With school out and the Memorial Day holiday (the unofficial start of summer) behind us, it’s safe to say, the summer months are now in full swing. With its arrival comes busy summer plans and activities as we try to make every minute of summer count. As part of that practice, why not make memories with a fun summer read? So, as plans are made for day trips and summer vacations, what books will you be reading?
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I find many readers and bloggers gravitate towards contemporary during the summer months. Why? I don’t have an answer for everybody else, but for me personally, I like contemporary because of its lighthearted reading. This is why I read it year round, and with exception to few subgenres or favorite authors, claim it as my favorite genre.
Below is a list of 10 YA contemporary reads you might want to consider adding to your packed bags. Or if you’re enjoying a staycation, there are some armchair adventures that will transport you. Some I have read and found darling. Some are merely on my bookshelf and in theory, I’d like to read them over the summer (or a few anyway). But life sometimes happens, so who knows. As we jump into the list, I’m again asking you for advice: Make sure to let me know which you’d recommend I read first.
10 YA Contemporary Reads Perfect for the Beach
(Alphabetical, by author)
#1 The Classic: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
I’ve not read this one, but I adore the film adaptations. For our 21st century millennials, this seems like it’d be appropriately pegged a “classic.” As a Sisterhood movie fan, do you recommend I read this?
#2 The Best Friends: City Love by Susane Colasanti
This isn’t one I’ve read. That said, the cover looks summer-like, and the story takes place over a summer as three best friends prepare to leave for college.
#3 The Time Traveler: Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon
Categorizing this one as a YA contemporary might be a stretch since a good portion takes place in the fantasy otherworld of Doon. Still, it’s about two present day teenagers who are magically sent to Doon. This novel kicks off a four book saga (book four releases September 2016) inspired by the classic, Brigadoon.
#4 The Rebel: Just One Summer by Nicole Deese, Tammy L. Gray, Amy Matayo and Jenny B. Jones
This is a kind of Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants updated. It’s about four best friends broke into four separate novellas. The only difference is we never “see” these four share page time. Nonetheless, it’s a delight full of unique voices and characters who stand out.
#5 The Coming-of-Age: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
It’s been forever since I first told myself trying one of Jenny Han’s novels was a must. Yet, here we are, a few years later, and I’ve not remedied that. Still, this novel looks like a lovely place to start. Plus, it has “summer” in its title. This is clearly a sign.
#6 The Literary: The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord
This one is a bit more emotional than I’d imagine or know some of these others to be. However, it’s still delightful in every possible way. Emery Lord has talent, plus there are some really fun literary references along with the fact that our leading lady, Paige is something of a book nerd.
#7 The Road-Trip: Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
This novel is perfect for those of you who enjoy road trips. This is my first (and still only) Matson novel, but I’m also anticipating her novel, The Unexpected Everything, which I recently ordered for myself. That cover art “screamed” (a) buy me and (b) summertime. Needless to say, who was I to argue with its demands?
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#8 The Armchair Traveler: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Love this novel. It took me forever and a day to finally read it, but once I did, I fell head over heels in love with it. The humor and fabulous characters made it worth all the wait. It stands to reason the follow-up companion novels Lola and the Boy Next Door and Isla and the Happily Ever After are equally as charming.
#9 The Quirky: Geek Girl by Holly Smale
Geek Girl has been on my to-be-read list for, what seems, forever. It’s originally a British published series that has been (slowly) imported to the US through HarperTeen. Perhaps this summer I will finally knock it off my ever-growing TBR.
#10 The New Adult: Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith
Technically, this one is categorized as YA, but it has a mature sense that cannot be ignored. Not to mention this would be the perfect novel to end your summer reading list with. It’s about a couple choosing whether or not to continue their relationship on the eve of their college lives beginning. Super easy read, and super cute.
Tell me, have you read any of these? What are some of the YA contemporary reads you recommend for summer reading? Comment down below with your thoughts. I’d love to chat with you.