Summer Book Recommendations
If you happen to be running out of books to read, you're in luck
Hey, everyone! I should apologize for how ridiculously sporadic my posts have been lately. I don’t have a great excuse except that I’m still figuring out my process for drafting them, but I’m getting into something of a rhythm… hopefully… so we’ll see!
This week, I wanted to share some summer book recommendations! I know that summer is slowly drawing to an end, but I thought I’d share a few books in case anyone has run out of things to read… I sure haven’t, but there have been many previous years when I found myself desperate for new reading material.
Under the Lilacs by Louisa May Alcott
Content Rating: 5/5
Content Notes: All that I can remember is grief over a father, and maybe minor injuries? It’s been a while since I read this one.
Theme Rating: 5/5
Age Rating: 10+
Genre: Middle Grade Classic
Standalone
When I read this, I was expecting it to be more of a subpar L.M. Alcott novel(I had just finished Jack and Jill, which was an absolute treasure), but it surprised me, and by the time I finished, I didn’t want the story to end. I became very emotionally attached to the characters, and I absolutely adored them! It follows a runaway circus boy who finds a family. It’s full of sweet summertime-ish adventures and friendships, and I cannot recommend it enough!
Lost Girl by R.M. Archer
Content Rating: 5/5
Content Notes: A very light romance element and maybe some swordfights.
Theme Rating: 5/5
Age Rating: 10+
Genre: YA Fairytale/Classic Retelling/Reimagining
Standalone
This is a sweet short story that captures a bit of the wonder of Peter Pan and Neverland— and how there’s still wonder to find as we grow up. It follows Captain Hook’s granddaughter as she realizes she just might’ve fallen for Peter Pan… and soon she has a choice to make.
Six Cousins Series by Kelsey Bryant
Content Rating: 4.5/5
Content Notes: *SPOILERS* for book two: There is a character who struggles with an eating disorder, and she was going to take an emetic. She was caught by an adult who had a very serious discussion with her, and the main character was involved in all this. There are also mentions of a character dying in a car accident and characters struggling with grief years later. *END SPOILERS*
Theme Rating: 5/5
Age Rating: 12+ for both books(but book one I would say 10+)
Genre: YA Christian Contemporary
Duology
I absolutely love these books! First of all, the main characters are homeschooled, but secondly, they are full of literary references and beautiful faith themes. The first book is about six cousins(obviously) at a family reunion. Three are homeschooled, and three are public-schooled. The book follows as the six of them learn to get along to complete a quest their grandfather has laid out for them– which sets up the adventure they take in book two. Both are full of summertime-like adventures and settings.
The Four Kingdoms by Melanie Cellier
Content Rating: 5/5
Content Notes: These are fairytale retellings, so you have fairy godmothers and curses and all those little details, but all the “magic” is extremely fairytale-like. There’s also some fighting/violence in each book, but it’s pretty light and not gory. And then you have romance, which always sticks with some kissing and betrothals. (The duology is the exception to this– I would check content notes for those books, but they still stay very clean.)
Theme Rating: 5/5
Age Rating: 11+
Genre: YA Fairytale Retelling Romance
Series– 24 books
The Four Kingdoms series is actually made up of five different series, totaling twenty-four books, so if you’re looking for something to binge read, may I recommend these? Each book is a fairytale-retelling romance following a different couple. The first is a Princess and the Pea retelling that takes its own unique spin on the tale… and each series tends to follow interconnected conflict. While the books aren’t explicitly Christian, they include many Christian themes, especially about true love. In my opinion, these books have to be read during summer because they have to be binge-read, haha.
The Tethered World Chronicles by Heather L.L. FitzGerald
Content Rating: 5/5
Content Notes: There’s some fighting and cruel enemies, though nothing is graphic whatsoever. There’s also very light, clean romance, and grief interwoven throughout. Book four features some supernatural elements, but they are still portrayed as God’s gifts. The creatures within the world are said to have come from the Garden of Eden, though the author makes it clear this is speculation and nothing from the Bible. There are also characters/creatures said to have been descended from the Nephilim in Genesis.
Theme Rating: 5/5
Age Rating: 8-10+(depending on reading level)
Genre: YA Christian Fantasy
Series– 4 books
If I had to choose a single book series as my absolute favorite, it would be this one, without a second thought. I’ve grown up rereading this series over and over again, and it is absolutely amazing. It follows Sadie Larcen as she finds out her already out-of-the-ordinary family has some very abnormal ties to a world she never knew existed. She and her siblings must journey to this world to rescue her missing parents. By the end, one summer will change their entire lives. The series is full of amazing friendships, outstanding faith themes, and the lightest, sweetest romance. I cannot recommend this series enough!
Christy Miller by Robin Jones Gunn
Content Rating: 3.75/5
Content Notes: I would recommend checking out each book specifically, but this series does deal with a lot of hard topics, including eating disorders and teen pregnancy.(Completely ungraphic, however). There are also times when the main character struggles with obeying her parents. However, all of these things are dealt with in the light of Christ.
Theme Rating: 5/5
Age Rating: 14-15+
Genre: YA Christian Contemporary
Series– 12 books(plus several additional series)
This is a summery series that manages to be fun while also dealing with a ton of hard topics. It starts with fourteen-year-old Christy going to California to spend the summer with her aunt and uncle. She soon meets new friends who know Jesus in a way she’s never seen before. The series follows the rest of her high school years as she learns to truly follow Him, making forever friends and maybe falling in love along the way. Another fun thing about these books is that several more series follow her(and some of her friends) until she’s an adult with her own kids, so if you’re looking for a good, long series, I can definitely recommend this one!
Brothers Divided by Jaiden Phillips
Content Rating: 5/5
Content Notes: The main characters’ parents are divorced, which is a primary plot point. That’s honestly the only thing I can think of, though.
Theme Rating: 5/5
Age Rating: 9+
Genre: MG Christian Contemporary
Standalone
This last book on the list is one of the best. It’s technically middle grade, but I found it an enjoyable read for all ages. It follows identical twins Steffen and Ricardo as they are forced to spend time together for the first time in their lives. It has some great faith themes, and it’s such a fun read in general. This is definitely a fun one if you(like me) love The Parent Trap!
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you found at least one new book to try out! Does anyone else have any clean summer reading recs? Feel free to drop them in the comments!
Oh, my gosh! Jaidie will be so excited when I tell her!
Also, I love Under the Lilacs and that is a gorgeous copy! I want one! Lol….