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T10T: My Favorite Summer Reads as a Teen

June 19, 2018

TTT-Big2

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly blog meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week’s prompt was Books to Read by the Pool/at the Beach, but I decided to give it a nostalgic twist. I’m 25 now, so these are going to be 10 of the summer-y reads that I loved about a decade ago!


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1. Just Listen & The Truth About Forever — Sarah Dessen
I couldn’t choose just one of these, but they were my favorite Sarah Dessen titles, and even now, I think Sarah’s books are perfect summer reads.

The Only Alien on the Planet
 

2. The Only Alien on the Planet — Kristen D. Randle
I know, I never shut up about this one, but seriously, this book has been a crucial component of my reading tastes for such a long time. It doesn’t take place in the summer or anything, but it’s a quick read (240pg), and I remember rereading it every summer.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
 

3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower — Stephen Chbosky
Another book that isn’t inherently summery, but I reread it every year.

Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle, #1)
 

4. Eragon — Christopher Paolini
Technically, I reread this all year long, all the time, but I had to include it because I first read it right after its release, which was in June of 2002, and I distinctly remember staying up all night on my grandmother’s screened-in porch, listening to the frogs and crickets in the woods behind her house, and I transport back there every time I think about that memory.

Twilight (Twilight, #1)
 

5. Twilight — Stephenie Meyer
I mean… how many of us who are now in our 20s and 30s didn’t read and/or reread this during our summer vacations?

The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1)

6. The Golden Compass — Philip Pullman
This is actually such a winter aesthetic book that I feel a little bit guilty including it, but the first time I read it was in the summer, and… okay, let’s be honest, half of this list is just waxing nostalgic over the books I reread a lot in my teens.

Speak

7. Speak — Laurie Halse Anderson
Again, waxing nostalgic here. I reread this one constantly, especially during my summer breaks.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

8. Harry Potter — J.K. Rowling
I know, in my soul, that if we all did this exact prompt, at least 85-90% of us would put this series on our teen summer reading list. 😛

The Nature of Jade

9. The Nature of Jade — Deb Caletti
This book was one of the first that I ever saw anxiety rep in, and it was before I even fully understood how my own anxiety worked – I just knew that something about this book resonated with something deep inside of me, and that made me love it so much. (Plus, the love interest lives in a houseboat, so… summer vibes?)

Sharing Sam

10. Sharing Sam — Katherine Applegate
This one takes place in a beach town and a lot of the story revolves around the beach and being in Florida, so it’s a perfect summer read, but it’s also hella short (160pg) and packs a punch, which makes it a fantastic poolside read. Just, uh… bring tissues.


What were some of your favorite summer reads as a teen
(or now, if you’re still a teen)?


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66 Comments

  • Reply Kay Wisteria June 19, 2018 at 12:06 am

    Harry Potter <3 planning to rerread he series this summer!!

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 1:15 am

      Ooooh, enjoy! I haven’t reread since before the 7th book came out. I should fix that soon!

  • Reply ChrissiReads June 19, 2018 at 12:31 am

    I love a nostalgic list! I used to enjoy reading Sweet Valley High! 🙂

  • Reply Annemieke June 19, 2018 at 2:09 am

    Yup on Twilight haha. I didn’t actually read a lot during my teens. I know! I missed out on so much.

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:22 pm

      Oh wow! At least you’re reading now, though, eh? 🙂 I took a break from 18ish to 22 where I didn’t read much, just the occasional horror/thriller or classic, maybe a book a month at the most. It seems strange to think about because I read at least 100+ books per year as a teen, and more than that as a preteen.

  • Reply Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books June 19, 2018 at 2:19 am

    I don’t remember what I was reading over the summer as a teen, but you’ve definitely got some good books here.
    Have a great week.

  • Reply tasya @ the literary huntress June 19, 2018 at 2:34 am

    I loveee The Truth About Forever, it was my first Sarah Dessen book and my favorite! <3 Sharing Sam and The Nature of Jade sounds old but I'd love to give it a try! <3

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:24 pm

      It was my first Dessen book, too!! It was actually my introduction to YA contemporary in general, back when it was still a pretty new release, I think. 😀 I’m happy you loved it, too! I’m not sure how strongly I *recommend* Sharing Sam or The Nature of Jade now, but man, those memories, bahaha

  • Reply Priyasha June 19, 2018 at 3:53 am

    Harry Potter is love ????

  • Reply Elen @ The Dragon Reader June 19, 2018 at 4:52 am

    I can definitely remember spending my summer holidays reading Harry Potter. I’m pretty sure that I read at least 75% of The Order of the Phoenix on the beach! And it’s been so long since I picked up Eragon! I might have to start a little reread of those because I really loved them when I was younger.

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:24 pm

      I’m rereading Eragon next month and can’t wait! My fiance and I do one buddy read per month and that’s what we picked for our July buddy read. He also hasn’t read it in ages and neither of us ever finished book 2 so we both want to finally finish out the series. 🙂 You should totally reread them, too!!

  • Reply Alexa June 19, 2018 at 6:24 am

    The Nature of Jade sounds like a great read, I added it to my TBR 😀

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:25 pm

      Aww, yay! I hope you like it. I don’t know how well it holds up but I do know that I reread the first few chapters of it last summer and it seemed like it was still a good read!

  • Reply ericarobyn June 19, 2018 at 6:44 am

    Fun list!! 🙂
    My TTT

  • Reply iloveheartlandx June 19, 2018 at 8:09 am

    I definitely had Harry Potter as a summer read as a teen, but I actually never read Twilight.
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/06/19/top-ten-tuesday-164/

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:26 pm

      Whaaaat, you missed the Twihard craze?! :O I don’t meet many people who can say that! Nothing wrong with it, of course ♥ That just surprised me, hehe! Thanks love, I’ll check yours out too!

      • Reply iloveheartlandx June 20, 2018 at 5:18 am

        Ha ha no worries it surprises most people, when you say you read YA but haven’t read Twilight you get some strange looks! My sister was super into them, as was my mum actually, but they never really appealed to me!

        • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 22, 2018 at 10:47 pm

          Haha that’s understandable! I actually got so sucked into the Twilight hate after I was disappointed by the series finale, I didn’t touch a single paranormal romance read until… dang, last year, I guess?! Now I want to go back and catch up on some of the series from the last however many years that sound good. 🙂

          • iloveheartlandx June 23, 2018 at 8:27 am

            Well I’m glad you finally got back into it!

  • Reply Victoria @ Rocky Reads June 19, 2018 at 9:33 am

    I totally agree – Sarah Dessen novels are the perfect summer read. I actually mentioned in my TTT that I had almost had a whole list of Sarah Dessen books haha! Excellent list 🙂
    My TTT: https://rockyreads.wordpress.com/2018/06/19/top-ten-tuesday-12/

  • Reply Tammy June 19, 2018 at 9:45 am

    Big YES to Twilight! Although I wasn’t a teen when I read it?

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:29 pm

      Do you still enjoy the series? I’m rereading book 1 next month and I’m looking forward to it haha. I haven’t in so long

  • Reply Laura Beth June 19, 2018 at 9:49 am

    The only book on your list that I haven’t read is The Nature of Jade. And, as someone with GAD, I think I need to read it ASAP.
    During my summers, I loved all of Sarah Dessen’s books. I also devoured Sharing Sam within a day or two. And Perks of Being a Wallflower is such a good book. Harry Potter was an absolute staple, especially when the new books were released. I also read the Baby-Sitters Club, Baby-Sitters Little Sister, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Caroline B. Cooney, and a little bit of SVH.

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:30 pm

      DUDE, I have never met anyone who had read Sharing Sam!! I just freaked out a little haha. Did it crush you? I remember just sobbing over it. I think it was the first YA contemporary I read that “went there” with death and illness.
      Oh man, you’re sending me on such a trip down nostalgia lane talking about The Babysitters Club… I definitely remember loving those a lot, too! And a little bit of SVH here as well. I was never a big fan of Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys, but I do remember reading a few of them!

  • Reply TeaPartyPrincess June 19, 2018 at 10:04 am

    Ooh I love this!
    As a teen I was reading all of the Sarra Manning, ever. She was my YA Queen and her books stand the test of time because over 10 years later and I still reread them 🙂
    Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:31 pm

      Thanks, Cora! You know, I knew the name sounded familiar but I had to look Sarra up to remember what she had written. I don’t know if I’ve read anything by her, but once I saw the book covers, I definitely remember seeing at least one or two of them on Goodreads! I love that you’re still able to enjoy them – that’s when you KNOW an author is good!

  • Reply Aymee (@asphaltcowgrrl) June 19, 2018 at 10:41 am

    Harry Potter is definitely a great summer read! I still want to read Perks of Being a Wallflower though.
    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:32 pm

      I always feel so torn when I find out that someone hasn’t read Perks! On the one hand, I love it, so I naturally want to recommend others to pick it up, but on the other hand, it’s the kind of book that I’m not sure I would enjoy as much now as I did then, if that makes sense? If you do read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

  • Reply avidreaderdiary June 19, 2018 at 11:11 am

    OMG this post made me miss Twilight and Perks of Being a Wallflower very much!
    Here’s my first ever TTT – https://goo.gl/CA2xZw

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:32 pm

      Haha aww, you should do a reread of them! And congrats on your first ever TTT, I’ll check it out!

      • Reply avidreaderdiary June 20, 2018 at 8:54 am

        I would if only my friend would return my copy of Twilight (that was almost 5 years ago so I’m not expecting anymore) haha

        • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 22, 2018 at 10:48 pm

          Bahahah omg, no, probably no point in holding out hope at this point. I loaned my Twilight books to a friend back in the day and she completely destroyed the first 2 books. I actually put my foot down and insisted that she replace them because I was so mad about it.

  • Reply Loretta @ The Laughing Listener June 19, 2018 at 11:37 am

    Oh my god, this list is me. I STILL have a weakness for Sarah Dessen books because teen me loved them so much. And OF COURSE Twilight and Harry Potter! ?

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:33 pm

      Yessss! I keep swearing that I’m going to reread her entire bibliography one summer, and catch up on the ones I’ve missed (I haven’t read her last 2 releases, though I preordered both of them – go figure…).

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:33 pm

      (Sarah Dessen, I mean – I realized right after I hit send that I’d forgotten to specify whose bibliography I meant lol!)

      • Reply Loretta @ The Laughing Listener June 20, 2018 at 3:19 pm

        I need to do that too! I actually just reread This Lullaby, which is one of my favorites and was very stressed it would be ruined after so long. Middle school me had different taste in books. ? But it’s still so cute! I want to read her others now too!!

        • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 22, 2018 at 10:49 pm

          Awww, yess! Yeah, when I reread Just Listen last summer, I was SO worried. But it was still a 5-star read after all these years. ♥

  • Reply Christina T. June 19, 2018 at 11:41 am

    I was unfortunate to have found both Twilight and Harry Potter in my older years. I love them just as much as my daughter though. And yes, I re-read them. Even with all the heat that Twilight has gotten. I think its a fantastic story!
    Fabulous list!

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:34 pm

      Awww, that’s amazing though, that you still are able to enjoy them even without the nostalgia factor! Sometimes I worry about books that I’ve loved a long time and wonder if it’s just because of the memories, so it makes me happy to read this comment. ♥ And thank you! 😀

  • Reply nicolinesimone June 19, 2018 at 11:51 am

    Love your list! Harry Potter, Twilight are books I too have reread many times. A book I haven’t read but will read this year is Speak.

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:34 pm

      Thank you so much! Oh man – are you reading Speak as the original or the graphic novel? I’m only curious because both are EXCELLENT. I adore the new graphic novel rendition of it!

      • Reply nicolinesimone June 19, 2018 at 5:42 pm

        I plan on reading the graphic novel. Or should I read the original?

        • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 6:52 pm

          I honestly would go with the graphic novel – it gets the point across just as well, in my opinion!

          • nicolinesimone June 20, 2018 at 6:37 am

            Okay then I am definitely gonna read the graphic novel. Thanks!

  • Reply Ally Writes Things June 19, 2018 at 12:14 pm

    The Truth About Forever is one of my favourite summer books too! It’s just so perfect for aummer

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:35 pm

      Yessss, it totally is! That’s literally the very first book that came to my mind when I thought of doing this post!

  • Reply Lin June 19, 2018 at 1:58 pm

    I read the Golden Compass in the Summer too! Summer is a season of nostalgia. This list is great! Happy Summer Reading to you! 😀

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:35 pm

      Haha it really is! You described it perfectly! Summer is definitely a nostalgic time for me, and I guess a lot of people! 😀 Thank you, love, and happy reading!

  • Reply RedRocketPanda June 19, 2018 at 3:49 pm

    Sarah Dessen <3 <3

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 19, 2018 at 4:36 pm

      She’s honestly so talented. I know she comes under fire sometimes because people think she’s boring or whatever, but I love her and I genuinely do not believe the YA contemporary genre would be half as popular as it is today without her influences in the 90s and 2000s. I could rant forever, lmao.

  • Reply bathandbooks June 19, 2018 at 6:46 pm

    There’s something about Perks that just makes it so summery haha! I had it on my list too, but I couldn’t put my finger on why

  • Reply the (book) supplier June 19, 2018 at 11:30 pm

    Such a great take on the prompt! Now I’m feeling all nostalgic.
    Happy reading!
    eli @ the (book) supplier
    My TTT

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  • Reply Brooke Lorren (@Brookelorren) June 22, 2018 at 9:49 pm

    I remember liking the Anne of Green Gables series. By reading the comments I was also reminded of Sweet Valley High.

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 22, 2018 at 11:27 pm

      I haven’t thought about Anne of Green Gables in a very long time! Now that you mentioned it, though, I remember having the first book, I guess (I’m not sure if I ever realized it was a series), and reading it over and over as a young child!

  • Reply Aislynn d'Merricksson June 23, 2018 at 5:14 am

    Nice twist to the topic! Haha, mine would have Sherlock Holmes on it. Along with Stephen King, and rather weighty nonfiction reads about WW II, if I recall correctly. I keep a list of books read by month but I’m too lazy to go get specific ?

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries June 23, 2018 at 11:36 am

      Thank you! Oh man, nonfiction – I read so much more of that as a kid than I do now, I think! When I was a tiny thing, I had this obsession with encyclopedias. My grandmother had a stack of them in her spare room and I used to go sit in there alone and read through them, and everyone in my family just grew to accept it as one of my “things”, lmao.

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