Summer Reading List 2017: The Best Adult Books to Bask in
As the sun beats down and the temperature soars, there's no better way to beat the heat than getting lost in a great book. This summer, we've scoured the literary scene to bring you the top adult books that'll transport you to new worlds, spark your imagination, and leave you eager for more. From thought-provoking fiction to engrossing non-fiction, our summer reading list 2017 has something for every reader.
Fiction
Get ready to escape into the world of fiction with these five compelling novels:
- The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead: A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that reimagines the history of the Underground Railroad as a literal network of secret tracks and tunnels.
- The Power by Naomi Alderman: A thought-provoking dystopian novel that explores a world where women suddenly develop the ability to release electrical jolts from their fingertips, allowing them to dominate and control society.
- The Marsh King's Daughter by Karen Dionne: A suspenseful and atmospheric novel that follows a young woman who was raised in the marshes of Michigan by her father, a skilled survivalist and thief.
- The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin: A sweeping family saga that explores the complex relationships and tensions within a family of four siblings.
- The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton: A magical and imaginative novel that weaves together the story of a family's secrets and tragedies over the course of several generations.
Non-Fiction
Ready to learn something new and fascinating? Our non-fiction picks will transport you to new worlds and broaden your horizons:
- Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond: A Pulitzer Prize-winning book that explores the lives of low-income families struggling to stay housed in Milwaukee.
- The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert: A thought-provoking book that examines the current mass extinction event caused by human activity.
- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson: A powerful and timely book that explores the American justice system and the urgent need for reform.
- The New Me by Halle Butler: A witty and incisive book that explores the challenges and absurdities of modern life.
Memoirs and Biographies
Want to learn about remarkable lives and experiences? Our picks for memoirs and biographies will inspire and captivate you:
- The Age of Light by Whitney Scharer: A fascinating and beautifully written biography of Lee Miller, a model, photographer, and muse to some of the most important artists of the 20th century.
- The Girl They Voted For by Lauren Groff: A collection of short stories that explores the lives and experiences of women who have made a significant impact on the world.
- A Natural History of the Senses by Diane Ackerman: A lyrical and enchanting book that explores the world of senses and our relationship with the natural world.
Classics
Need a dose of literary nostalgia? Our classic picks will transport you to another era:
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: A timeless classic that explores the Jazz Age and the corrupting influence of wealth.
- The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath: A haunting and deeply personal novel that explores the complexities of mental illness and identity.
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker: A powerful and poignant novel that explores the lives and experiences of African American women in the early 20th century.
Popular Authors
Looking for a new author to obsess over? Our picks for popular authors will introduce you to fresh and exciting voices:
- Jennifer Egan: A National Book Award-winning author who has published a range of innovative and genre-bending novels, including A Visit from the Goon Squad.
- Nathaniel Philbrick: A Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author who has written extensively on American history and culture.
- Liane Moriarty: A bestselling author of domestic dramas and mysteries that explore the complexities of modern life.
