Summer | Photo by Kayli Thompson | The Wright State Guardian
Now that the semester has officially started for Raiders, the tumultuous summer of 2020 has ended. But just because summer is over, that doesn’t mean you can’t experience it vicariously through books!
Below are some books from a variety of genres to read and remind you of summer.
"Beach Read," by Emily Henry
After her father’s death and a bad break up, January stays at her father’s beach house in Michigan where she writes her next romance book and encounters an old college acquaintance, who writes literary fiction. Because both feel like they’re in a writing rut, they agree to “swap genres,” and the first person to sell their book wins!
Though this may not be the most conventional “romance,” the cozy small-beach-town vibes and romance definitely make up for it. Part enemies-to-lovers, part second chance romance, this contemporary is sure to remind you of warm weather and adventure.
"Writers & Lovers," by Lily King
A literary fiction novel set in the summer of 1997 follows 31-year-old Casey after the death of her mother. She arrives in Massachusetts without a plan (except to write) and starts waitressing in a pricey restaurant. While she tries to finish the same novel that she's been working on for six years, she falls in love with two men at the same time: one a young, floundering artist like her, and the other being a well-established author a decade older than her.
This book talks not only about grief and relationships, but also the craft of writing and the way the art world interacts with artists. While this book is full of anxiety and the universal feeling of being out-of-place, the vibrant characters and engaging story will have you smiling by the end.
"American Hippo," by Sarah Gailey
This alternative historical fiction duology follows a past in which the United States imported hippopotamuses over to the Louisiana bayou for meat - something that Louisianna Congressmen had actually considered doing. Gailey took this outrageous “what-if” and created a dangerous, gritty world filled with feral hippos and bounty hunters.
As hippos are dangerous, when "feral" hippos are let loose in the bayou, we follow a small cast of characters as they go on an adventure to be rid of them. You’ll be able to feel the Southern heat roll off the pages and be transported into an alternate dimension where we could’ve seen “lake cow bacon” sold in grocery stores across the country.
"The Hating Game,” by Sally Thorne
This popular hate-to-love office romance has become a favorite to many, so if you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for? After two publishing companies merge, Lucy is forced to work in the same office with Josh - a cold, no-nonsense guy who totally clashes with her bright and bubbly demeanor. As they’re both assistants to their respective bosses, they work across from each other and have never-ending “games” to one-up each other. After an event that leaves Lucy questioning her hatred for Josh, the two grow closer and learn that maybe their first impressions of each other aren’t entirely true. This hilarious and sweet contemporary romance will be sure to make rereading it immediately impossible.
"How to Do Nothing," by Jenny Odell
Lastly, a nonfiction book to round-out this list. Odell’s book gives readers a passionate argument to avoid the "attention economy" that’s so prevalent in our society. Specifically, it highlights the necessity of making time for yourself separate from monetizing every single thing you do.
This book is especially important now when many articles were published during the start of quarantine pushing the idea to have a “side hustle,” and the fact that these sentiments neglected to factor in a for-profit mentality can be harmful. Instead of glorifying this “hustle culture,” we should keep in mind that there is inherent value in art for art’s sake, not just to make a buck out of it (even including Instagram posts or viral TikToks).
This short book gives much to chew on, and with so much happening in the world today, it’s good to remind yourself that it’s okay to do nothing.
