This is the time of the year when everything gets hectic. It’s freezing on campus. Students are swamped with midterms and are just trying to make it to Spring Break. The perfect break from the business of this time is curling up with a good book. All these books take place either in the summer or a tropical location, so use these recommendations as escapism for a warmer time or pack them as a thrilling read for Spring Break.
Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman
I read Before We Were Innocent on a trip this summer, and I could physically not put down this book. The story follows Bess as painful memories of her senior trip in Greece come back to haunt her 10 years later. Three friends – Bess, Joni and Evangeline – take a summer trip to Greece after their high school graduation. While there, the girls get into a major fight, and Evangeline tragically dies. The book flips between their time in Greece and the present as Bess reflects on this haunting event. While this book is a thriller, it also deals with the girls’ friendship and how that affects their memories of this event.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Carley Fortune’s romance novels are my favorite books for a good escape. Every Summer After takes place at a summer house in Canada, flipping between past and present, as main character Percy develops and reflects on her love for her childhood best friend Sam. This novel explores themes of friendship, love and forgiveness through the characters’ complex relationship. I really enjoyed that there was a “secret” that drove the plot that wasn’t revealed until the last couple of chapters of the novel. From early on in the book, this secret forces readers to question what made Sam and Percy disconnect for all those years.
The Counselors by Jessica Goodman
Nothing like a good summer mystery to keep you captivated as well as to give you a break from school work. Jessica Goodman is always reliable for an entertaining mystery and The Counselors is no exception. The novel takes place at a summer camp while a mysterious death keeps the counselors in an elaborate chase to discover what happened. I did not expect the ending at all, which always makes for an enjoyable read. The Counselors is entertaining and spooky.
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
This soulful book takes place across the world in Italy, India and Indonesia. Eat Pray Love is the perfect book for an escape to anywhere other than Bryn Mawr, PA. Travel the world with author Elizabeth Gilbert as she discovers herself and her purpose through this touching memoir.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A Taylor Jenkins Reid book can truly suit any situation. Transport to Malibu in 1983 as the Riva siblings plan and throw their annual summer party. This book takes place in 24 hours, making it fun to see how all the characters choose to spend the day. Fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will discover that the character Mick Riva appears in this novel as well. Malibu Rising will have you wishing you were part of this elaborate summer bash while uncovering the secrets of this fascinating family.
