JNG

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings (1954) – 1216 pages

Ready to go on an adventure this summer? Buckle up and enjoy this epic ride! The Lord of the Rings has been a staple in the fantasy genre since its publication in 1954. The book is divided into three sections: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King and tells the story of Frodo Baggins who needs to destroy the ring of power in the dark and far away lands of Mordor. But the book is more than a mere fight between good and evil. It is also about friendship, tradition, and pulling through in the darkest of moments.

 

Donna Tartt, The Secret History (1992) – 559 pages

The Secret History has had a revival on TikTok lately. No wonder, because this mysterious novel starts off with a dead body and explores many topics like college life, social class, and the urge to fit in. With the classics, Latin and Greek, in the background, it twists, it turns, and as a reader you never know who you can really trust. This is a literary thriller that will grab your attention from beginning to end.

 

 

Anthony Doerr, Cloud Cuckoo Land (2021) – 621 pages

With this novel you don’t just get one story, you get four. One is set at 15th century Constantinople under siege, one is about a serious situation in a modern day library, and a third story is about a girl on a space ship with only a computer as companion. All three are connected by a fourth story: “Cloud Cuckoo Land”. This novel weaves and meanders plot lines to explore themes of hope, survival, and storytelling. It is a library in one book.

 

 

John Williams, Butcher’s Crossing (1960) – 272 pages

The shortest novel on my summer reads list but a wild adventure still. Butcher’s Crossing is about the American frontier where people hunt for the last buffalo. It is a Western and a celebration of nature before it all went down hill. Follow Will Andrews in making his dream come true to explore the frontier with all its trials and trebulations.

 

 

Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone (1868) – 528 pages [ download ]

The Moonstone is the literary detective on my summer reads list. The Moonstone is a precious jewel that gets stolen but by whom? Through the novel Collins drops hints who might have done it and why. Who will you suspect? It mixes Indian mystery with Sherlock Holmes investigations. However, it also discusses the position of women and English colonialism, all set in the English countryside. And as you read, you will find out there is more to discover than just one missing diamond.

 

 

MHA

Khaled Hosseini, And the Mountains Echoed (2012) – 421 pages

The choices our ancestors made influence the lives we have today. Their grief could have led to our joy and Khaled Hosseini allows us to explore a tale that crosses generations and spans continents. Healing, love, and family are at the forefront of this beautifully told story. It will stay with you for years to come and perhaps even influence the generations yet to come.

 

 

Oscar Wilde – The Picture of Dorian Gray (1888) – 288 pages [download]

A novel deemed scandalous when it was published, The Picture of Dorian Gray explores morality and vanity through gothic storytelling. Dorian’s sins age and corrupt his beauty, but not all is at it seems. Set in Victorian London, Wilde encourages you to question what matters most in life. After all, is eternal youth truly the only thing worth pursuing?

 

 

Donna Tartt – The Goldfinch (2013) – 771 pages

A painting, a newly orphaned boy, and an attack on a Metropolitan Museum. If you love art, this is a must on your summer reads list. Travel from Manhattan to Amsterdam, delving into the art world, the weight of trauma, and what it means to survive when life has been changed irrevocably.

 

 

 

Kate Atkinson – Life after Life  (2013) – 622 pages

Experiencing life again, again, and again. Different iterations every time, reincarnated to relive illnesses and war. Atkinson draws you in and although her world can be bleak, the story is intriguing, frustrating, and leaves you wanting to read more. All with a little wit sprinkled on top.

 

 

 

Charlotte Brontë – Villette (1853) – 573 pages [download]

Although this isn’t Brontë’s most popular work, I would dare to argue it is one of her best. Villette allows you to journey to France and experience life through the mind of a young woman. Brontë expertly explores young Lucy’s psyche, providing glimpses into the struggle of isolation, cultural differences, and gender roles. A lovely summer read to take your time with.