I have a huge TBR pile this summer, which consists mostly of young adult paranormal/fantasy, or retellings of classic literature/fairy tales. That’s just how I roll…
Here’s my summer reading list.
The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler
About: Elyse, a talented singer, loses her voice after an accident, so she goes to a town by the seaside for a retreat. There, she finds romance with a charming playboy and tries to find her voice again.
Why? Because MERMAIDS. And because I find the theme of this book similar to my own novel–finding one’s inner voice. I’ll have to play The Little Mermaid soundtrack as I read this one. Which reminds me…I find it interesting that Elyse’s younger brother is named Sebastian. heehee
Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
About: Audrey suffers from Social Anxiety Disorder. She becomes friends with Linus, a boy who helps her on her journey to recovery.
Why? I found Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series very entertaining, so I’m excited that she’s writing contemporary YA. Also, I like books that talk about people with problems and disorders. Especially social anxiety…because although I haven’t experienced it to the extent that I can’t go outside, it’s often difficult for me to attend parties or social functions because of my fear of people. I’m looking forward to connect to Audrey and to cry with her as well.
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
About: This is a futuristic/cyborg series that retells fairy tales. The first, Cinder, is based on Cinderella and tells of a cyborg named Cinder who suffers at the hands of her stepmother. A deadly plague is killing off the population of Earth while another race, the lunars, watch and wait to strike.
Why? I love the idea of fairy tale reimaginings, especially when there’s sci-fi involved. While reading the first book, the story reminded me a little of Sailor Moon. Man, I was obsessed with that anime in middle school. So it goes without saying that this series intrigues me. I’m hoping to finish the other three books in the series–Scarlet, Cress, and Winter.
The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker
About: Elizabeth, a witch hunter, is accused of being a witch. When she’s sentenced to burn at the stake, Nicholas Perevil, a wizard, saves her. In return, she must save him from a deadly curse.
Why? I absolutely am a sucker for magic and all things fantasy. I also have always been intrigued by witch hunts and the whole Salem witch trials debacle. When the accuser becomes the accused…OMG…what a twist.
A History of Glitter and Blood by Hannah Moskowitz
About: War breaks out between the fairies and the gnomes. Beckan and her friends are fairies who must go into the gnome underworld in order to survive.
Why? FAIRIES!!!!! I think there are several themes I’d love to explore in this story–the justification of war, being torn between family loyalties and new friendships/love.
The Innocents by Francesca Segal
About: Adam and Rachel are part of a small Jewish community in London. They’re engaged to be married. However, when Rachel’s cousin comes to town, Adam finds himself drawn to her liberating nature.
Why? This is a retelling of Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence. I’m interested in the unfolding drama and in exploring the theme of mismatched love. Also, that the story is centered around the north London Jewish community is different from something I’d usually read, so I’m excited to learn more about the culture.
The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey
About: Set in the 1950s and ’60s, Gemma Hardy is taken in by her uncle and his family. When he dies, her aunt makes it clear that she’s unwelcome, so she goes to a private school. However, the school treats her like a servant…so when it goes bankrupt, she takes a job as an au pair on the Orkney Islands. There, she meets Mr. Sinclair and his eight-year-old niece.
Why? So…does the summary sound familiar? To fans of Jane Eyre, as I am, of course it does! I think this book is the one that makes me most excited to read on this list!
For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
About: A dystopian YA novel based on Jane Austen’s Persuasion, this story is about a genetic experiment gone wrong. A new class system has placed Luddites in power. Elliot North is a Luddite who is in charge of her father’s estate. She fell in love with a servant boy, Kai, years ago, but refused to run away with him. Now he’s back, and they might have a second chance at love if Elliot is willing to go against everything she was raised to believe in.
Why? Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel. There’s something about long lost love and a second chance at it that never fails to make me cry. Add a dash of sci-fi and a post-apocalyptic setting…I mean, come on! That’s the recipe for a delicious novel!
About: An unnamed main character tells of her experience as the new girl at Manderley Academy. Everyone can’t stop talking about Becca Normandy, a girl who went missing the previous year, and whose vacancy allowed the unnamed main character into the school. Becca’s ex-boyfriend, Max, complicates matters as he forms a romance with the main character. But memories of Becca remain.
Why? This is a retelling of Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier. The dark, gothic quality sounds chilling…just what I like.
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
About: Helen is not normal. She has nightmares of three women weeping tears of blood, and she has the desire to kill Lucas Delos, a handsome new boy at school.This is based on Greek mythology, more specifically Helen of Troy.
Why? Contemporary paranormal? Yes, please!
The Espressologist by Kristina Springer
About: A contemporary retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma. Jane Turner is a barista who believes a person’s coffee preference tells a lot about them. She records this in a notebook that she calls Espressology. Based on this, she starts matchmaking her friends on their coffee orders.
Why? Coffee and Jane Austen. A match made in heaven.
Untold Tales by a Whimsical Wallflower 