It’s summer which means time to finally read books that aren't assigned by my teachers! This summer I have so many anticipated reads and I’ve been trying to read as many of them as possible before going back to school in September. Here are a few of the books I have read or will be reading this summer!

Graphic Novels

Cheer up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier

I was lucky enough to receive an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book and I am so excited for it to come out! This graphic novel follows Annie, an anti-social lesbian, who is forced to join the cheer team her senior year and her old friend Beebee, a trans girl who is always trying to make everyone happy. Together on the team, their friendship begins again and this time they might be feeling something more. Heartfelt and sweet, this book made me smile wide. I loved it. Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms is out August 10th!

The Girl from the Sea by Molly Ostertag

A light summer read with beautiful art, The Girl from The Sea was so fun to read. Morgan has secrets: she can’t wait to move out, get away from her mom, her brother, and her friend and she’s gay. One night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl. As the girls grow closer their secrets will unveil themselves, whether they mean for them to or not. The Girl From The Sea is one of our summer reads and is currently 15% off!

Novels

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating has the plot of a Netflix rom-com and that is not a bad thing! Hani is popular and well liked. Ishu is her complete opposite. When Hani comes out to her friends as bisexual they don’t believe her so to prove them wrong she tells them she’s dating Ishu. One problem, she isn't. Hani and Ishu come to an agreement, pretend to date and they will both get what they want. For Hani, her friend's acceptance and for Ishu, popularity to win the role of head girl. But what if along the way they decide they want more? The book is so so sweet and will definitely have you smiling the entire time.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

This is one of my favourite books of the year and maybe of all time. These Violent Delights is technically a Romeo and Juliet retelling but it’s really so much more than that. Set in 1920s Shanghai, the book follows Roma and Juliet, heirs to rival gangs. When a strange virus starts attacking their city and both of their families, they choose to work together in secret. A perfect read for lovers of the “enemies to lovers” trope,  I will 100% be sneaking in a reread this summer!

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

Another book that happens like a Netflix rom-com. Saoirse doesn’t want to find love. Her mother has early onset dementia, which she could possibly inherit, so she'd much prefer to not fall in love only for it to all fall apart. But when she meets Ruby at a party, she feels herself wanting to break her own rules. Sweet and funny, you will be rooting for Saoirse and Ruby till the very end.

It Goes Like This by Miel Moreland

A middle school friendship turned into a worldwide sensation. A messy behind the scenes break-up. Moonlight Overthrow consists of Eva, Gina, Steph and Celeste, a band they formed in middle school that propelled them into worldwide fame. But as every good thing does, Moonlight Overthrow came to an end, a rather messy one. The four have barely spoken since the last day. When a storm hits their hometown, they decide to get together one last time. This book had me hooked from the start as I was right away invested in the characters and their friendships, it’s just so sweet.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

This is one of my most anticipated books of the year and I can't wait to pick it up!

Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

The latest installment in the beloved Grishaverse, Rule of Wolves is the sequel to King of Scars. The duology follows three characters that we have already met: Nikolai Lantsov, the king of Ravka, Zoya, a powerful squaller and member of the Grisha Triumvirate and Nina, heartrender of the beloved crows. The three take on the challenges that face Ravka and the Grisha. An anticipated sequel that I can’t wait to enjoy.

Non-fiction

Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth

Apple: Skin to the Core is a memoir in verse about Gansworth’s experience growing up indigenous in up-state New York. Telling us about stories of his family, his childhood and the lasting effects of government residential schools today through poems and photos. A powerful and beautiful read that I can’t recommend enough. 

Body Talk edited by Kelly Jensen

Body talk is a collection of stories about, well you guessed it, bodies. In it, 37 authors, actors, models, doctors, musicians all come together to share experiences or knowledge about their bodies, whether it's about illness or body image or sexuality. This book covers so many topics and I learned so much! I really enjoyed it.