With the end of the year exams and summatives, many of us didn’t have time to relax with a good book. This is why the summer holiday is the perfect time to catch up on some well-needed reading. However, with so many genres, series, and types of books, it can be daunting to choose books you are interested in. Below I will introduce books of different genres that are perfect for summer reading!

Starting with fantasy, this is a book my friends have recommended to me several times. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna is a powerful, action-packed fantasy novel that follows the story of 16-year-old Deka. The story, set in a west-African inspired society named Otera, explores strong themes of misogyny, acceptance, and trauma. In Otera, 15 year olds must go through a purity ritual involving the colour of their blood to determine their fate. Once cut by a priest, if their blood bleeds red, they are pure. Gold blood, however, is thought to be impure, and those with it are killed or subjected to torture.

Next up is a mystery novel that has been gaining popularity recently. The Maid is a story by Nita Prose that takes place in a grand hotel and is written from the perspective of Molly Gray. Molly is inquisitive and passionate, but struggles to fit in and be respected by her coworkers. From the uniform to the satisfaction of returning a room to a state of perfection, Molly loves everything about being a maid. But Molly's orderly life was no longer the same after she finds a guest dead in a hotel room and the police began to target Molly despite her innocence. The mystery is incredible because of how Molly delivers the story from a unique perspective and opens our eyes to the world along the way.

My last recommendation is a popular young adult fiction novel that explores death and acceptance. Although this book is likely to make you cry by the time you finish it, the incredible character development and the author's message in They Both Die at the End make it worth all the emotions. The author, Adam Silvera, reminds us to live every day like it is our last. Death Cast is an organisation that predicts your death and calls you 24 hours before it to remind you to spend your last day wisely. Mateo and Rufus each receive a call from Death Cast on the same day. They both regret their decisions in life, and for different reasons, want to make a last friend. Join Mateo and Rufus as they live a whole lifetime in one last day.

Reading is an incredible way to spend your summer break. You have access to whole new worlds at your fingertips and can learn about society and yourself. Not only is reading a great way to spend your time, but is also critical for fostering and improving your reading skills before school reopens. I encourage you all to give some of my recommendations a try, and if you have any of your own, please include them in the comments. Have a great summer break!