While others are looking for places to go and play under the sun, some are looking for great movies or books to read this Summer Break of 2022. Well, heads up, book lovers and movie enthusiasts, we have the perfect list for you!
We get it. No place can give you the comfort you need like home, especially if you are one of the many introverts in the world. Wait, no! You don’t need to feel guilty or different! We all have our preferences, and it’s okay if you want to spend your summer break reading new books or watching movies. It is good exercise for your brain, too!
If you’re still unsure where to start, you can try to look at the list we made just for you.
10 Books To Indulge With This Summer
If you’re the type to take pleasure in reading good books, this book recommendation is the perfect list for you.
- It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
“And as hard as this choice is, we break the pattern before the pattern breaks us.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us
Best-selling author, Colleen Hoover is known for creating characters you can either love to bits or hate to the bones. It Ends With Us Won the “Best Romance Novel” in Good Reads Choice Awards 2020, It is a novel that tells a story about a girl named Lily who just moved and started her college life when she met Ryle and fell for him. Just then, Lily’s first love, Atlas reappears and challenges their relationship. It Ends with Us is a gut-wrenching book that will allow you to feel waves of emotions as the story progresses.
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“Don’t ignore half of me so you can fit me into a box. Don’t do that.”― Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
A historical fiction novel by American author Taylor Jenkins Reid, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” earned its well-deserved Best Historical Fiction award in the Good Reads Book Choice Award in 2017 This classy novel tells a story about Monique, a Journalist who struggles to make a name for herself, receives an offer to interview the ever reclusive Hollywood Starlet of 1960’s Evelyn Hugo. This book talks about fame, scandal, revelations, and love.
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
“How much do you trade to defeat loneliness?” ― Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing
This novel topped The New York Times Fiction Best Sellers of 2019 and The New York Times Fiction Best Sellers of 2020 for a combined 32 non-consecutive weeks. As of late February 2022, the book has spent 150 weeks on the bestseller list. This novel openly talks about alienation, resiliency, independence, and survival. “Where the Crawdads Sing” is a coming-of-age, crime-drama novel about a girl named Kya known in their town as a “Marsh Girl” who lives alone in the marshes of North Carolina. Despite being an outcast, her beauty catches the attention of two men in town. However, after the body of Chase Andrew, the local hotshot, was discovered in the marshes, Kya becomes the prime suspect and the peaceful life she built is at risk.
- Sparring Partners by John Grisham
“Some people have more guts than brains” —John Grisham
“Sparring Partners” is a story about two brothers who loathe each other and talk to each other only when it’s necessary. The Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty are both successful lawyers that inherited a once-booming firm before its founder, their dad, was sent to prison. Despite their differences, they only trust one person in the firm, Diantha who has been working for the company the longest. Will she be able to help the two?
- The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner
But the road to a wedding day usually comes with a few bumps. – Jennifer Weiner, The Summer Place
This novel is about Sarah’s stepdaughter – Ruby, announcing her engagement to her pandemic boyfriend Gabe which set the wheels of the story in motion. As the preparation goes by, Ruby decided she wanted to put the families together thinking it would be fun, which of course, turned out to be a revelation of old and painful secrets in their family. This novel talks about lies, family, and the endless ways love can surprise us.
- Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
“When life gives you lemons, make sure you know whose eyes you need to squeeze them in.” ― Colleen Hoover, Ugly Love
Ugly Love talks about what happens when love stops being just a happy feeling when long-buried pain resurfaces and rules are broken. This book is about Miles and Tate who don’t particularly like each other but soon find a strong physical attraction building. And so, with just two rules – don’t ask about the past, and never expect a future, they entered into a physical relationship that soon faced different challenges.
- Afterparties: Stories by Anthony Veasna Seo
“A promise is a promise, yet, in the end, it is only that.” ― Anthony Veasna So, Afterparties: Stories
This novel starts with two drunken brothers attending a wedding afterparty with a plan to expose their shady uncle’s snubbing of the bride and groom. As the story progresses, stories from the point of view of other guests of the afterparty were told. Be ready for revelations, confessions, and make-ups to happen.
- Aftershocks by Nadia Owusu
“Aftershocks is about finding one’s footing, the titular metaphor describing the lingering effects of catastrophe.” – Nadia Owusu, Aftershocks
Aftershock is a memoir by Nadia Owusu. In this book, you will know about how the author grapples with the fault line of identity, looking for the meaning of home, ripple effects, generational, emotional, and personal trauma, and black womanhood.
- Counterfeit by Kristin Chen
“Money can’t buy happiness… but it can buy a decent fake.” – Kristin Chen, Counterfeit
Counterfeit is about a woman named Ava Wong who all her life always played it safe. As a strait-laced, rule-abiding Chinese American lawyer with a successful surgeon as a husband, a young son, and a beautiful home, everybody thinks she built the perfect life. But beneath this, Ava’s world is crumbling: her marriage is falling apart, her expensive law degree hasn’t been used in years, and her toddler tantrums are pushing her to the breaking point.
- Book Lovers by Emily Henry
“For anyone who wants it all,” she begins, “may you find something that is more than enough.” ― Emily Henry, Book Lovers
One of Emily Henry’s masterpieces, Book Lovers is a story about Nora Stephens and Charlie as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.
10 Best Movies To Chill With This Summer
If you prefer films to books, we got you covered, too! These movies may not be the latest release but are perfect for your summer break chilling out. Get your popcorn and ice creams ready..and some tissues. Don’t say we did not warn you.
- Babe (1995)
Witness the power of friendship and wit in this adaptation of Dick King-Smith’s The Sheep Pig. Laugh and cry as Babe and her companions help her avoid becoming dinner by learning how to herd sheep for a farmer.
- Paddington (2014, 2017)
From a brilliant pig to a wholesome bear, your summer break will surely be heartwarming. Learn the value of family, kindness, curiosity, and a chill attitude from Paddington Brown. Paddington is full of wisdom, profound lessons, and the magic of wholesome English comedy.
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
One of Ghibli’s majestic creations, My Neighbor Totoro will bring surreality to your childhood or soothe your inner child. Join Satsuki and Mei as they spend the summer with their father and the fluffy Totoros.
- National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
Take hold of your popcorn and watch as the Griswolds’ two-week road trip to an amusement park goes wrong in every way possible.
- Turning Red (2022)
This Pixar masterpiece is either a nostalgia from your teenage years or a relatable movie about your preteen life right now with a hook line of “Growing up is a beast.”. And it’s also about a girl who turns into a beastly red fox without warning!
- Amélie (2001)
This Paris-themed movie is feel-good from start to finish. If ever someone wrote a love letter for Paris and its people and turned it into a film, it’s Amélie. This movie about an adorable, oddball woman who secretly tries her hand at charity will surely cure any soul-sickness.
- Clueless (1995)
Ugh. As if this movie still needs justification as to why you should definitely see it for your summer break. This ’90s remake of Emma is a cozy movie about the lovable Cher who one day made up her mind to be a woman of substance. Another reason to watch this movie? Paul Rudd.
- Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Dive into the life of Rachel and her crazy rich boyfriend’s family back in Singapore. Relax as Asian family drama unfolds before your eyes, and swoon at the majestic view of the famous water aisle walk.
- When Harry Met Sally (1989)
This movie about two wonderfully-written friends is worth watching a million times. If the late ‘80s aesthetic is not good enough, wait until you see the New Year’s Eve confrontation scene.
- Some Like It Hot (1959)
Old movies are charming enough. But, with the timeless Marilyn Monroe effect, this summer break might as well be one of your best ones indoors. This black-and-white comedy and drama movie will leave a delightful bittersweet taste once it is finished.
Of course, you can also rewatch some all-time favorites like Star Wars, F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and such.
Video On Movies and Books Recommended For Summer Of 2022
Pros of Staying Home During Summer
If they asked, “what’s good about staying in this summer break?”, well, you tell them about this list.
- Saves Money
Summer break is when you get little to no allowance at all, which means you need to budget your money or look for things to earn. Staying in will help you cut expenses, and you can try to apply for work-from-home jobs too.
- Spending More Time with Your Family
It might be boring for others to stay and spend time with your loved ones, but in the long run, they will always be the ones who always got your back. A movie night or a family dinner to catch things up occasionally sounds excellent as well.
- Prioritizing Mental and Physical Health
Taking a break from the stress and pressure of classes is a healthy thing to do. Staying at home helps you prioritize yourself over anything else. You can also take this chance to compensate for pushing yourself too hard during the school year.
- Reconnecting with some Old Friends
The word “some” pertains to people meant to stay in our past but not the present. Reconnecting with those close friends you have but got separated because they went to a different school is also a great idea. You can facetime or video chat with them to catch up.
- Eating Good Food
Eating home-cooked meals will always be why staying in during summer breaks is a good thing. Nothing beats meals cooked with love and enjoying them without stressing about driving home after eating. Scientists proved that people get healthier during summer breaks because it gives them time to eat more fruits and vegetables to beat the heat.
Conclusion
We are all born different. It is to fulfill the purpose of making sure this world will never get boring. Just because you are an introvert does not mean you are automatically dull. You just happen to enjoy other forms of entertainment. This Summer Break of 2022, everyone is entitled to rest and enrich themselves the way they want to.
And hey, your kindred spirits may enjoy this article too, so don’t hesitate to share this with them. Let’s plan the best Summer Break ever
I'm Arby Barroga, a passionate writer with three years of experience. I find joy in crafting captivating stories that transport readers to new worlds.
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