Hey Guys! Summer is only a couple of weeks away (can I hear a WOO-HOO!!), and that means that pool time is only a couple of weeks away as well! So, unless you’d prefer to read magazine articles on which One Direction member just got a new girlfriend, here’s a list of my all time favorite poolside reads:

1. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

Moribito has got to be one of my favorite books of all time. Featuring a fighter who kicks butt named Balsa who makes protecting others her career, Moribito has got everything you could want out of an Asian fight novel. The book is about Balsa protecting the Second Prince of the Kingdom from those who wish to assassinate him, just because he is the Moribito- the guardian who was chosen to protect and deliver the Water Spirit’s egg, with failure resulting in a hundred year drought. Romance is at 0.00001% (the closest we get is when one of Balsa’s friends tells the Prince that he likes her, but she never allowed herself to love), so this book is perfect for guys too! Unless you’re a guy who wants to read a romance novel. In which case this book wouldn’t be what you were looking for.

And check out this amazing cover:

 

2. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

When you’re looking for a good, guaranteed fun read,  a classic can sometimes be the best choice. And for reading next to the pool, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is just brainless enough that anyone can enjoy it, and yet has enough details to give the reader some substance. The Guide is a story about Arthur Dent (the last human), his old friend Ford Prefect (who isn’t exactly what he says he is), and a curious guide book to the entire universe entitled The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, with the words “DON’T PANIC” printed on the cover. With a myriad of curious and creative characters, the Guide is perfect for the wanderer-at-heart.

And for those of you who want to see it before you buy it, here’s the cover:

 

3. The Red Necklace

Obviously, you can’t have a list of summer novels without at least one romance novel, and for this blogger, that go-to romance is The Red Necklace. Set before and during the French Revolution, it tells of the love between a Marquis’s daughter (Sidonie de Villeduval) and a wandering gypsy boy (Yann Margoza), with just a hint of the supernatural. And like all good romance novels, this one features the perfect villain: Count Kalliovski (he even comes with a matching evil dog…and henchmen!). But the Count isn’t your everyday villain- no, he’s the devil incarnate. And it’s only through his love for his girl Sido that Yann is able to stand up, and face the demon.

And seriously, with names like Yann Margoza and Sidonie de Villeduval, how can you not absolutely adore them? Can I hear somebody say Yannie?

Here’s the book cover, for those of you interested:

 

4. The Magician’s Elephant

Written by Kate DiCamillo, The Magician’s Elephant is one of this blogger’s all-time favorite novels. A bittersweet story following the lives of a separated brother and sister, a magician, and an elephant, this story is perfect for that lazy summer day. DiCamillo, author of classics like The Tale of Desperaux and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, tells a story of misunderstood magic, and how what was a mistake, ends up bettering the lives of all involved. If you’re looking for a book to remind you of the child-like feelings you felt in your youth, then this is definitely the novel for you. (And, it’s short enough to finish in a single afternoon!)

A plus for this girl? The illustrations (drawn by Yoko Tanaka) are absolutely gorgeous.

Here’s an example (in the form of the book cover):

And, just because I felt like it, some of my favorite illustrations from the novel:

 

5. The Name of This Book is Secret

So, this is where I should tell you about this book, and summarize it, and explain to you exactly why I love it just so much, buuuutttttt….seeing as its title is a secret (implying that the entire book is secret as well), I’ll just leave it to you guys to realize it’s awesomeness.

…

Just kidding! Did you think I would really do that to you guys? The Name of This Book is Secret is a novel concerning the wild adventures of two kids, Cassandra (Cass) and Max-Ernest, in which they (1) discover a box belonging to a deceased magician named Pietro Bergamo, (2) have a nasty run-in with an evil couple seeking immortality, and (3) save a kidnapped classmate from said evil couple. Cool, right? Even if it is written for an age group that probably isn’t in high school, and is therefore written for a most likely younger audience than whoever is reading this, it is still a clever story, perfect for those hot summer days when your brain has melted and can no longer comprehend something as complicated as, say, Othello.

Here’s a picture of the cover (but remember-it’s a secret!)

 

6. A Wrinkle in Time

Yes, yes, I know. This list is long. And boring. And full of lots of words. But this is the last book, I swear. A Wrinkle in Time is one of the classics, and for good reason. The introductory book of a 5-book series, A Wrinkle in Time concerns Meg Murry, and her inter dimensional hunt for her father, with the assistance of her little brother Charles Wallace, crush Calvin O’Keefe, and three strange little ladies. And believe you me, even if the title is possibly one of the most science-y sounding titles ever, it’s the opposite of boring. My dad had to force me to read the books, and it was the best forced thing I’ve ever done! Seriously- read it. It’s the perfect story to spice up that plane ride to your summer vacation hot spot.

This a picture of the cover, for those of you interested:

 

So, that’s my list! If you want to take my advice, read them all. These are the books that you’ll want to re-read again and again!

Enjoy your summer, and enjoy your reading!

-Raelyn B.