As this semester comes to an end and summer vacation approaches, I’ve decided to slow down and take this season as an opportunity to reset. For me, summer is more than just a break from classes; it’s a time to reconnect with myself, reflect on everything I’ve experienced, and dive into stories that stir the soul. This year, I’m choosing books that entertain, challenge, heal, and expand the way I see the world.

Here’s my curated summer reading list, filled with stories from powerful voices across cultures, themes of identity, and quiet moments of transformation.

Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates

This book is at the top of my list because I want to understand more about the online communities and ideologies that shape modern misogyny.

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

A haunting and surreal novel that explores one woman’s quiet rebellion against societal expectations. I’ve heard it’s unsettling and beautiful all at once.

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

I am a big fan of historical fiction, and this one is about love and loss set against the backdrop of political upheaval in 1950s Tehran. I hope it’ll be the kind of book that makes yoy cry and smile in the same chapter.

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

This book has been on my list for a while. Blending time, memory, and the interconnectedness of human experience. I think it’s going to be one of those profound, mind-opening reads that makes you think about life, time, and the way we tell our stories.

The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is one of my favourite authors. I love the way she writes. This is a retelling of the Ramayana through Sita’s perspective. I’m excited to experience this retelling, not just as a story, but as a reflection of womanhood, resilience, and strength.

More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

I adored the first book in this series; it was gentle, nostalgic, and filled with the kind of warmth that lingers long after you’ve closed the pages. I’m expecting the same comforting experience with this one.