Summer Reading: Teen Book Recommendations

With summer days off from school, it’s the perfect time for students to unwind with a good book. Whether they want to dive into a serious series or just have a little light-hearted fun with a “guilty pleasure” book, Youth Advisory Board member Skyanne Fisher has a few recommendations. Most of these books are recent releases, and there’s one we can’t wait to get our hands on! What’s on your reading list? Tell us in the comments…

To contact a member of the Youth Advisory Board, email them at youthadvisoryboard @ ypulse.com, or simply leave a note in the comments.

Summer Reading: Teen Book Recommendations

Summer is often equated with long, endless days spent relaxing from a stressful school year with nothing to do. That may not always be true but summertime generally brings more downtime and that means time to read. Below are a few of the books that my friends and I are most excited to read (or reread) this summer.

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen. Sarah Dessen is known for her coming-of-age teen girl stories with characters and plots that keep readers rapidly turning pages until the very last. Her newest release, What Happened to Goodbye, follows McClean as she tries to find her true self after trying on different personalities in each town she’s lived in. Like Dessen’s other novels, it has depth without being an “issue” book and light moments that make it perfect for reading on the beach.

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater. Maggie Stiefvater captured the attention of many with this trilogy, beginning with Shiver, which follows the romance of a girl and her wolf-turned-boy. The entire trilogy is packed with emotion and makes for an unforgettable story. With the third and final book just released, summer is the perfect time to reread the series or pick up the first book!

Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott. Any of Elizabeth Scott’s novels, which are similar in theme to Dessen’s, make lovely summer reads. Her newest novel, Between Here and Forever, is the story of two sisters, one very much alive and functioning, the other in a coma. Enter a boy and some secrets and you have a book with substance and a lovely, summery cover.

City of the Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare. The fourth book in the “Mortal Instruments” series by Cassandra Clare arrived this spring and it’s a must-read for any fan of the series. The stakes are raised, the tension is higher, and the ending leaves the reader in shock. For those that have never read the series, now is the perfect time to try it out. It’s full of magic, romance, and adventure and will appeal to fantasy fans and non-fans alike.

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs. Forget vampires and werewolves. Mermaids are the perfect creature for summer. After all, they do live in the ocean and nothing screams summer like the beach. Tracy Deebs’ debut novel follows Tempest as she is forced to choose between staying human and giving in to her mermaid instincts. There’s a hot guy, some surfing, and a gorgeous setting, which makes it even better.

The A Circuit by Georgina Bloomberg and Catherine Hapka. Sometimes the best thing for summer reading is a “guilty pleasure” book — something light and fun that doesn’t require a ton of thinking. The A Circuit is just this sort of book. It follows four very different girls as they navigate the wealthy world of competitive horse showing. There are catfights, a mean girl, and some crazy teen behavior that make it a quick and fun read. Fans of series like “The A-List” and “Gossip Girl” will love this novel.

About Skyanne

Skyanne Fisher was the girl skipping school in fourth grade to stay home and write. Now in high school, Skyanne still spends most her time writing. She also reviews books and writes for her school paper. She’s obsessed with foreign cultures, loves cities, and can’t stand small towns. It’s her goal to be fluent in multiple languages and she hopes to major in writing at Columbia College Chicago. In the mean time, she spends her time daydreaming about the days when she’ll be traveling the world.