With long sunlight hours and lack of required readings for class, summer offers the perfect time to pick up a new book. The Daily Texan curated a list of seven books that make great additions to any summer reading list, whether enjoyed by the pool or on a plane.
“Black Swans” by Eve Babitz
The ultimate cool-girl Eve Babitz captures the zeitgeist of California in the ‘80s and ‘90s with this fun, entertaining read. The collection of nine stories describes everything from learning to tango to jealousy, aging and the changing nature of Los Angeles. With each story, Babitz pulls readers further into her glamorous yet relatable world.
“On the Road” by Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac penned the perfect road trip read with “On the Road,” exploring the Beat Generation in his semi-autobiographical masterpiece. Following the free-spirited Sal Paradise on his many road trips, the novel contains all the freedom and excitement of a summer spent traveling and exploring new cities.
“In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote
For fans of true crime, look no further than “In Cold Blood.” When the well-known Clutter family is murdered, their small hometown of Holcomb, Kansas, is left in a state of shock. Six years in the making, author Truman Capote follows the story of both the murders and the fate of the convicted, creating a must-read page-turner.
“Letters to Milena” by Franz Kafka
Sent over the course of three years, “Letters to Milena” documents the correspondence between author Franz Kafka and translator Milena Jesenská. Only meeting in person twice, their relationship was confined to the written word. Kafka leaves his usual unsettling style behind for a raw, honest yearning that fans of romance will be sure to enjoy.
“The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor Dostoevsky
For those met with lots of free time this summer, replace doom-scrolling with the hefty Russian classic, “The Brothers Karamazov.” Dostoevsky’s iconic novel details the intricate love triangles between three brothers and their father. Hailed for its philosophical nature, this courtroom drama offers a perfect exploration of both human nature and Russian literature.
“Nine Stories” by J.D. Salinger
Although many have read J.D. Salinger’s most popular novel, “Catcher in the Rye,” dive into a lesser-known yet equally captivating book with “Nine Stories.”As the name suggests, the book contains nine short stories penned by Salinger between 1948 and 1953, including popular additions such as “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” and “For Esmé — with Love and Squalor.” “Nine Stories” allows readers to see the full breadth of Salinger’s talents.
“One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez
Following the tales of the Buendía family living in the town of Macondo, Gabriel García Márquez takes readers on an intergenerational journey with “One Hundred Years of Solitude.” Blending magical realism with references to historical events, such as the Banana Massacre of 1928, this chronicle proves both an entertaining and informative read. After finishing the novel, students can also check out the original manuscript, located at UT’s very own Harry Ransom Center.
