Hello readers! I’m back from my little hiatus. I can’t believe it’s already mid-July! There’s something about summer that encourages me to read more. There’s nothing like sitting in a hammock or on the edge of a pool reading a book. And if I had to choose any book, I think I would go with one of these!
The Penderwicks — Jeanne Birdsall
The first book on our list is one of my favorite summer traditions: The Penderwicks. This middle-grade novel is the first book in a 5 book series and follows the four Penderwick sisters’ adventures in the beautiful estate they’re staying at for the summer. “A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy.”
Congo — Michael Chrichton
I’m reading this one currently, and it is so good!
“Deep in the darkest region of the Congo, a field expedition dies mysteriously and brutally in a matter of minutes…
“At the Houston-based Earth Resources Technology Services, Inc., a shocked supervisor watches a gruesome video transmission of that ill-fated team – and sees the grainy, moving image of a dark, blurred figure…
“In San Francisco, an extraordinary gorilla named Amy, who has a 620 “sign” vocabulary, may hold the secret to that fierce carnage. Immediately, a new expedition is sent to the Congo, descending into a world where the only way out may be through the grisliest death…”
Shark Bait — Cara Putman
I recently picked up this book at a thrift store and haven’t read it yet so I don’t feel confident in this recommendation, but I thought it sounded like a great summer read! This book is number 13 in the Martha’s Vineyard series, but from what I can guess, it looks like a standalone series so you shouldn’t need to read the other books.
“As the annual Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival is set to begin, Priscilla accompanies a group of islanders to receive delivery of one of the giant sharks used as a prop in the blockbuster hit Jaws. But when they arrive at the beach where the shark was to be delivered, it’s not there. Priscilla sets out to solve the mystery and find the shark.”
I’ll admit, this book didn’t have the greatest reviews on good reads, but I don’t believe in judging books based on their hype.
Twenty thousand leagues under the sea — Jules Verne
Another book I’ve gotten recently and haven’t had the chance to read… This book also has mixed reviews, but I skimmed it and found it really interesting.
“When an unidentified “monster” threatens international shipping, French oceanographer Pierre Aronnax and his unflappable assistant Conseil join an expedition organized by the US Navy to hunt down and destroy the menace. After months of fruitless searching, they finally grapple with their quarry, but Aronnax, Conseil, and the brash Canadian harpooner Ned Land are thrown overboard in the attack, only to find that the “monster” is actually a futuristic submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by a shadowy, mystical, preternaturally imposing man who calls himself Captain Nemo. Thus begins a journey of 20,000 leagues—nearly 50,000 miles—that will take Captain Nemo, his crew, and these three adventurers on a journey of discovery through undersea forests, coral graveyards, miles-deep trenches, and even the sunken ruins of Atlantis.”
Holes — Louis Sachar
“Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnats. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys’ detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the boys build character by spending all day, every day digging holes exactly five feet wide and five feet deep. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. But there are an awful lot of holes.
“It doesn’t take long for Stanley to realize there’s more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. But what could be buried under a dried-up lake? Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment—and redemption.”
Percy Jackson — Rick Riordan
“Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse – Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy’s mom finds out, she knows it’s time that he knew the truth about where he came from and that he go to the one place he’ll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena – Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.”
The Lord of the Rings — J.R.R. Tolkien
“One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
“In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven smiths, and Sauron, The Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages, it fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, as told in The Hobbit.
“In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.”
The Graveyard book — Neil Gaiman
First, I don’t own this book so I don’t have a picture to share. Second, I like reading creepy books in the summer.
This book is about a young boy, Nobody (Bod) Ownes, who lives in a graveyard and is raised by ghosts after his family is brutally murdered. It sounds strange but it’s really a wonderful book. I will never stop recommending it!
How is your summer so far? What’s your favorite summer read?
Thanks a bunch!
— Sarah
The Adventures of a Nerd. 