Kassidy Wilkinson

As summer rolls around every year, I always struggle to find the perfect book to read. So, to help others like me, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite books from all my summers spent reading. Here are my top five favorite books: “Edenbrooke,” “Skyward,” “The False Prince”, “Ender’s Game” and “On the Fence.”

In the wise words of Phineas and Ferb, “there’s a hundred and four days of summer vacation, and school comes along just to end it. So, the annual problem for our generation is finding a good way to spend it.” While there’s not enough time during the summer to build roller coasters, find dodo birds, or fight mummies, there is enough time to read a book, which is pretty much the same thing.

As summer rolls around every year, I always struggle to find the perfect book to read. Some books are too boring, or too long, or they end terribly. A perfect book is a book that keeps me entertained for long hours on road trips, is full of exciting plot twists that I can talk about with my sisters, and has a bit of romance. So, to help others like me, I’ve compiled a list of my top five favorite books from all my summers spent reading.

1. “Edenbrooke” by Julianne Donaldson

Taking place in 1816, “Edenbrooke” is a proper romance that takes place in England. Hoping to escape her boring life in Bath, the protagonist of the book, Marianne Daventry, travels to Edenbrooke. During her journey to Edenbrooke, Marianne’s carriage is attacked by a highwayman. Seeking help inside an inn, Marianne runs into a very dashing, but arrogant man named Philip. After completing her journey to Edenbrook, Marianne discovers that the handsome Philip is the heir to Edenbrooke, and also the man her twin sister wants to marry.

“Edenbrooke” is one of my favorite novels because of the interactions between Marianne and Philip. Throughout the book, the once-arrogant Philip turns into a charming, witty gentleman who can’t stop himself from falling in love. Marianne matches Philip’s wit perfectly with her stash of endless teasing and sharp comebacks. “Edenbrooke” is the perfect summer book for anyone who loves a romance with a good mix of action and cute tropes.

2. “Skyward” by Brandon Sanderson

“Skyward” follows the story of a 17-year-old girl, Spensa, who is part of a group of shipwrecked humans that are stuck on the planet Detritus. Their population is under constant attack from aliens named the Krell. Spensa wants to become a pilot in the Defiant Defence Force. However, due to the actions of her dead father, who abandoned his flight during battle and was labelled a coward, Spensa is barred from joining flight school. 

Throughout the book, Spensa is constantly trying to prove that she is not a coward. It’s a good summer read because it’s very action-packed and Spensa is a very likeable character. The book is full of battles and flight training. “Skyward” is a good book for students who like “Top Gun” and underdog stories.

3. “The False Prince” by Jennifer A. Nielsen

“The False Prince” is a book full of suspense. It tells the story of an orphan boy named Sage who has a knack for getting in trouble. In a kingdom on the verge of war. To keep the country from war, a nobleman named Conner devises a plan to find an impersonator to claim the throne as the king’s long-lost son and use him as a puppet prince. Connor recruits four orphans whom he will train to be the pretend prince, Sage being one of them. Together, the four of them compete for the role of prince, knowing that they will die if they lose.

“The False Prince” is one of my favorite books because Sage is one of the most entertaining characters in any book I’ve ever read. He’s constantly beating others with snarky comebacks and sarcastic remarks. He’s the type of character who pretends to be dumb but then turns out to be the smartest man in the room. Full of sword fights and battles of wit, I highly recommend reading this book over the summer.

4. “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card

This classic book follows a young Ender Wiggin as he is trained to be an elite officer in the international military. The Earth is preparing for a war against an alien group called the Formics, and they need a genius who will lead their forces into battle and save them. Ender is supposed to be that genius. 

“Ender’s Game” is a story full of battle strategy and mental tests. Ender starts the book as a six-year-old boy who has to deal with bullies and his older brother, and eventually evolves into a commander. This is a great summer book for people who love reading about a character who outsmarts challenge after challenge and defies the odds. 

5. “On the Fence” by Kasie West

“On the Fence” is a clean romance book that follows the story of Charlie Reynolds. Charlie is a tomboy with three overprotective older brothers and was raised by a single dad. When it comes to being a girl, Charlie isn’t sure how to do it. She would rather be shooting basketball hoops or playing flag football. To earn money to pay back a speeding ticket, Charlie gets a job at a fashion store. In this strange new world of girly things, Charlie seeks late-night refuge in her backyard, talking about her problems with her brother’s best friend Braden. And, of course, before Charlie knows it, she’s falling in love with him.

“On the Fence” is perfect if you love the boy-next-door trope. Braden and Charlie have a lot of chemistry from the start due to having grown up with each other, which makes their interactions very cute and natural. Braden is a charming character who plays both the overprotective honorary brother and jealous boyfriend. This book is a good read for students who like simple, by-the-book romance novels.