Poolside Reads

 

The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

The Rest of the Story is a novel by Sarah Dessen. It was released on June 4, 2019. The novel focuses on Emma Saylor Payne, and her summer with her mother's family, after her summer plans are canceled and her father scrambles to find a solution before he leaves the country.

99 Days by Katie Cotugno

'99 Days' is set across 99 days (surprisingly) of the worst summer of Molly Barton's life. You see, two years ago her boyfriend, Patrick, broke up with her, and because she was upset and wanted someone to comfort her she ended up sleeping with his older brother, Gabe.

The Summer I Turned Pretty #1 by Jenny Han

The main plot revolves around Belly's relationship with Conrad and Jeremiah, and her own personal growth and self-discovery. Some of the key events in the story include: Belly's arrival at the beach house and reunion with Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly's growing feelings for Conrad and her conflicted emotions about him.

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Seventeen-year-old Andie Walker's life is planned down to the minute, and she likes it that way. Perhaps it's the byproduct of being the daughter of a prominent Connecticut congressman and knowing that there can be no missteps for fear of damaging his career.

Float by Kate Marchant

Float is a charming story about a seventeen-year-old girl from Alaska spending her summer completely out of her element in Florida. Awkward and always mediocre-at-best, Waverly feels like a disappointment to her divorced parents, and wants to stay out of their way (and finally spend a summer NOT in the Arctic).

What Happens Now by Jennifer Castle

Ari Logan is battling to win her war against depression and the dark night she hurt herself on purpose. It's not easy: her best friend is drifting away, her mom's emotionally checked out, and she spends her days playing caregiver to her handful of a half-sister, Danielle. But it's summer, and anything is possible...

The Kissing Booth #1 by Beth Reekles

When Elle decides to run a kissing booth at her school's Spring Carnival, she locks lips with Noah and her life is turned upside down. Her head says to keep away, but her heart wants to draw closer. This romance seems far from a fairy tale. Is Elle headed for heartbreak or will she get her happily ever after?

Summer Days and Summer Nights

Maybe it's the long, lazy days, or maybe it's the heat making everyone a little bit crazy. Whatever the reason, summer is the perfect time for love to bloom.

Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, written by twelve bestselling young adult writers and edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins, will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake. So set out your beach chair and grab your sunglasses. You have twelve reasons this summer to soak up the sun and fall in love.

The Summer We Forgot by Caroline George

Teens become embroiled in a murder investigation when their science teacher's body is discovered at the camp they all attended. Two summers ago, Darby Wallis and her ex-boyfriend, Morgan Rhodell, broke up after Morgan betrayed her.

Summer Unscripted by Jen Klein

Summer unscripted by Jen Klein is an amazing book about a teenage love triangle. There is a girl name Rainie she's in love with a boy named Tuck because of his monologue where he was “Looking into my eyes. Were his eyes always that blue?”. So obviously she follows him to acting camp.

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids follow the story of Elyse, a girl from Tobago who decided to take refuge in Atargatis Cove after an accident that damaged her voice permanently. As the story progress she will see that her voice is something that comes within.

Great Reads for the Summer!

Are you looking for your next great read? Well look no further! Our Young Adult Librarian Ryan has many great book recommendations for you this summer. Here is a list of some of Ryan's favorites! These are all located in the YA Room in front of the YA desk.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera 

They Both Die at the End follows the tale of two teens, Mateo Torrez (18) and Rufus Emeterio (17), who both receive phone calls from Death-Cast, a national service that notifies people who have only 24 hours left to live.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

It follows Charlie during his freshman year of high school as he makes and loses friends, experiments with drugs and his sexuality, and comes to grips with his past. Charlie is the main character and first-person narrator of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which is told through Charlie's letters.

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Hey, Kiddo is a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive. In kindergarten, Jarrett Krosoczka's teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett's family is much more complicated than that.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer.

Demon Slayer by Kimetsu No Yaiba

In Taisho-era Japan, kindhearted Tanjiro Kamado makes a living selling charcoal. But his peaceful life is shattered when a demon slaughters his entire family. His little sister Nezuko is the only survivor, but she has been transformed into a demon herself! Tanjiro sets out on a dangerous journey to find a way to return his sister to normal and destroy the demon who ruined his life.

Learning to destroy demons won't be easy, and Tanjiro barely knows where to start. The surprise appearance of another boy named Giyu, who seems to know what's going on, might provide some answers--but only if Tanjiro can stop Giyu from killing his sister first!

The Inheritance Games #1 by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The book follows Avery Kylie Grambs, a high school girl who lost her mom and is now living with her step-sister Libby. Avery has just discovered that Tobias Hawthorne, a billionaire, has left her in his will. However, Avery will not simply inherit the fortune. She must play Tobias Hawthornes' inheritance game.

Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto

Naruto is a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He's got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his mission to be the world's greatest ninja!

No one takes Naruto seriously at Ninja Academy. Especially not the other students, who all are competing to be the best ninja ever and someday lead Konoha, the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Naruto and his classmates are about to embark on an adventure that takes them far beyond Ninja Academy, beyond Konoha, beyond anything they ever imagined. What is Naruto's true destiny? The epic story that has sold millions worldwide begins now!

Three Dark Crowns #1 by Kendare Blake

Three Dark Crowns is about triplet sisters, Katharine, Arsinoe, and Mirabella. Each of the girls has been born with a unique magical gift, and one of them is destined to become queen of the land of Fennbirn. The girls are part of a tradition that extends back to the founding of the realm.

The Seven Deadly Sins by Nakaba Suzuki

Meliodas escapes the Goddess Amber, but he emerges from his prison strangely silent and with a new look. In the blink of an eye, he wrecks Guila and Jericho and begins delivering an epic beating to Sir Helbram, who somehow manages to stand up to the transformed Dragon Sin of Wrath. What is going on with this new Meliodas? And how is Helbram avoiding being stomped by the overwhelming power of the changed Meliodas?

A Good Girls Guide to Murder #1 by Holly Jackson

Five years ago, a school girl named Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh. This ruthless murder that killed a young and innocent soul inflicted everyone with grief. Everyone in the small town knows it, including the Police, and believe it in their heart that Sal was the murderer.

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

A sweet and charming coming-of-age story that explores friendship, love, and coming out. Shy and softhearted Charlie Spring sits next to rugby player Nick Nelson in class one morning. A warm and intimate friendship follows, and that soon develops into something more for Charlie, who doesn't think he has a chance.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault In Our Stars is a fabulous book about a young teenage girl who has been diagnosed with lung cancer and attends a cancer support group. Hazel is 16 and is reluctant to go to the support group, but she soon realizes that it was a good idea. Hazel meets a young boy named Augustus Waters.

Flamer by Mike Curato

I know I'm not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I hate boys. They're mean, and scary, and they're always destroying something or saying something dumb or both.

I hate that word. Gay. It makes me feel . . . unsafe.

It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes--but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.

The Freedom Writers Diary by Freedom Writers

This book is a compilation of diary entries from 150 high school students in Long Beach, California, who call themselves the Freedom Writers. Their English teacher, Erin Gruwell, discovers that her at-risk students have never heard of the Holocaust.

Fence by C. S. Pacat

Nicholas Cox is determined to prove himself in the world of competitive fencing, and earn his place alongside fencing legends like the dad he never knew, but things get more complicated when he's up against his golden-boy half-brother, as well as sullen fencing prodigy, Seiji Katayama.

Nicholas, the illegitimate son of a retired fencing champion, is a scrappy fencing wunderkind, and dreams of getting the chance and the training to actually compete. After getting accepted to the prodigious Kings Row private school, Nicholas is thrust into a cut-throat world, and finds himself facing not only his golden-boy half-brother, but the unbeatable, mysterious Seiji Katayama...

Through clashes, rivalries, and romance between teammates, Nicholas and the boys of Kings Row will discover there's much more to fencing than just foils and lunges. From acclaimed writer C.S. Pacat (The Captive Prince) and fan-favorite artist Johanna the Mad.

The Good Girls by Claire Eliza Bartlett

After the shocking murder of senior Emma Baines, three of her classmates are at the top of the suspect list: Claude, the notorious partier; Avery, the head cheerleader; and Gwen, the would-be valedictorian. But appearances are never what they seem.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Looking for Alaska tells the story of Miles “Pudge” Halter, a high school junior who divides his life into time before and time after a life-changing event that the reader will not discover until later in the novel. Miles plans to attend the Culver Creek boarding school for his junior year of high school.

Read the Rainbow

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

“I Kissed Shara Wheeler” follows protagonist Chloe Green, who moves to Alabama and is one of the only students at her intensely Catholic high school who is openly queer. She makes it her singular goal to become valedictorian, her only real competition being the most popular girl at school, Shara Wheeler.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

“ Felix Ever After centres on Felix Love, a trans teenager who is desperate to find and feel love. In his final year of school before college, Felix is struggling somewhat with his identity – as a trans, Black, queer boy he worries he's too complicated to find love.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay — Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.

Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler

A high schooler tries to keep her summer fling—and questions about her sexuality—a secret. After spending her summer in the Outer Banks thanks to her mom's job, petite, blond-haired Lara is back in New York and ready to take on her senior year with a fresh haircut and newfound confidence.

The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch

Sky is an openly gay high school senior in a conservative Michigan town. After his promposal plans are e-blasted to the entire community, the outing sets Sky and his friends on a quest to find the perpetrator and exact revenge.

More Happy than Not by Adam Silvera

In the months after his father's suicide, it's been tough for sixteen-year-old Aaron Soto to find happiness again—but he's still gunning for it. With the support of his girlfriend Genevieve and his overworked mom, he's slowly remembering what that might feel like.

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

The Magic Fish explores what happens after a family of refugees arrives in the United States and how they grapple with the decision to leave their homeland as well as the nuances of coming to a foreign country.

Welcome to St. Hell by Lewis Cox

It's an autobiographical graphic novel about a young transgender person's journey from childhood through his teen and young adult years and transition.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Prince Sebastian of Belgium is hiding a secret: he loves wearing gowns, and dreams of donning something more bold and glamorous than his mother's old castoffs. When he sees a ballgown by seamstress Frances, he immediately knows that she has the artistic vision to bring his dreams to life.

Heartstopper v1 by Alice Oseman

A sweet and charming coming-of-age story that explores friendship, love, and coming out. Shy and softhearted Charlie Spring sits next to rugby player Nick Nelson in class one morning. A warm and intimate friendship follows, and that soon develops into something more for Charlie, who doesn't think he has a chance.

Fence: Striking Distance #1 by Sarah Rees Brennan

After earning a place on the elite Kings Row fencing team, Nicholas must prove himself to his rival, Seiji Katayma, and navigate the clashes, friendships, and relationships between his teammates on the road to state championships -- where Nicholas might finally have the chance to spar with his golden-boy half-brother.

She's too Pretty to Burn by Wendy Heard

An electric romance set against a rebel art scene sparks lethal danger for two girls in She's Too Pretty to Burn, an expertly plotted YA thriller by Wendy Heard. The summer is winding down in San Diego. Veronica is bored, caustically charismatic, and uninspired in her photography.