A very intelligent man by the name of Stephen King once said, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
I have lived by these words for as long as I can remember thus resulting in a book collection too big for my tiny bookshelf. From these, I’ve obtained a number of favorites I will be rereading this summer. Reading might not be the first thing many of us imagine when we think of summer, but it can be so if you find yourself bored with nothing to do these coming months or are simply just looking for a good new read, here are 5 you’re sure to love.
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“The Catcher in the Rye” (1951) by J.D Salinger
“The Catcher in the Rye” is a book I fell in love with years ago and will always remain one of my favorites. It’s set sometime around the 1950s and is narrated by a young man named Holden Caulfield. He takes us on a journey as he tells the story of what happened to last Christmas, beginning from when he was kicked out of Prep School.
Holden is a character fond of profanity and has an attitude, but it’s impossible not to like him as he speaks of the places he’s been and peoples he’s met. From the outside, he’s an angsty teenager mad at everything, but only a teenager can truly understand the depth of his character. Holden’s story is so interesting and captivating you just want to know what happens next and before you know it the book will be over. For anyone who is not an avid reader and looking for something funny, but easy “The Catcher in the Rye” is a perfect choice.
“Fahrenheit 451″ (1953) by Ray Bradbury
Could you imagine a world without books? That’s exactly what “Fahrenheit 451″ does and it’s truly frightening. The book is set in an unspecified but distant future and follows the life of a fireman by the name of Guy Montag. Guy isn’t just a regular fireman though. In this near future, books are outlawed and fireman like Guy burn illegally owned books and the homes of their owners. In the beginning, we see Guy enjoying his job and taking pleasure in the riding of these books, but as the story goes on he questions his actions and the value of his profession.
“Fahrenheit 451″ is a book with a message that the author himself summed up by saying “You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” It’s a fascinating book but not an easy one for the faint-hearted as it describes a future that doesn’t seem too far from today.
“Wuthering Heights” (1847) by Emily Bronte
“Wuthering Heights” is a classic novel by Emily Bronte under the pseudonym “Ellis Bell.” The book can be summarized simply, though is anything but. It’s set in Yorkshire and tells the life story of a man named Heathcliff. It starts by introducing Mr. Lockwood who is forced to seek shelter in Wuthering Heights, his landlord, Heathcliff’s home. After a supernatural event that takes place at night, he asks the housekeeper, Ellen Dean, to tell him the story of the family who resided here before. Dean is established as the narrator as she begins the story of an orphaned Heathcliff, adopted into the Earnshaw family, and the love he shared with one Catherine Earnshaw.
“Wuthering Heights” written very differently from modern books and that can stand as an obstacle for some. Heathcliff is an outstanding character and he and Catherine’s love is a complicated one. The book is not only about love, but revenge, hate and much more. If you enjoy not so perfect romances and are willing to give a classic a try definitely start with this book.
“Diary Of An Oxygen Thief” (2006) by Anonymous
The intriguing thing about “Diary of an Oxygen Thief” is that no one knows who the author is. The book is heartbreaking but surprisingly reflecting. The narrative is an autobiography and relays the events of an Irish advertising executive from London to New York. It’s written in a diary format as the title suggests and is a detailed recollection of the narrator’s life of self-destruction, deception, emotional abuse and sometimes even self-discovery.
“Diary of an Oxygen Thief” is a book that will keep you on your toes. You want to hate the narrator, but somehow he’s relatable. The detailed writing alone is astonishing and capable of promoting some kind of reaction from the reader. I would recommend everyone, new readers, and veterans alike give this book a try because it truly is something different.
“Eleanor & Park” (2013) by Rainbow Rowell
“Eleanor & Park” is set in 1986 and follows the lives of, you guessed it… Eleanor and Park. This is a story of two star-crossed 16-year-olds who can be dubbed as smart misfits. Both teens are aware that first love never lasts, but they are brave enough to try and take us along on the ride. The book is narrated by both Eleanor and Park with conversational language that makes the reader understand more of what they are feeling and going through.
The plot is very realistic as it follows the heartbreaking relationship of Eleanor and Park along with the added troubles and stress of a not so perfect family, school, and just being a teenager in love for the first time. The book is achingly good and will have you reminiscing, but at the same time will have your heart breaking. “Eleanor & Park” is for everyone and it is and will forever remain universally relatable.