A lot of people prefer movies over books because it is easier to understand a visual source, but books provide a lot of room to imagine different situations in a fictional world. I will be listing some of my favorite summer reads. The only rules are that these only consist of books I have read and that nothing will be spoiled.
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”- This coming-of-age novel follows a shy student, Charlie, starting his freshman year. However, he does not fit in with people his age, so he ends up having two seniors guide him through his freshman year. This book shows the changes that could occur in high school and is accurate when it comes to the emotional struggles of being a freshman. The story can be silly at specific times, but balances out with more serious events. Overall, the book is a fun read and will have you relating to the characters throughout the book.
“Unwind”- Set in a futuristic dystopian society, “Unwind” is an intriguing novel for young people to read. All the main characters have a ton of depth when it comes to personality. The action is easy to imagine, and it’s a colorful fictional novel. However, it has dark and serious moments that will make you question who the protagonist and antagonist are. Overall, I enjoy the book and I recommend it to any teenage bookworm who is looking for a good read.
Freshman Sarah Popper says, “‘Unwind’ was a very deep book and it has moments that make you cringe while at the same time being emotionally invested in the characters stories.”
“The Fault in Our Stars”- I know what you’re thinking, but no the movie is not the book. Sure, the movie was pretty close, and a good representation. However, the book is better. Basically, the book tells the sort of a teenage girl named Hazel Grace Lancaster who is diagnosed with cancer at 14. At 16, her mother tries to get her into a teenage cancer group so she can talk to people who can relate to her. At this group, she meets Augustus Waters, a unique teenage boy who fears oblivion and is only at the group to support his friend Isaac, who is undergoing major surgery due to cancer. This story will make you feel a thousand emotions in one sentence and I totally recommend it to people who enjoy reading sappy reads.
“The Outsiders”- “The Outsiders” was a 1967 novel by S. E. Hinton that tells a story of rival gangs the Greasers and the Socs (not pronounces “socks”, found out the hard way.) Throughout the book, the gangs fight and it leads to multiple chaotic events, but I’m not going to spoil anything.
“The Hunger Games”- I know this series is pretty hyped, but I cannot lie – the first two books in the series were well-written. However, the movies are kind of overhyped since they are not an accurate portrayal of the book. The first book describes the brutalities Katniss must face in her life and during the Hunger Games. It describes everything that happens in great depth, and I recommend picking it up if you see it in a store.
Freshman Amal Vafin said, “‘The Hunger Games’ is a spectacular book and it has changed the way I look at things in life. This book has taught me to appreciate things in my life.”
“Paper Towns”- Yes, another John Green book, but it is a whole different story about a teenage boy named Quentin Jacobson or “Q.” Quentin loves Margo Roth Spiegelman; however, he loves her from a distance. One night, Margo convinces Quentin to come along on her mission for revenge, but the next morning Margo becomes a mystery and Quentin starts to realize that Margo is not the girl he once knew. This coming-of-age mystery will have you on the edge of your seat until the end.
These are some books I’ve read that I believe may impact a teenager’s life in a positive way. They are all different, but the words inside will allow you to look at things from a new perspective.
What are some books that impacted your life?