Hello again! The year is now coming to a close and things are getting busier than ever! This time I’ll be recommending some books to pass the time during the upcoming summer break.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (10/10)

• Set in the modern day, but taking an incredible journey through the past, this book is extraordinary. A story of how the past can change us, how love and survival can go hand in hand, and also how love is universal – no matter what kind and who it’s to.
• We follow journalist Monique Grant as she documents aging Hollywood darling Evelyn Hugo’s life, with her seven husbands along the way. As the story unfolds, we find that Grant and Hugo’s lives intersect in increasingly surprising ways – alongside a great, forbidden love Hugo has been hiding for years. 
• This story is both heartbreaking and needed, as it shows the damage Hollywood can do to those who were at its peak, including disguising parts of themselves to achieve greatness. I would definitely recommend this for those who like a mystery to solve and/or need something life-changing to read. 

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (10/10)

• A nonlinear story of love, loss, and inescapable challenges as young illusionists, Celia and Marco, attempt to survive amidst a life-binding duel and deadly game.
• We follow the two illusionists as they learn magic, love and create structures in the mysterious Night Circus. The story also incorporates a multitude of characters that everyone can love and/or relate to. As the circus gains popularity and travels more often across the globe, the stakes become higher and higher as the game must come to an end.
• This is definitely a bit of a hard read, especially for those who have trouble with nonlinear storylines, but it’s definitely worth its trouble! I’d recommend this for those who are fans of magical storylines and a story with a circular ending.

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez (9.5/10)

• A story surrounding love, magic, and loss as danger unfolds across 19th century Egypt. The first of an incredible duology, this book is an immersive and lush historical fiction that ties in magic and real-world history immaculately.
• We follow Inez Olivera as she stows herself away to Egypt to figure out the cause of her parents’ death. With the assistance of the broody and guarded Englishman Whit, she finds clues through Cleopatra’s artifacts and what’s left of her parents’ effects to a dark plot that snares them whole.
• I love this book! It’s very adventurous and full of snarky and romantic moments. It definitely has a good balance between magic and realism, which I greatly appreciated. I would recommend this to anyone who likes historic fiction and fantasy.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson (15/10)

• One of Holly Jackson’s well-written novels, this book is a harsh reminder that nobody is who they seem – even if they’re family.
• We follow Bel Price as her family is thrown into the depths of coverage for a true-crime documentary about her mother, Rachel. When Rachel returns home, Bel’s life is turned upside down. As Bel searches for the truth amidst the lies surrounding her mother’s disappearance, a shocking twist changes the game permanently.
• The book is very well-written, taking the reader through a tumultuous rollercoaster of emotions and questions as Bel and Rachel uncover the truth. Like all of Jackson’s books, I highly recommend it, especially for those who like true-crime documentaries, mystery, or cold cases in general.

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, with Patricia McCormick (10/10)

• The famous biography of the influential Malala Yousafzai, who almost sacrificed her life for the right to be educated.
• We follow Malala Yousafzai as she tells the story of her life, from before the Taliban’s rule to during it to her getting out of it. While many may distance Yousafzai from being an actual person, due to her being in the history books, she’s still working on making the world a better place. The autobiography is a real story of survival, danger, and fighting for what you believe in – even if it costs you your life.
• While this may be the shortest of all the recommendations this time around, it certainly isn’t less important. Yousafzai fought for – and is still fighting – for people’s right to be educated. I highly recommend it for those who want to know more about her, those looking to get into education, and, of course, those just looking for something to read! 

Thank you for reading, stay tuned for more recommendations and I hope you have a wonderful summer!