My Summer Reading List: The Bad And The Good

Summer is prime reading time. I’ve been busy with books lately, having read 37 of them this year. As to be expected, some of them were great, while some of them were not for me. I’ve compiled a list of some of the books I read this season; here’s what you can skip, and here’s what you’ll love.

1. Love: Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

There was something disturbing on every page of this book. That’s not a con, necessarily. Though sick and twisted, Lapvona had my full attention. I’ve read Moshfegh’s other books (Year of Rest and Relaxation, Eileen, Homesick for Another World, and Death in Her Hands), and I can safely say that Lapvona was my favorite among them. This book was so different from her typical work, but she didn’t deviate from her trademark writing style. The writing was clever and poignant; Moshfegh perfectly understood her characters and spent time exploring each one of them. I’ll be thinking about this book for a while.

2. Not For Me: Normal People by Sally Rooney

Truth be told, I don’t understand the hype surrounding this book. I’m sure that Rooney is a talented author, but her writing style was not for me. In my opinion, everything felt flat—especially the characters. I typically don’t mind when a book has no plot or resolution. Normal People was more episodic than plot-driven, which would have be fine if the writing or situations were more interesting. Author and Youtuber Dakota Warren’s review of the book perfectly summarizes mine. In her review, Dakota points out how Normal People romanticizes the idea of messy, borderline toxic love. The glorification of unstable, uncommunicative relationships didn’t sit well with me; but maybe there’s something about this book that I’m missing. 

3. Love: The Night Ship by Jess Kidd

I’m not sure how much I can say about this book, as it has yet to be released. All I can tell you is that I love The Night Ship. Just to preface, I haven’t finished this book yet. My opinion could change, though I doubt that it will. Jess Kidd is one of my favorite authors; her writing is witty, vibrant, and full of beautiful descriptions. The Night Ship features a cast of intriguing and dynamic characters, from sailors to sea monsters. While the book is slow-paced, you’ll never want to put it down. Kidd flawlessly blends historical fiction with low fantasy. 

4. Not For Me: Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

This book is deeply problematic. I don’t know if it was the author’s intention to make his protagonist unlikable and sexist, but it rubbed me the wrong way. The way the narrator describes women is troubling, to say the least. Every girl in this book is either a manic pixie dream girl or characterized solely by their looks (and chest). Male gaze aside, Norwegian Wood‘s rhetoric on mental health is also handled poorly. A lot of other reviews praise Norwegian Wood for normalizing mental illnesses, but to me, it felt like fetishizing. Murakami presents an inauthentic view of mental illnesses, treating them more like “quirks” that make you more interesting, more sad-girl-sexy. I can’t quite articulate what I mean, but all in all, Murakami did nothing to spread awareness on mental health—especially for a book that revolves around those themes. 

5. Love: Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder

Nightbitch is about a suburban mom who turns into a dog. If that description doesn’t make you want to read it, I don’t know what else will. This book is delightfully strange, but delivers great commentary on female rage and misogyny. Yoder’s animalistic portrayal of motherhood is one that I’ve never seen before, and I loved it. Every risk she took paid off. Though there were aspects of the story that were unclear, I think, for the most part, that the ambiguity worked. For a book so weird and fantastical, it makes sense that some things…don’t make sense. Also, Yoder’s writing is stellar. She balances quips with detailed (and at times, disturbing) descriptions. The more I think about this book, the more tempted I am to reread it. 

6. Love: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

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“It’s a very difficult era in which to be a person, just a real, actual person, instead of a collection of personality traits selected from an endless automat of characters. And if all of us are play-acting, there can be no such thing as a soul mate, because we don’t have genuine souls. It had gotten to the point where it seemed like nothing matters, because I’m not a real person and neither is anyone else. I would have done anything to feel real again.” (69) 

Is it bad that I’m still on Amy’s side? Not that she’s a good person, per se…just easier to sympathize with, compared to her husband. No one in this book was either likable or “good,” and that’s part of the reason why I liked it so much. Everyone sucks and everyone sort of gets what they deserve. Aside from the characters, Flynn’s writing is sharp, insightful, and often funny, and the plot was definitely captivating. My only critique is that some parts lagged a bit. Though this book could benefit from being a little shorter, it’s definitely a must read. 

7. Love: Sex and Rage by Eve Babitz

Sex and Rage is a book where not much happens; like I said before, those are a hit or a miss for me. Babitz’ gorgeous writing held my intrigue. I would love to pick apart her mind…how does she come up with these metaphors? Seriously, what’s her secret to being a genius? The main character is a bit chaotic, but that’s what makes her fun. 

There’s still time in the summer to expand your reading list. Stake out the perfect spot to enjoy your next book! Beaches are the best, but if your book is super immersive, you’ll be transported into the world of the story. 

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