Four Summer Books For the Fourth of July

       Happy Fourth of July, my fellow Americans. If you're reading this from any other country, Happy Tuesday! The Fourth of July is, for me, one of the days that feels the most like summer. There are barbecues, pool parties, and just time to spend with the people you care about. So, I've come up with a list of four different books set in summer so we can keep those summer vibes flowing!

A Book to Read With Your Best Friend:

Since You've Been Gone, by: Morgan Matson

       It was Sloane who yanked Emily out of her shell and made life 100% interesting. But right before what should have been the most epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. All she leaves behind is a to-do list.
       On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that Emily would normally never try. But what if they could bring her best friend back?
       Apple picking at night? Okay, easy enough.
       Dance until dawn? Sure. Why not?
       Kiss a stranger? Um... 
       Emily now has this unexpected summer, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected), to check 

things off Sloane's list. Who knows what she’ll find?
       Go skinny-dipping? Wait...what?

Click Here to Buy Since You've Been Gone

       I'm so glad I've gotten a chance to recommend this book because it's one of my all-time favorites! It's cute, fun, daring, and everything else you could want in a summer book. Morgan Matson does a wonderful job making you feel like you really know and relate to the characters that she creates.
​       This book is also perfect if you're looking for one to read with your best friend or book club. I actually read it with a few of my friends a couple of years ago, and we had so much fun with it! So if you're looking for a light summer read, this is the book for you!

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A Book To Satisfy Your Romance Needs:

My Life Next Door, by: Huntley Fitzpatrick

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."
       The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.
       As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something 

unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

Click Here to Buy My Life Next Door

       This book is another favorite of mine because it's cute, funny, but also tackles some real life issues, which really grounds the book in reality. But, even though it tackles some pretty real issues, there is still a ton of fun and lighthearted moments that really makes the book stand out to me. The characters are all so different, especially in Jase's family, they really keep you on your toes in both an action and dialogue aspect. Overall, check this book out for a great summer romance novel.

A Throwback Summer Read:

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,
by: Ann Brashares

       Carmen got the jeans at a thrift shop. They didn’t look all that great: they were worn, dirty, and speckled with bleach. On the night before she and her friends part for the summer, Carmen decides to toss them. But Tibby says they’re great. She'd love to have them. Lena and Bridget also think they’re fabulous. Lena decides that they should all try them on. Whoever they fit best will get them. Nobody knows why, but the pants fit everyone perfectly. Even Carmen (who never thinks she looks good in anything) thinks she looks good in the pants. Over a few bags of cheese puffs, they decide to 

form a sisterhood and take the vow of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants . . . the next morning, they say good-bye. And then the journey of the pants — and the most memorable summer of their lives — begins.

Click to Buy The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

       I read this book last year (because of a recommendation from my mom) and really enjoyed it. I know this book carries a lot of nostalgia with it for some people, and I could totally feel it in the story. However you are spending your summer, you will be able to relate to this book, probably in more than one way. If you want to read a little more in-depth on my thoughts about this book, be sure to read my full review.

Click Here to Read My Full Review

A Mysterious Summer Read:

We Were Liars, by: E. Lockhart

       A beautiful and distinguished family.
       A private island.
       A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
       A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
       A revolution. An accident. A secret.
       Lies upon lies.
       True love.
       The truth.
       We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. 

Lockhart. 
       Read it.
       And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

Click Here to Buy We Were Liars

       This book is an AMAZING summer mystery read. The only problem is that you have to go into this book knowing nothing about it. This book is so much better when you go into it completely blind. What I can tell you is that it kept me on the edge of my seat, and I just couldn't put it down. Otherwise, you have to just read it to know more.

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       Those are my four summer books for July Fourth. If you have read any of them, or are planning to, be sure to let me know in the comments along with any summer recommendations for me!

Happy Fourth!
Ashton

Every summer since I was little, I’ve gone to garage sales and bought all the books that looked interesting. So I always have something to read.

— John Green, Looking for Alaska