Recommendations #1

Summer Book and Music Recommendations

With the weather heating up and school letting out, summer is right around the corner. Today I’m going to share with you some books that will make a perfect read whether you’re sitting on the beach, riding in the car, or just taking it easy at home. AND, I am going to together some songs to sing along with any time of the day!

Books:

The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy by Jenny Han

“Belly has always lived for the summertime, because summer means all her favorite things: swimming, the beach, and the Fischer boys, Conrad and Jeremiah. For as long as she can remember, she’s shared her summers with the brothers at Cousins Beach. And for as long as she can remember, she’s been in love with Conrad. Then one summer it seems like he might have feelings for her too—but so does Jeremiah.

As the summer seasons pass, Belly has to choose between two brothers who love her…and she’ll have to break one of their hearts.”

I first read this series when I was in the 8^th or 9^th grade, and I fell in love with it. The beach house with the Fischer boys made the story hard to put down. With the hope of first love and the nights on the beach, it had me captivated by the end of the first chapter.

When Summer Ends by Jessica Penningtion

“Three months
Two changed fates
One chance to fall in love

Aiden Emerson is an all-star pitcher and the all-around golden boy of Riverton. Or at least he was, before he quit the team the last day of junior year without any explanation. How could he tell people he’s losing his vision at seventeen?

Straight-laced Olivia thought she had life all figured out. But when her dream internship falls apart, her estranged mother comes back into her life, and her longtime boyfriend ghosts her right before summer break, she starts to think fate has a weird sense of humor.

Each struggling to find a new direction, Aiden and Olivia decide to live summer by chance, letting coin flips, card pulls, and rock, paper, scissors make all the hard decisions. Every fleeting adventure and stolen kiss is as fragile as a coin flip in this heartfelt journey to love and self-discovery from the author of Love Songs & Other Lies.”

I was able to read an ARC of this story about these two teenagers living in a small town spending their summer working at canoe rental shop while figuring who they are and whether this budding relationship will be more than a summer fling. To see my review and playlist, click here.

Summer Days & Summer Nights edited by Stephanie Perkins

“Maybe it’s the long, lazy days, or maybe it’s the heat making everyone a little bit crazy. Whatever the reason, summer is the perfect time for love to bloom.

Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, written by twelve bestselling young adult writers and edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins, will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake. So set out your beach chair and grab your sunglasses. You have twelve reasons this summer to soak up the sun and fall in love.”

This book has a story for everyone with 12 different stories, there are a range of genres from contemporary to fantasy. Since these stories aren’t very long, it’s easy to read one of stories in one sitting!

Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols

“Two irresistible boys. One unforgettable summer. 

Lori can’t wait for her summer at the lake. She loves wakeboarding and hanging with her friends—including the two hotties next door. With the Vader brothers, she’s always been just one of the guys. Now that she’s turning sixteen, she wants to be seen as one of the girls, especially in the eyes of Sean, the older brother. But that’s not going to happen—not if the younger brother, Adam, can help it.

Lori plans to make Sean jealous by spending time with Adam. Adam has plans of his own for Lori. As the air heats up, so does this love triangle. Will Lori’s romantic summer melt into one hot mess?”

This doesn’t have anything to do with the actual story, but I started this book right after a chemistry test in the 10th grade, and I opened the first page and almost died because the first line of the book is “Sean smiled down at me, his light brown hair glinting golden in the sunlight…”. And guess who was sitting behind me, my crush at the time SHAWN. I was trying so hard not to laugh at that moment because in an alternate universe, that could be me.

Royals by Rachel Hawkins

“Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond. 

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself. ”

Overseas trips, royals, cute boys, and romance… need I say more?

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

“The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase’s family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.”

My Life Next Door is a sweet story that deals with family issues and life. This story also has a companion novel that follows two of the characters from this story of their journey in a complicated relationship.

Sarah Dessen

• Keeping the Moon
• What Happened to Goodbye
• That Summer
• This Lullaby
• Someone like You
• Lock and Key
• The Truth about Forever
• Just Listen
• Along for the Ride
• The Moon and More
• Dreamland
• Saint Anything
• Once and for All
• The Rest of the Story (available 6/4/19)

Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors of all time. She is able to write great stories that keep me coming back for more. Most of these stories have summery vibes and a few even take place around the water. These stories can be read in any order, but characters, locations, and certain events may make a cameo in later books!

Morgan Matson

• Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour
• Since You’ve Been Gone
• Second Chance Summer
• The Unexpected Everything
• Save the Date

Like Sarah, Morgan writes stories that are heartfelt and captivating. All of Morgan’s books take place during the summer with Easter eggs in some of the books! Some of these stories are more lighthearted than others, but all of them have their own story to tell covering topics like family death, moving cross-country, divorce, and learning that some things can’t be planned.

Jenn Bennett

• Alex, Approximately
• Starry Eyes
• Serious Moonlight (not a “summery” book)

Jenn is quickly becoming one of my favorite contemporary authors! She has the ability to draw you in with her story

Music:

• Permanent Vacation by 5SOS
• If I Can’t Have You by Shawn Mendes
• Summer on You by PRETTYMUCH
• Here’s to Never Growing Up by Avril Lavigne
• Live While We’re Young by One Direction
• Take This Home by Roadtrip
• Sometimes It Rains in L. A. by The Vamps
• I Want Crazy by Hunter Hayes
• House Party by Sam Hunt
• Youngblood Album by 5SOS
• Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
• No Roots (Cover) by 5SOS
• 21 by Hunter Hayes
• Why Don’t We by Austin Mahone
• I Don’t Belong in This Club by Why Don’t We ft. Macklemore

What are some of your favorite books that make you think of summer? What are some of your go-to summer songs? Let me know below!

P.s. don’t forget about the giveaway I’m hosting on my Twitter, it ends this Friday! (@BodifordLauren)

Happy reading until next time,