look, if you love old plays, then maybe it’s a perfect read. But most of us don’t think about the beach and remember “Peer Gynt.” So, maybe leave the reading heavy play at home and pick up something from the front of the bookstore. But you do you.
