Consuelo’s Summer Reading List

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The Passage by Justin Cronin

This is what summer reading is all about – an edge-of-your-seat adventure story. A government experiment gone wrong unleashes a bunch of vampiric monsters, and civilization is altered forever. This is no ordinary vampire story, though. Cronin’s inventive storytelling and human insights elevate this story above the rest of the genre. Just when you think you have the story figured out, he advances decades into the future to tell of the aftermath. The sequel is slated for an October release, so the summer will give you plenty of time to read it and get excited for the follow-up.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver/Divergent by Veronica Roth

Some of us are still in the dystopian zone, and I’ve waded through some pretty mediocre books to find these gems if you’re looking for a post-Hunger Games fix. Delirium is the story of Lena, who lives in a society where a “cure” for love is implemented on everybody on their 18th birthday, which they feel leads to a better, safe and predictable life. A life Lena has always looked forward to until shortly before her own 18th birthday – when she falls in love. It’s a very interesting concept to explore love as a disease, which let’s be honest, sometimes it feels like, and why it’s worth fighting for. Divergent is about Beatrice, who must choose between five factions which one she will be a part of for the rest of her life. A decision made more difficult when she finds out she doesn’t fit in any one group. Roth has created a really fascinating society in which each faction values certain traits above all others. Both books are fun, quick reads perfect for the poolside. Just make sure you put on extra sunblock because you might get sucked in longer than intended.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

By the way 50 Shades of Grey is flying off the shelf, I know y’all are in the mood for something sexy. Outlander is an epic story of newlywed Claire, who, in 1945 Britain, unknowingly steps through a time-traveling stone circle and into 1743 Scotland. She is thrown into dangerous adventures where she meets Jamie Fraser, a highlander she cannot resist. She’s torn between two times and two men. This books isn’t just for the ladies – my dad is the one who initially recommended it to me. It has enough time travel and history to balance the romance. But don’t worry, the juicy bits are there, too!

Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe

The summer is the perfect time to read that book you always mean to, but always end up getting distracted by something else. For me, that book is Look Homeward, Angel. It’s in my wheelhouse of early-twentieth century American literature, and somehow, I just now found myself picking it up. It is about Eugene Gant, a young man yearning to leave his small town and crazy family. It’s often described as a coming-of-age story, which it is, but it’s so much bigger in scope than that. I’m only about a third of the way through it, and I can already tell it’s a true literary masterpiece. You should read it as well, and then swing by the store and we can talk about it.