Family Summer Reading List

The Summer Bookshelf

A Family Reading List for Parents & Teenagers

If you’re worried about your kids’ screentime and the lure of scrolling mindlessly on holiday, have a read. Here’s a few books you can buy for the family and maybe even swap and chat about at dinner.

I adore reading and always have. But I am also endlessly busy and easily distracted. I have to pull back from picking up my phone and pick up a book. This is usually because I am shattered and it is always a time to give myself a pep talk about why we should all read more.

The best books don't just entertain us; they introduce us to people we'd never meet and places we'd never visit. They make us laugh, challenge our assumptions. Sometimes they break our hearts and might even change the way we see things.

As my daughters each enter a new key stage in education, I have pulled together a list which I thought might be useful for parents and teenagers to share and enjoy. Reading should be an escape, not a chore…and reading around subjects and topics helps deepen knowledge and spark curiosity.

I’ve divided them into vague genres..some overlap. At some point I’ll do one to compliment GCSE lit and Lang and A level Eng Lit.

But this list is for summer escapism (albeit first one is about Nazi Germany!) But a list that contains great stories with well drawn characters and interesting themes. A list that adults and teens can both enjoy.

Historical Fiction
* The Book Thief
Why it's worth reading: An extraordinary novel narrated by Death, set in Nazi Germany. It explores the power of words, kindness and courage during one of history's darkest periods. It is beautifully written and unforgettable.
* Code Name Verity
Why it's worth reading: A story of friendship, espionage and sacrifice during WW2. It reminds us that history is often shaped by ordinary people making extraordinary choices.

Society/Politics
*Noughts & Crosses
Why it's worth reading: By reversing racial privilege, Blackman challenges readers to question prejudice, power and inequality through a story that is compelling.
* The Hate U Give
Why it's worth reading: A thoughtful and accessible novel exploring identity, justice and finding the courage to speak when it matters most. The Y9 students at LC watched the film version of this in Philosophy, Ethics and Beliefs and loved it.

Strong Women & Feminism
* Lessons in Chemistry
Why it's worth reading: Funny and rebellious, this explores ambition and sexism, but also resilience without losing its sense of humour.

Growing Up
*The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Why it's worth reading: An honest portrayal of adolescence/friendship/loneliness and belonging. It captures what it feels like to be young with real empathy.

*Looking for Alaska
Why it’s worth reading: Set at boarding school, this novel explores friendship, love, grief and the search for meaning with humour and intelligence.
Eleanor & Park
Why it’s worth reading: Sweet story of first love between two teenagers who don’t really fit in. As much about family/identity and finding acceptance as it is about romance.

Humanity/Humour
*Anxious People
Why it's worth reading: A very funny novel about ordinary people and the invisible burdens we all carry. It reminds us that kindness and understanding matter more than we ever realise.
*The Midnight Library
Why it's worth reading: This one stayed with me a while. It explores regret, possibility and the choices that shape our lives. It encourages readers to appreciate the life they're living rather than aspiring to something else, or the one they imagine will make them happier. Basically, appreciating what we have. (And the fact he’s happiest as a middle aged teacher is nice :))
*Good Omens
Why it's worth reading: Clever and satirical, v funny. Beneath its absurd premise lies a celebration of being human.
*The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Why it's worth reading: Just v.good. A reminder that imagination and laughter are as important as knowing all the answers.

A Few More

* I Must Betray You
*All the Light We Cannot See
*Radio Silence
*Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
*Geek Girl
*The Humans
*A Man Called Ove
*About a Boy

If I were to do only ten, I'd make them these:

*The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
*Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
*The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
*Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
*Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman
*Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
*The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
*Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
*The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
*The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

I hope this helps…I’ve got a few on order! At an age where it’s hard to always find common ground, this is an easy win to e.g. argue about endings, disagree with characters etc.

Enjoy..I will feed back end of Aug!