Recommending Summer Reads | Top 5 Wednesday

So I'm back doing a Top 5 Wednesday post. As you all know I used to do these all the time and absolutely LOVED taking part since the topics were always so diverse. Now, I don't know if I'll be posting one every week, but if I see a topic that I really love then I certainly will. Since the last time I posted about T5W there has been a major change and that is that Lainey no longer hosts it. As most would know, Lainey created Top 5 Wednesday but has decided to take a break from hosting T5W and the hosting job has been handed over to Sam over at Thoughts on Tomes

TOPIC: SUMMER READS

 

 

ALONG FOR THE RIDE BY SARAH DESSEN

Sarah Dessen doesn't seem to be as well known in the UK as she is in the US, but I was so happy I got persuaded to read Along for the Ride, it's a fantastic contemporary book that deals with real life issues. Not only that but the romance was so adorable.


MY LIFE NEXT DOOR BY HUNTLEY FITSPATRICK

Recently published in the UK, I decided to reread the book and it's just as good as the first time I read it. Sam and Jace are one of my favourite book couple of all time and I love the family orientation in this novel. My Life Next Door is dramatic as much as it is romantic and funny.


DID I MENTION I LOVE YOU? BY ESTELLE MASKAME

Step-sibling romance is certainly not something I'm comfortable with, however, Estelle just knows how to craft a well done YA book. It may help that she happens to be a teenager herself. What's great is that she captures everything so well and leaves you wanting more. And the best thing about this? It's a 3 book series, so always more Tyler.


NOWHERE BUT HERE BY KATIE MCGARRY

Nowhere but Here is basically a YA version of 'Sons of Anarchy' but in book form and with a hot romance to boot. I love the grittiness of this series and I can't wait for book 3 to be published next year.

 

 

LORALI BY LAURA DOCKRILL

 

Lorali is one of the most beautiful, enigmatic novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It's deep and haunting and a complete summer read. A boy finds a naked girl on the beach who may not seem so human.

 

 

 

 

What books would you recommend for summer reading?

Let me know in the comments!

Review: The Last Summer of Us by Maggie Harcourt

Title: The Last Summer of Us
Author: Maggie Harcourt
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Usbourne
Published: May 1st 2015
Page Number: 304
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Limpet, Steffan and Jared. Three best friends crammed into a clapped-out rust bucket of a car on a whirlwind road trip to forget their troubles and see out the end of the summer. But no matter how far they drive, they can’t escape the hidden secrets and slow-burning romance that could upset the balance of their friendship – perhaps forever.

REVIEW

The Last Summer of Us was one of the books I was extremely excited to read because the characters take a road trip around Wales, which I don't think anyone has ever written before. I also happen to live in Wales and while I usually prefer books set in the US, I can't deny that Maggie Harcourt didn't make me want to travel my homeland.

I felt everything these characters felt, I didn't see them as characters written onto a page I saw them as fully fleshed out people, the kind of people I grew up with. And that's something I wasn't expecting. Maggie Harcourt (who's also Welsh) did the Welshism's so well and despite it still being a super fun summer contemporary read the book also deals with heavy topics of death, alcoholism and grief. It's presented in a way that you feel so much for these characters. You're rooting for them in some way or another, and more than anything else I was rooting for their friendship because it's the type of friendship that you know will last a lifetime.

And you know what makes a book good? When you finished the book almost 9 weeks ago but its still very much present in your mind. When I see the book on my shelf, I find myself smiling and remember the journey all three characters went on. And I know for a fact that I will also be rereading this book when summer comes around because it's the type of book that can consume you. And you never know, I may also take my own road trip this year with my friends visiting the places Limpet, Steffan and Jared visited.

But honestly: if you're after a well written YA novel that's a super quick, fun read then this is it. But be prepared to get withdrawal symptoms.

Buy the book (Waterstones) | Buy the book (Amazon)

 

 

🎧: Coming Home by Rita Ora ft Sigma

Favourite Summer Covers | Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday was created by GingerReadsLainey

 

 

Second Chance Summer & Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

 

If sunbathing on decking and ice cream don't scream Summer, then I'd find you incredibly weird. The only thing more summery than those is the beach, which I happen to dislike. Both covers are absolutely beautiful, and I'm looking forward to reading them in the next 2/3 months!

 

 

 

I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

 

Do I really need to say anything? The cover is bright yellow and has a painting of the sun. How much brighter could it get?

 

 

 

The Last Summer of Us by Maggie Harcourt

 

This cover is easily one of my favourites of 2015. It's beautiful, and the tone is so perfect for a summer in Wales. I literally cannot wait to read this book soon, hopefully I can read it while I'm on a little road trip myself.

 

 

 

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

 

A guy kissing a girl on a bike in an open field? Perfect summery cover. The way it's been edited portrays it as a very happy summer book, but with that little touch of home comfort.

 

 

 

What are your favourite summer covers?

Let me know in the comments.