Ranking the Books I Read This Summer

This summer, I was lucky enough to read some incredible and some not terrific books. In this article, I will rank and rate these books, while suggesting which ones to read yourself. All of these books were decent, and obviously this article is completely subjective and based on my opinion alone.

Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn

This page turner follows the story of a missing woman and the onslaught of accusations against her husband. The story transitions between two perspectives: Amy, the missing wife and Nick, the estranged husband. The story begins by telling the origin story of their relationship through Amy’s perspective and following Nick’s life in real time. Eventually, the timelines meet, revealing a shocking plot twist. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys thrillers. 9.5/10

Where the Crawdads Sing - Delila Owens

This book is a perfect combination of genres. Part coming of age story, part murder mystery and part love story, the book encapsulates the best parts of each genre to create this heart wrenching story of a young girl who learned to survive by herself in the poverty stricken marsh of rural North Carolina. As she falls in love with a local boy, she becomes wrapped up in an investigation for a dead local prodigy. The book is beautifully written and serves as a perfect read for anyone of any age. 9/10

Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

This queer retelling of the story of Achilles showcases the love story of Prince Achilles and Patroclus, a young boy banished from his kingdom. As Achilles is sent off to war to fight for a kidnapped princess, he grapples with his love for Patroclus, his morals and his reputation. The story is character driven and is sure to pull at the reader’s heartstrings. The representation of queer love in a prominent novel is neccesary and well done. This nontraditional coming of age novel is an essential read for any book lover. 8/10

The Maid - Nita Prose

“The Maid” is not as well executed as the previously listed murder mysteries but it serves its purpose as a heartwarming story with just the right amount of suspense and plot twists. After a socially aloof maid finds a dead body, she falls down the rabbit hole of a complicated drug scandal staged in a grand hotel. Nita Prose’s debut novel is perfect for reading while laying on the beach. The plot is straightforward and doesn’t require much effort to follow. While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this novel, it’s not the worst book I read this summer. 6/10

Survive the Night - Riley Sager

“Survive the Night'' is an even more textbook example of a “beach read.” As a college student reels from the gruesome murder of her best friend, she decides to leave campus, accepting a ride from a complete stranger. As the ride progresses, she begins to wonder wether her passenger is the reason for her friend’s horrific murder. The story spirals after a late plot twist and keeps the reader’s heart rate steadily high. Though the story is generic and similar to Sager’s other work, it is a decent read for thriller enthusiasts.

“Into the Wild” by John Krakauer

Admittedly, I would not have read this book unless it was required for my summer reading. The short novel dives into a history of adventurous young men who all met similar fates while exploring the open wilderness. The centerpiece of the story is a young man named Alex McCandless who disappears in the Alaskan wilderness. Through interviews with family and friends, the story paints a picture of McCandless’ troubled psyche and delves into the question: What makes a person want to live in the isolation of Alaska. While the book is well written, it was honestly very boring. The driving theme of “ignorance vs. arrogance” is repeated throughout the novel and eventually grows tiresome. I would not recommend this book to someone who isn’t interested in running off into the wild by themselves. 4/10

By Sawyer Sugarman