Summer is fast approaching, which means the end of another school year. However, just because school is out doesn’t mean you should stop reading. Books are an entertaining way to pass the time, especially if you don’t have internet access or your phone is busy charging. Here are my favorite books to read over a summer break.
Felidae by Akif Pirincci – Published in 1989, Felidae is a fictional murder mystery novel written by the German author Akif Pirincci. It follows a cat named Francis as he and his owner move into a new town. Francis soon discovers weird things happening around the neighborhood. There’s a cult in his house that prays to a god titled Claudandus. He meets a stray cat named Bluebeard and the two discover various murders of other cats around the town. The book was adapted into an animated movie in 1994, which can be watched for free on YouTube.
Animal Farm by George Orwell – A classical piece of literature, most people know of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Published in 1945, Animal Farm became infamous for its depictions of communism and anti-communist topics. Animal Farm follows the tale of a farm full of animals. The animals all mirror historical figures or demographics present during the communist rule under Stalin. The most notable examples of this would be the characters Napoleon, who represents Stalin, Snowball, who represents Leon Trotsky, Squealer, who represents the Russian media, Boxer, who represents the hard-working folk, and Benjamin, who represents the old, cynical people of Russia. The book was banned in certain American states rather quickly and had two movie adaptations: an animated film released in 1954 and a live-action film released in 1999. This is required reading for freshmen so you could get ahead, or read it for real this time.
Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland – This book is marketed for kids, but that doesn’t mean it lacks mature topics. Beneath all the talking dragons and basic plotlines, this book contains some genuinely mature moments. Wings of Fire is a series published by Scholastic and written by Tui T. Sutherland with a current total of 26 books. Of these, 15 are main series books and the rest are books meant to add to the main series. The first book of the series was published in 2015 and focused on a group of 5 main characters. The book, as one may guess, focuses on dragons. Humans are a simple afterthought in the book and are only included to be used as pets or a point of conflict. The series has a large fanbase of both teenagers and young adults. If you like fantasy and want an easy read, I would recommend this book. It’s full of interesting characters and gruesome moments that will keep readers of any age engaged.
With technology growing fast, the enjoyment of reading has dwindled for many people. Reading, though, is one of the best ways to pass time during a power outage or when your phone is charging. Next time you need to pass the time, maybe try one of these books!
