Summer Reading

Can you believe that summer is here? Summer is a wonderful time to work on that tan (or, as is my case, accumulate more freckles), work around the house, raise money for next semester's college bill, and, of course do some summer reading!

I love summer vacation because I can finally read the books I want to read without being distracted by completing 18 credits worth of course work. As soon as finals week began in late April, I began compiling my summer reading list and got started on reading. 

All the books I have read in the month since returning home from college I happily recommend to you. I warn you that I've been on an adolescent literature kick, but I'm sure you'll enjoy them as much as I did.

May's Must-Reads

• A Swiftly Tilting Planet (L'Engle): This is the third book in L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time series. The book stretches the imagination as the reader travels with Charles Wallace through space and time. If you enjoy science fiction, this is a must read (of course, I recommend that you read the other novels in the series as well).
• The Throne of Fire (Riordan): If you don't know me very well, I should warn you that I have become quite obsessed with all three of Riordan's young adult series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Heroes of Olympus, and the Kane Chronicles. The Throne of Fire is Riordan's newest release and the second book in the Kane Chronicles. Before you pick up The Throne of Fire, make sure you read The Red Pyramid. Riordian uses these series to lay a foundation of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology for adolescent and mature readers alike. I warn you, these you may become addicted to reading, but don't worry, the second installment of the Heroes of Olympus is due to release in October.
• Fairest (Levine): Have you ever heard of Ella Enchanted (if you've only watched the movie, you are missing out on the majority of Ella's struggle with her curse)? Well, Fairest is another great retelling of a classic fairy tale (I won't tell you which one, you'll have to discover that for yourself). Levine does a wonderful job telling an old story in a new way. If you got a few hours, pick up Fairest and get lost in the beauty of music.
• And Then There Were None (Christie): Once known as Ten Little Indians this book is a fantastic thriller mystery (which isn't too surprising). Get wrapped up in the mystery--pick up the book at Barnes & Noble for around $13.
• The Phantom of the Opera (Leroux): Andrew Lloyd Webber did not do this classic mystery justice. Leroux proves his creative and deductive genius when he supposedly retells the story of Paris' opera phantom. To get a proper understanding of the book, don't skip the introduction or epilogue--the back story will blow your mind. You can follow Christine, Raoul, and the Phantom through the opera by downloading the book for free through websites like Project Gutenberg or by downloading it to your nookcolor (nook or kindle) for around $1.