Summer Reading Recommendations

Stephen King once said, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” As someone who studied literature for the past four years at Cornell University, I would have to agree. To get ahead in your studies and prep for the SAT, ACT, and rigorous AP courses, reading should soon become your best friend. If you're not sure where to get started, let’s take a look at some significant pieces of literature you might want to check out this summer.

PathIvy’s Summer Reading Recs 

1. 1984 by George Orwell

George Orwell’s 1984 presents the readers with a totalitarian dystopian society, one where someone is always watching. If you like shows like Black Mirror and Westworld, then Orwell’s novel is the foundation behind stories like the ones mentioned. The story is littered with connections to modern-day, as it prompts readers to reevaluate power, media, and language.

2. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Published in 1958, Things Fall Apart follows the leader of a Nigerian village, Okonkwo, pre-colonialism and during their colonization. Tackling themes of colonialism, culture, and change, Achebe created a milestone in African literature, as the novel is now a cornerstone of African identity. 

3. Go Tell It On The Mountain by James Baldwin

A semi-autobiographical tale, Go Tell It On The Mountain revolves around the role of religion intertwined with coming-of-age. Although the novel itself is set through the course of one day and one night, Baldwin writes of an unforgettable 24 hours, using sex and violence as plot devices. With the main character being a 14 year-old boy, it contrasts most of the other novels on this list through this teenaged perspective. 

4. The Stranger by Albert Camus

Originally published in French, Camus’ The Stranger is an introduction to philosophy. What is life’s meaning? Is there a higher order? How can we make sense of life? Camus explores the answer to these questions throughout the book, in extremely absurd ways. 

5. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Similar to 1984, Atwood’s novel follows Offred, a ‘handmaid’ living in a dystopian society, one where the loss of female agency is highlighted. Crafted through themes of feminism, readers follow Offred as she attempts to navigate this society, resenting it at every turn. Highly praised by celebs like Kylie Jenner, The Handmaid’s Tale offers a perspective that can be easily linked to modern-day issues such as Roe v. Wade. 

6. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

If bugs make you squirm, then this book will have you wriggling the entire time. The Metamorphosis is a short story about a man who wakes up one day, to find out he has turned into a large cockroach. Being his family’s breadwinner, this is clearly not ideal, and the story revolves around this sudden transformation.

7. Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Macbeth is a play of paranoia and power, as the titular character allows a prophecy to run his life. Incorporating elements of the supernatural, Shakespeare tells a tragic tale of a man’s rise to kingdom. A quick read, being Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy, it is one of his most famous plays as well, with countless film adaptions. 

8. A Room Of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf 

Virginia Woolf’s A Room Of One’s Own is actually an extended essay containing Woolf’s thoughts on women’s ability to freely express themselves. A pillar in feminism, this book is a staple in literature written by women, for women. Given the historical context at the time, published in 1929, the novel lends an eye into the thoughts and sentiments at the time of women’s suffrage. 

9. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

A story of decadence, The Picture of Dorian Gray follows a beautiful man with an ugly secret. In order to enjoy all the luxuries of life, Dorian Gray does something nefarious in order to obtain this opportunity. Although the man himself may not seem to suffer, his portrait does instead. 

10. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

17-year old Holden Caulfield wants to be a catcher in the rye, someone that can save others. Plagued by the death of his younger sibling, the readers follow this teenaged ‘delinquent’ as he recalls his life in New York City, right after being expelled from his boarding school. Tackling feelings of angst, alienation, and superficiality, The Catcher in the Rye is the quintessential teen novel. 

Did any of these books catch your eye? Planning to read some to help prepare for school? If you want to take your academic preparation one step further, PathIvy can assist you. With us on your side, we can walk you step-by-step through the college admissions process, giving you the best chance possible at your dream college. Contact us today! 

Written by Victoria Harris, PathIvy Team