Summer means you finally have no more textbooks to slog through and enough time to read for pleasure. When deciding what to read, choose books that will keep your mind active, engage you, and perhaps teach you things you won’t learn in class. There are a few books in particular that meet those criteria and are perfect for your summer reading list.
- Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children’s Literature as an Adult
Return to simpler times over the summer by picking up Wild Things by Bruce Handy. This nonfiction book gives insights into all your favorite children’s stories, including the deeper lessons they have for readers and background information about the authors. You may end up searching your bookshelves for the classics it mentions while you’re home for the summer. - Things That Happened Before the Earthquake
Attending college is the ideal time to read some coming-of-age fiction. You should find you can relate to the main character in Things That Happened Before the Earthquake, even if many particulars are different from your own life. The story is set in the 90s and centers on an Italian girl who leaves her homeland behind for the LA suburbs when her parents need to relocate. It follows her life leading up to the 1994 earthquake — which changes everything. - Meet Me in the Bathroom: Rebirth and Rock and Roll in New York City 2001-2011
If you’re interested in the music scene at the start of the 21st century, there’s no better book to read than Meet Me in the Bathroom. Lizzy Goodman specifically explores the role New York had in this new era of rock music. The book features interviews from all sorts of people who were involved or saw events unfold — from musicians, managers, and music executives to journalists and photographers. - Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Learn about human history from the very beginning until the (likely) future by reading Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. Whatever your interests — science, philosophy, psychology, economics, or anthropology — this book has something for you. Find out how humans developed societies, laws, political systems, and much more, all of which are central to who we are today. - The Answers
For fiction that keeps you thinking and questioning, consider picking up The Answers by Catherine Lacey. The story is about a woman who is in desperate need of money for medical treatment — and willing to turn to almost anything to earn it. She responds to an online ad to become an “Emotional Girlfriend,” which turns out to be more complicated than she could have imagined. If the writing style resonates with you, this is likely to be a book you love.
Keep up your reading habits when you return to college in the fall by moving into better student housing. Peterborough students can find a new home at Severn Court. You’ll have your own fully-furnished room in a six-bedroom unit. You can choose to share the space with roommates of the same gender or have a gender-neutral suite. Contact us now to take advantage of our early bird pricing.
