My Summer Reading Lists

 Introduction

As summer approaches, it's time to break out the summer reading list again. And so I'm making two lists: books I recommend and books I want to read. I'll give a short blurb on why it made the list, and odds on if I'll read it or not. With college not starting until September, I have plenty of time to read, and nothing beats sitting outside and reading a good book.

Books I Recommend:

Starting with my recommendations, I have 3 standalones and 2 series.

1. Unlocking the Last 20%: Rising to Greatness through Discipline, Balance, and Resiliency by Tucker Hamilton. My small group leader is the author's brother, so I was able to obtain a copy. It's a great book on leadership, unlocking your full potential, and is also a valuable resource for entrepreneurs, leaders, or anyone looking to become a better person.
2. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. This is a great one for those with kids. You can read it in chronological order or in publishing order. I'd recommend publishing order, as that starts you with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, which is the best in the series. A true classic.
3. The Lord of the Rings (and The Hobbit) by J.R.R. Tolkien. Great for middle school and high school, it basically created the modern fantasy genre. I'd read The Hobbit and then The Lord of the Rings, but you can decide which to start.
4. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I read this for AP Lit, and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. A great book on hubris and the dangers of obsession. The quintessential Romantic era novel.
5. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. The classic dystopian novel. A warning against censorship will constantly be relevant, and the redemption arc is incredible. I've read it three times and continue to learn from it.

Books I Want to Read

Since I have an extra two weeks of summer, I have 5 books I want to read. All of them are books I have not read before.

1. Truman by David McCullough. As a huge history nerd, I'm always wanting to learn more about U.S. presidents. Having read part of McCullough's John Adams, I know that this will be long and comprehensive. Odds of reading: 4/10.
2. With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa by Eugene Sledge. I watched a couple of episodes from HBO's miniseries The Pacific with the American Military History class, and this is one of the books that it's based on. It's been on my list for some time now, but I plan on reading it this summer. Odds of reading: 6/10.
3. Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. Again, I'm a history nerd and a military nerd, so this is right up my alley. While it is fiction, I love books about people who are willing to fight against tyranny. Odds of reading: 8/10.
4. The Warrior of the Altaii by Robert Jordan. Having read Jordan's Wheel of Time series several times, I love his writing style. This was the first novel he sent to be published, but it didn't get published until 2019, just over a decade after his passing. Odds of reading: 9/10.
5. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This is one that I've wanted to read for a long time now, but never got around to doing. My dad has a copy of it, so I don't have the excuse of the library not having it. Still, I'm hesitant for some reason. Odds of reading: 3/10.

Conclusion

So here are 19 books for summer reading. 14 I recommend, 5 I plan on reading. Let me know down in the comments: what books are on your reading list, and which ones do you think I should read?