Sophia Walcher | Contributor
Whether it be days, months, or weeks since the end of summer, its memory still manages to cling to our minds. A sun perched high in the sky. Saltwater lingering in the humid air. Visions of laughter, of days gone by without the worry of class meetings or work deadlines. It comes all too slowly yet ends all too quickly, and when it does, most of us would do anything to get it back. Fortunately for readers, all it takes is a good book to go back to those summer days they are so desperately missing. New York Times Bestselling Author Morgan Matson has 3 summer contemporaries that do just the trick.
Since You’ve Been Gone
Is there anything more fun than a good old-fashioned to-do list? This book follows best friends Sloane and Emily, the latter of whom has just been deserted for the summer when Sloane unexpectedly disappears. What she leaves behind for Emily is a to-do list filled with cryptic mundane challenges like “Hug a Jamie” along with outlandish tasks like “Kiss a Stranger” and “Go Skinny Dipping.” Thinking it will lead her back to her friend, Emily resolves to accomplish everything on the list, coming out of her reserved shell and making friends along the way. The book is a lighthearted coming of age adventure and is perfect for anyone who sees themselves as a little bit of a wallflower.
The Unexpected Everything
Andie has the perfect summer internship planned out. Luckily for her, it happens to be hundreds of miles away from her emotionally detached father. But when a political scandal compromises both her father’s congressman seat and her internship, they are both left to share the summer together. Now Andie spends her time dog walking and trying to dodge her father’s presence any way she can. This story has a lot of heart and can be powerful for anyone who is living in a single parent working household. It also features a budding romance with a successful fantasy writer, which is something straight out of any fangirl’s dreams.
Save the Date
This book is great for anyone with a big family. It follows Charlie, the youngest out of 5 siblings, who is about to leave for college. If that change was not big enough, her family is also selling their childhood home. The plot centers around her sister Linnie’s wedding and the last big event they are having at the house as a family. As someone whose family sold their house right before I went to college, I related so much to Charlie’s yearning sense of nostalgia throughout the story. However, there is much more to enjoy about the story than the familial aspects. If you have ever been to or seen a wedding, then you would know just how much can go wrong. The book pokes fun at this by having almost everything fall apart right before the big day, which makes for a comical read!
Sophia Walcher is a third year studying Broadcast Journalism and Philosophy. She loves all genres of books but has recently gotten into mystery-thrillers. Whenever in Bowling Green you can most likely find her at Grounds for Thought either browsing the shelves or at a table playing Battleship. She’s always looking for a new book recommendation and can be reached at walches@bgsu.edu.
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