Summer break is a great time to catch up on some reading unrelated to your studies. This will keep your mind active, give you the chance to explore new ideas, and remind you of how enjoyable reading can be. In addition to any books you’ve had on your reading list for some time, you should definitely make sure you read these.

Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children’s Literature as an Adult

Reread all your childhood favourites in a new way with Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children’s Literature as an Adult. In this book, Bruce Handy uncovers interesting facts about everything from what the stories mean to biographical tidbits about their authors.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

If you haven’t already read Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, don’t wait any longer. It was a hit as soon as it came out and has since been recommended on countless book lists. All about the history of humanity, it starts at the very beginning — 70,000 years ago, when other species in the Homo genus were still in existence — and spans all the way to the present and beyond with predictions for the future. You’ll learn a huge amount of information you never even realized you needed to know.

Meet Me in the Bathroom

Music is a passion of most university students. In Meet Me in the Bathroom, music journalist Lizzy Goodman details the adventures of some of the top rock bands that were active in the early 2000s in New York City. The book consists of just under 200 interviews with band members and others connected to the music scene. The focus is on the hidden (and often dark) side of rock music.

The Answers

Make sure to also read some novels this summer. One that should be at the top of your list is The Answers by Catherine Lacey. The story is about a woman who needs expensive medical treatment but has no way to pay for it. Desperate for money, she ends up applying for something called the Girlfriend Experiment. As well as having an intense plot, the novel will leave you with many questions about love, relationships, and romance.

Things That Happened Before the Earthquake

Another novel you must read this summer is Things That Happened Before the Earthquake. Chiara Barzini takes us back to LA in the 90s — through the eyes of an Italian teenager who has been taken away from everything she knows and transplanted in the U.S. An intriguing coming-of-age story, this tale has a unique perspective to keep things interesting.

You’ll be able to continue reading when you return to university if you have a comfortable room in off-campus housing. Ottawa students can find a home at Theo. Choose between your own apartment, a private bedroom in a shared apartment, and a shared room. All the units are spacious with full-size kitchens and stylish living rooms. Plus, you can head to the study station or lounge whenever you want a change of scenery. Book a tour to check it out.