Books I Want to Read this Summer!

Hello everybody and welcome back to another edition of the CW Torch! I normally don’t set monthly TBRs for myself, because I am definitely more of a mood reader. However, there are a couple of books I want to read in the upcoming months, so I thought it’d be fun to set a Summer Reading list. There are a few books I really want to get into this Summer, but it all depends on what mood I will be in. A few of these books I think will be perfect for the Summer, but there are some I kind of just want to read really soon! There is no specific order in which I want to read these books, so the list I am giving is kind of random. So, grab your Summer cocktails, sit by the pool, with your favorite Summer read, and let’s get into all the fabulous books I want to read this Summer. 

The White Queen (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels #2) by Phillipa Gregory Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: A series set amid the deadly feuds in England known as the Wars of the Roses. Brother turns on brother to win the ultimate prize in this dazzling account of the wars of the Plantagenets. The White Queen tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, a woman of extraordinary beauty and ambition, who secretly marries the newly crowned boy king. While Elizabeth rises to the demands of her exalted position and fights for success of her family. Her two sons become the central figures in a famous unsolved mystery that has confounded historians for centuries; the lost Princes in the Tower of London.  

Why I Want to Read in the Summer: I watched the Starz television adaption of this novel, last Summer, and thoroughly enjoyed it. There was something about this particular story that peaked my interest, and had me intrigued from beginning to end. I am not much of a Historical Fiction reader, or have been into watching many Historical Fiction television series. But, I immediately fell in love with this story, and I am now in the mood to finally read the book. I was really into the Battle of the House of York and House of Lancaster, that now I want to dive more deeply into this rivalry, and the setting of 1400s Royal England, just seems like the perfect fit for a Summer read. Also, there was this...

The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds #1) by Alexandra Bracken Genre: Dystopian Science-Fiction

Synopsis: When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to “Rehabilitation Camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse, frightening abilities they could not control. Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her— East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living. Why I Want to Read in the Summer: I have always been interested in this series since I discovered it on Booktube. You guys know how much I love Dystopian Science-Fiction novels, and this series has been at the top of my list for a while. Now, I really want to read it, especially because of the movie adaptation that is coming out in August.

The Darkest Minds Trailer

Strange the Dreamer by Lani Taylor Genre: Magical Realism Fantasy

Synopsis: The dream choose the the dreamer, not the other way around— and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mystic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever. Why I Want to Read in the Summer: I have been wanting to read from Lani Taylor for a while now, and I feel like Strange the Dreamer is the perfect book from her to start off with, especially for the Summer. I feel like the best books to read during the Summer are very atmospheric, magical realism, type of Fantasy books. Strange the Dreamer has been at the top of my reading list, mainly because of the setting. I don’t know a whole lot about this book, but the world sounds extremely vast and a bit confusing, which are books I absolutely love. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw Genre: Paranormal Fantasy

Synopsis: Welcome to the cursed town of Sparrow… Where, two centuries ago, three sisters were sentenced to death for witchery. Stones were tied to their ankles and they were drowned in the deep waters surrounding the town. Now, for a brief time each summer, the sisters return, stealing the bodies of three weak-hearted girls so that they may seek their revenge, luring boys into the harbor and pulling them under. Like many locals, seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But this year, on the eve of the sister’s return, a boy named Bo Carter arrives; unaware of the danger he has just stumbled into. Mistrust and lies spread quickly through the salty, rain-soaked streets. The townspeople turn against one another. Penny and Bo suspect each other of hiding secrets. And death comes swiftly to those who cannot resist the call of the sisters. But only Penny sees what others cannot. And she will be forced to choose: save Bo, or save herself. Why I Want to Read in the Summer: To me, paranormal witch stories, set in the Pacific Northwest, are the perfect books to read in the Summer. This book is not only set in the Summer, but it just sounds like a very Summery read. From the lore, to the witchcraft, to the curses, this book just sounds right up my ally. And it sounds so much like Hocus Pocus, that I am living for it! 

Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter #1) by Lana Popovic Genre: Paranormal/Magical Realism Fantasy

Synopsis:  All the women in Iris and Malina’s family have the unique magical ability to “gleam” to manipulate beauty. Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscope visions into glasswork, while Malina interprets moods as music. But their mother has strict rules to keep their gifts a secret, even in their secluded sea-side town. Iris and Malina are not allowed to share their magic with anyone, and above all, they are forbidden from falling in love. But when their mother is mysteriously attacked, the sisters will have to unearth the truth behind the quiet lives their mother built for them. They will discover a wicked curse that haunts their family line— but will they find that the very magic that bonds them together is destined to tear them apart forever? Why I Want to Read in the Summer: Once again, paranormal witch stories, set in seaside towns, added with a little touch of magical realism. Is the perfect Summer book, at least in my eyes. An Ember in the Ashes (Ember Quartet #1) Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis: Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free. Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear. Why I Want to Read in the Summer: So many booktubers have been rereading this series, for the upcoming release of the third installment of this series. However, I haven’t even read the first book, and since seeing these rereading Vlogs, it has climbed up to the top of my TBR list. This isn’t necessarily the perfect book to read in the Summer, but since the third book comes out in the Summer, it has been giving me more notice. I love this setting of a Romanesque inspired Political world, and I really want to see how that setting plays into the story. Since, the third book is coming out soon, hopefully I can marathon the first three books, to be prepared for the final installment. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon Genre: Contemporary

Synopsis: My disease is rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla. But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean, and wearing all black— black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster. Why I Want to Read in the Summer: Not only does the cover scream Summer, but I couldn’t write this list without talking about a contemporary. As you know, young adult contemporaries aren’t usually the type of books I reach for. However, when the movie adaptation for this book came out, I’ve been extremely interested in reading it. While the story, may not be your typical meet-cute, type of love story. It seems like there is depth and questionable actions to this contemporary novel, and those are the contemporaries I have been enjoying recently. I’ve also heard that part of this book is set in Hawaii, which is the perfect Summer setting.

Thank you all so much for reading, I wanted to try something new, and I hope you all enjoyed it! I’m hoping to read a lot of books over the Summer, and will let you know which books I actually end up reading for those Summer months. Who knows, my mood might change drastically, and I may not want to read any of these books. So, definitely check out my Monthly Wrap-Ups to stay updated on my reading! Hope you all have a wonderful Summer reading season! TTFN and Happy Reading, Chynna Williams @TheCWTorch