A trip to an exotic beach or national park sounds like a dream. But they don’t exactly cater to a college student’s budget. College students need a vacation from their snooze-worthy summer break at home or on campus. No need to fear; a book can transport you to all the places that you wish you could afford to visit this summer. College Magazine writers and editors put together a list of their favorite reads as a reminder that summer doesn’t need to be all about making money or boosting your resume. Take these last few weeks of summer break to relax (and breathe every once in a while) too.
Check out these narrative creations you actually will want to read—unlike your summer reading requirements.
1. Mistborn – The Final Empire By Brandon Sanderson
“Fans of sci-fi and high fantasy can’t get much better than Brandon Sanderson’s magnum opus—the Cosmere. The 36-book (and constantly expanding) multiverse thrills SFF fanatics and novices alike. Start your voyage with Mistborn – The Final Empire.” – Gabriel Seiglie, Florida International University, graduate student, Staff Writer
Price: $7.19
2. Slaughterhouse-Five By Kurt Vonnegut’s
“When you’re kickin’ it poolside this summer, keep it light and fun with Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five. A crazy collage of space aliens, fire bombings, life-threatening apathy and time travel to tickle your brain while you tan that tummy.” – Shelby Scott Fintak, Florida State University, senior, Staff Writer
Price: $5.89
3. Outliers: The Success Story By Malcolm Gladwells
“Live out a successful life without ever leaving the comfort of your bed this summer. Pick up a copy of Malcolm Gladwells Outliers: The Success Story, and enjoy your summer successfully.” – Brooke Miller, College of William & Mary, junior, Staff Writer
Price: $9.99
4. Norwegian Wood By Haruki Murakami
“Dive into something deeper than the deep end of your pool with Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood. Based in Tokyo during the late 1960s, this acclaimed novel transports readers into a new time and place (giving you a break from your sweaty summer job).” – Kelsey Llewellyn, College of William & Mary, senior, Staff Writer
Price: $10.20
5. Sweetbitter By Stephanie Danler
“While not all of us have the chance to summer in the Big Apple, we can at least pretend with Stephanie Danler’s Sweetbitter. Tess’s server gig is probably just like your own summer job, but with a little more workplace drama and a lot more drugs.” – Hilary Droke, University of Florida, junior, Editor
Price: $9.99
6. A Darker Shade of Magic By V.E. Schwab
“For those rainy summer days full of mystery, magic and cozy blankets, where better to turn to than a world full of multiple dimensions of London? We all need a bit of magic these days and A Darker Shade of Magic has come to deliver right at your fingertips.” – Lauren Roberts, University of Iowa, junior, Staff Writer
Price: $10.87
7. Uprooted By Naomi Novik
“Summer as a kid felt magical. But, as an adult, the stress of an internship or school makes the season stressful. Uprooted by Naomi Novik will reignite your sense of magic, while helping you learn the importance growth. Let the Wood serve as your enchanted escape from the world of adulting.” – Shannon Duggan, Florida State Unviersity, senior, Staff Writer
Price: $11.07
8. Slutever: Dispatches from a Sexually Autonomous Woman in a Post-Shame World By Karley Sciortino
“For those in the market for a modern Carrie Bradshaw, look no further. Slutever: Dispatches from a Sexually Autonomous Woman in a Post-Shame World is a titillating read that simultaneously manages to further the feminist debate about female sexual autonomy. Let Sciortino’s unfiltered honesty about her own sexual encounters inspire your sexiest summer yet.” – Mailinh McNicholas, George Washington University, senior, Staff Writer
Price: $13.64
9. Caraval By Stephanie Garber
Legendary By Stephanie Garber
“Step into the creative, beautiful and mystical world of Caraval. Follow Scarlett and Donatella as they race the clock to win the game. Your heart will be wildly out of your chest as you become completely immersed in the game of Caraval. And then once you are done reading this one, pick up the sequel and find out who the man behind the mask is and so many other secrets in Legendary.” – Morgan Robertson, UC Berkley, alumna, Staff Writer
Prices: Caravel– $9.34
Legendary– $12.13
10. The Devil in the White City: A Saga of Magic and Murder at the Fair that Changed America By Erik Larson
“True crime’s hottest novel is Devil in the White City. This book has everything. A con-man serial killer with a handlebar mustache. Chicago architecture history. A murder castle. Thomas Edison and Susan B Anthony cameos. Even more handlebar mustaches. Author Erik Larson grippingly spins the story of one of America’s first serial killers, H.H. Holmes’ and his reign of terror in Chicago against the backdrop of the city’s 1893 World Fair. With his prose-like development of the events, Larson makes this history lesson a long but worthy must read for the summer.” – Omonike Ajiwe, Temple University, sophomore, Staff Writer
Price: $8.99
11. Little Fires Everywhere By Celeste Ng
“You might have some war flashbacks to your time as a teen under your parents’ roof, but reliving your awkward sophomore year trying to impress your best friend’s older brother is a little easier the second time around in Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere. The book entangles almost every element of suburban life, including racially charged custody battles and teen pregnancy (no spoilers!), not just the pangs of first love. You might just realize things in your idyllic subdivision weren’t as quintessential as they’d always seemed.” – Kaleigh Howland, Indiana University, senior, Staff Writer
Price:$10.29
12. Sula By Toni Morrison
“Summer leaves you with a lot of time on your hands, and as welcome as that is, sometimes you just need to exercise your brain. If you want a challenging read that will mess with even the most emotionally stoic person, dive into Toni Morrison’s Sula. Take it to the beach with you and blame those tears on sweat and salt water. Step into a world of not one but two strong female characters you’ve waited for and allow Morrison’s commentary to wash over you as welcomingly as dipping into the ocean on a hot day.” – Becca Masch, Florida State University, junior, Editor
Price: $11.74
13. You Are a Badass By Jen Sincero
“You know the feeling you get when you’re out by the pool wearing your new, super cute bikini for the first time? You feel untouchable and extremely capable of anything, right? Now, imagine feeling that way all the time, no matter what you’re up to. In Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass, you’ll learn through Sincero’s personal stories, advice and ab-hurting comedy how to create a life that gives you that unstoppable new-bikini feeling 24/7. Step one is realizing that you’re a badass. Now, go out there and own it.”— Riel
Price: $8.99
14. The Bronze Horseman By Paullina Simons
“Looking for a hot and steamy romance to spice up your summer? Paullina Simons’ The Bronze Horseman offers a heart-wrenching and unique perspective on WWII and love. Following the young Tatiana as she grows up in Lenigrad, Russia during the communist regime, this love story is one of the most atmospheric yet. You feel the sickness, starvation and struggles of the fictional characters. When Tatiana meets Alexander, a mysterious officer of the Red Army, you feel the burning passion and desire as well. Whether looking for a beach read or something to entertain your summer, The Bronze Horseman promises to awaken a fire inside you never even knew you had.” – Lily Friedman, University of Iowa, junior, Staff Writer
Price: $12.19
15. The Lonely Hearts Hotel By Heather O’Neill
“Do you love the French language? Do you find it as seductive, beautiful and fascinating as I do? Set in the French-speaking Montreal, The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O’Neill follows two orphans born to perform. I picked up this novel knowing it involves sex, drugs, poverty and love while also set during Depression Era. Hopefully reading about these orphans suffering in Montreal’s cruel winters will take your mind off the summer heat.” – Kaitlyn Tang, UCLA, senior, Staff Writer
Price: $17
16. Reasons to Breathe By Rebecca Donovan
“One word to describe this book: breathtaking. Reasons to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan, takes you on a journey of love, loss, mistakes and triumph. Yes, you will need a box of tissues and some Xanax. In this series, you will experienced everything the main character goes through. So be prepared. This summer you will be taken to New England on a young woman journey of pain and hope. You can easily listen to it on Audible or purchase your own copy.” – Anede Siffort, University of Florida, senior, Staff Writer
Price: $25
