Another month, another fresh start to check things off of your to-do {or read} list. July comes with a slew of free time + vacation time to enjoy, meaning that there’s no better moment than now to grab a good book, head to the beach, and get some summer reading done. This July, thanks to one of our contributors who is also the woman behind @HobokenBooksta, we’ve rounded up four books that can be found locally {think Little City Books, WORD Jersey City, Symposia Community Book Store, and more} that are definitely worth a read this month. Keep reading to discover four must-read books to read this summer.
Next Level Basic by Stassi Schroeder
Genre: Humor/Life
As huge fans of Vanderpump Rules and everything Bravo, we obviously pre-ordered Stassi’s book the second we heard about it. Stassi’s humor, wit, and personality shine through every page as she explores many aspects of everyday life. She even reveals many personal details behind many of her very public breakups, girl fights, and family drama. While readers can appreciate a juicy inside scoop, the best part about this book is the overall message. Stassi consistently advocates for the importance of embracing everything about yourself despite what society thinks, including those “basic b**ch” things we all consider guilty pleasures.
The best example of this is her unwavering commitment to #OOTD, or Outfit of the Day, which has become a huge part of her brand {not to mention she literally made it a national day on June 30th}. For many people, posting selfies on social media provides a creative outlet and allows for self-expression. Stassi encourages all of her fans + readers to be their best selves, not only through her words but through her actions also. Females supporting females is the real underlying theme of this summer read.
Read More: 4 Binge-Worthy Books to Read at the Beach {Found Locally}
Miracle Creek by Angie Kim
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
As Korean immigrants, Young and Pak Yoo dreamed of coming to America to provide a better life for their daughter. When they relocate to Virginia, they run the Miracle Submarine, a pressurized oxygen chamber. The Submarine is a medical treatment device designed to treat patients diagnosed with autism, brain injuries, and infertility. Unfortunately, the struggle to keep the business profitable becomes too much and the Yoos are in danger of losing everything. The dwindling hope that this new business would provide the financial security they so desperately need is the only thing keeping them afloat.
Just when things can’t get much worse, tragedy strikes in the form of an explosive fire that erupts in the Submarine, claiming the lives of two people. The mother of the deceased child is the primary suspect, accused of murdering her own son and her closest friend. As the trial goes on, more and more questions arise and remain unanswered. What kind of monster would set fire to an oxygen chamber with innocent, sick children inside? How far will the murderer go to keep his or her secret safe? What actually happened that day? This thrilling courtroom drama will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page as the shocking truth emerges.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Genre: Science Fiction
One minute Kirsten Raymonde is performing in a production of King Lear, the next minute she’s watching the iconic Hollywood star Arthur Leander have a heart attack on stage in front of everyone. Thus began a rather unfortunate series of events, as a deadly flu pandemic began to spread like wildfire through the city. Fast forward twenty years and Kirsten has acclimated to life in a post-apocalyptic society. She has found a home with a small group of actors and musicians known as the Traveling Symphony. As an aspiring actress in her youth, it feels only natural for Kirsten to hold onto this instrumental aspect of her past.
Dedicated to preserving the beauty of the arts, the Traveling Symphony showcases their talents as they travel through various communities. Everything changes when they come across St. Deborah by the Water, in search of their friends who separated from the group months before. The community is led by a violent and dangerous man known as the Prophet, who will do everything imaginable to prevent outsiders from breaking the spell he has over his followers. Alternating flashbacks from the past and scenes from the present reveal the missing puzzle pieces that eventually tie the whole story together. A haunting novel that will ensure the reader that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always beauty to be discovered.
See More: 6 Local {Hoboken + Jersey City} Authors + Books to Read in 2019
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
Genre: Domestic Fiction
Fareeda, Isra, and Deya come from three different generations of the same Palestinian-American family. Each woman shares her own unique experience about what it means to be a conservative Arab woman living in New York. Through the women’s personal struggles to establish and maintain their identities, the reader can’t help but admire the strength of each character.
When a note from a stranger mysteriously appears, Deya is confronted by her lack of knowledge about her family. As she starts to question things she has long accepted as facts, she begins to realize that her own family members cannot be trusted. The alternating narrative between the three women reveal many deep, dark secrets about the family that will force Deya to make a difficult decision that will alter the course of her life forever.
Which of these four reads are you most excited to pick up this summer? Let us know in the comments!
