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• Five more books to read this summer

Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen)

Jacob Jankowski, the main character, recounts the story of his life as a veterinarian in the circus during the Great Depression. The story captures the feel of real circus life, complete with freak shows, acrobatics, and of course the infamous elephants. It’s an easy-to-read novel which captivates the reader and makes them feel like they are partaking in circus life alongside Jacob.

My Sister’s Keeper (Jodi Piccoult)

Even though this book has been on the shelf since 2005, it’s still in the recommended reading section of Barnes and Noble, and for good reason. Anna Fitzgerald was conceived in order to save her sister Kate’s life. Kate has suffered from leukemia since she was three and through frequent blood and bone marrow transplants, Anna has kept Kate alive. But, when asked to donate a kidney, thirteen-year-old Anna finally puts her foot down and files for medical emancipation from her parents. The book is told from multiple perspectives and is full of twists which keep the reader guessing.

For One More Day (Mitch Albom)

Albom is famous for Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You’ll Meet in Heaven (both of which are also worth reading!) but this story doesn’t disappoint either. Charley Benetto has lived a hard life of alcoholism and has estranged himself from most of his friends and family. In the book he is given one more day with his deceased mother, whom he failed to appreciate during her lifetime, and has another chance to change his ways. While the subject sounds deep, it’s an interesting and easy read.

East of Eden (John Steinbeck)

Even though Steinbeck isn’t exactly light reading, East of Eden is a masterpiece. He weaves much of his own family’s history into the story of the Trasks, while at the same time frequently alluding to the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. The story covers several generations of the Trask family, leading up to Steinbeck’s own generation. Even though the novel is long, it’s a great classic to add to the list of must-read books.

Christ Stopped at Eboli(Carlo Levi)

Even though its an Italian novel, the poetic language and tragic story of the poverty in southern Italy can engross any audience. Levi tells of his own history as a political prisoner of World War II in the region of Basilicata (then called Matera). While most people picture the canals of Venice and the ruins of Rome, Levi paints an entirely different picture of the malaria-ridden and archaic south of Italy. His book helped prompt the Italian government to reform the South, and although dated, the heart wrenching beauty of his language lives on.