Just because nearly everyone else is dusting off their old copies of “The Great Gatsby” to bring to the beach this summer, that doesn’t mean you have to. Sure, the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel is a classic, but the hype from television and film leads most people to only read what they can also watch, which excludes an enormous selection of wonderful novels, both classic and contemporary.
In the midst of recent blockbusters, don’t forget that there are heaps of great summer reads whose protagonists haven’t been played by Leonardo DiCaprio on the silver screen (yet). Here are a few suggestions for new novels to add to your summer reading list:
“The Glass Ocean” by Lori Baker is a fictional novel, set in the Victorian era about how “eighteen-year-old Carlotta recounts the lives of her parents—solitary glassmaker Leopoldo Dell’oro and beautiful, unreachable Clotilde Girard—and discovers in their loves and losses, their omissions and obsessions, the circumstances of her abandonment and the weight of her inheritance.” This debut novel by Baker has already received much critical acclaim, and will be available in stores on August 1st.
“Revenge Wears Prada” is a sequel to the wildly popular “The Devil Wears Prada” by Lauren Weisberger. In this novel, protagonist Andy teams up with her former coworker and nemesis Emily to create a high-fashion bridal magazine. In the midst of her editorial endeavors, Andy fears that her past will come back to haunt her. This book is a perfect fit for anyone who loves smart writing and a fashion-centric plot.
Another great summer read is “Visitation Street” by Ivy Pochoda. This mystery novel set in Brooklyn, NY is about how the neighborhood is devastated after a young girl goes missing. Its synopsis elaborates, “On a hot summer’s day in Brooklyn, two 15-year-old girls take a raft out on the bay, but only returns – an event that will have repercussions throughout the neighborhood.” This novel comes highly recommended, and will surely be a quick read to add to your list.
A couple of great books to read with younger children are “Lost Sloth,” by J. Otto Seibold, and “What Floats in a Moat?” written by Lynne Berry with illustrations by Matthew Cordell.
Check out this wonderful summer reading list from the Los Angeles Times for more suggestions for every reading level. Summer isn’t over yet, so grab your beach towel, one of these new novels and go soak up some sun!