Whether you’re going to camp, working or simply enjoying the sun this summer, the break from school and the nice weather bring a perfect opportunity for self-reflection. For anyone who’s been vowing to start journaling or to finally get a full night’s rest, our character-driven summer book recommendations are meant to encourage you to take a break from the stress and chaos of the school year and focus on yourself. From astronauts thousands of miles from Earth to a World War I veteran restoring a mural in a medieval church, each of the books’ protagonists finds themselves pondering identity, family and the passing of time. Not only do their thoughts and epiphanies make for captivating, heartfelt reads, but they’re also sure to make you reflect on your own life. And, if you’re going to be working on college application essays this summer (like us), hopefully the characters in these books offer a starting place for introspection.
“Song of Solomon” by Toni Morrison
Aptly described as a coming-of-age novel despite its main character being in his thirties for the bulk of the novel, “Song of Solomon” is a symbol-ridden exploration of success, family and identity. Milkman Dead was born to a wealthy family in his hometown of Mercy, Michigan. Milkman, whose father is a well-off landlord, spends the first decades of his life sheltered in his father’s shadow. His relationship with his childhood friend, Guitar, is the only thing that forces him out of his comfort zone. Yearning for independence, Milkman decides to embark on a journey for gold, which he believes is buried in his family’s old hometown in rural Pennsylvania. As Milkman’s quest takes him through the country and his family’s history, he begins to understand his own identity apart from his old comfort and wealth. Song of Solomon is often read in junior English classes, and Milkman’s story reminds us to cherish community as we experience our own coming-of-age.
“Martyr!” by Kaveh Akbar
It’s rare to find a book that’s simultaneously hilarious and devastating, and none may be as brilliant as Akbar’s “Martyr!” Newly sober and suicidal, 27-year-old Cyrus Shams decides to write a book about martyrs. His project takes him from Indiana to Brooklyn, where he speaks with a performance artist dying of cancer, whose final artwork is to speak with the public about her experience. Akbar weaves in the stories of the ‘martyrs’ that inspire Cyrus’s book, such as his mother and father. Throughout each perspective, “Martyr!” contains profound observations on the human condition, especially on how we attempt to understand death. As Cyrus uncovers his family history for his book, he also makes discoveries about his own life and aspirations. Arkbar’s nonlinear narration questions what makes our lives and deaths meaningful, and does so in simple, humorous prose.
“Orbital” by Samantha Harvey
Almost in a stream-of-consciousness, “Orbital” takes readers on a 24-hour journey to space, capturing the thoughts and reflections of six astronauts as they ponder their positions in space and time, their relationships, and their observations. Detailing seemingly the most foreign perspectives on this list, Harvey provides astonishing insights on philosophy and humanity. She examines the human spirit, like her astronauts, without the chaos and distractions of modern life. “Orbital” may not be a beach read, but it is the perfect addition to a relaxing summer, when you’ll have time to absorb and contemplate each of its characters’ discoveries.
“Parisian Days” by Banine
With only 260 reviews on Goodreads, the only reason we stumbled upon this memoir was that we happened to be perusing every inch of Brookline Booksmith one day. An Azerbaijani who was forced to relocate to Istanbul and marry at the age of 15 after the Russian Revolution, Banine recounts her experience moving to Paris in the 1920s in “Parisian Days.” There, free from her unwanted marriage and reunited with her family, she reflects on freedom and isolation, grows into her confidence and comes to terms with her cultural identity as an exile–all while watching her family’s once grand wealth dwindle. As she experiences love, a modelling career and Russian émigré nightlife, Banine offers insightful thoughts on selfhood and the understanding of human experience that may very well add depth and food for thought to your own summer reflections. Spend some of your warm evenings with the artists and writers Banine mingled with in the flourishing streets of Paris a century ago.
“A Month in the Country” by J. L. Carr
Searching for peace and meaning after his experience in World War I, protagonist Tom Birkin embarks on a summer job in a remote British town to restore a medieval church mural of the Apocalypse. This poetic and deeply moving story doesn’t even span more than 150 pages–still, its focus on character development and theme ensures that it leaves a mark in your mind. During the process of renewing the painting, Tom grapples with loss and nostalgia, but his time with art ultimately comforts him. Tom’s month in the picturesque countryside, surrounded by a community of sincere locals, allows him to emerge from the end of the summer hopeful. Reminiscent of John Singer Sargent’s painting “An Artist in his Studio,” this book is perfect for pensive literary fiction lovers.
