Books You’ve Never Heard of that Will Instantly Cure that Vacation Hangover!
Recommended by Nicole Conway, author of Legend and the Dragonrider Chronicles
Sooooo … yeah. School is starting back up soon. The parents are rejoicing, marking down those days on the calendar like it’s the countdown to Christmas. The kids are groaning (except for the nerds, like me, who loved school) and dreading early morning wake-ups and homework. The convenience stores are stocking their shelves for those teacher supply lists, filling the store with the ambient aroma of fresh Ticonderoga pencils, crayons, and composition notebooks.
Whatever your feelings about the beginning of the end of summer vacation, books are there help you survive. They’ll pass the time until the first day arrives, or numb you to the inevitable pain of being conscious before 8 AM. But you don’t have to scour the bestseller racks of pricey hardbacks to find that perfect world to escape to. Here’s a little list of lesser-known books that will give you all the comfort you need!
The Joining of Souls series by Shaila Patel ( @shaila_writes )
Not only have these books been nominated for (and won) multiple awards—they’re wildly entertaining, drenched in captivating details, and always ready with twists and turns you won’t see coming!
The Fogdiver by Joel Ross
Any Percy Jackson fans out there? If you like his elements of fantasy, diverse casts of engaging young characters, and touches of whimsy – then you HAVE to read this book!
Beauty by Robin McKinley ( @robinmckinley )
Arguably the best retelling of Beauty and the Beast ever written. McKinley is a master of lyric, beautiful writing and the happily-ever-after ending we all crave.
The Summoner by Gail Z. Martin ( @GailZMartin )
If the ending of GOT broke your heart, this compelling, fast-paced fantasy series will whet your appetite for adventure, light romance, action, mystery, and magic. My favorite thing about it? It’s clean. So you can pass it down to your kids/younger siblings without a worry!
Slayer Academy series by Louise Cypress ( @theyagal )
There’s a reason academy series are so hot right now—and it’s because of books like these! Louise mixes humor, mystery, and tales of forbidden love into stories carried by authentic and relatable characters. You’ll laugh, cry, and wish you could be a slayer, too!
Fire in the Woods by Jennifer Eaton ( @jennifermeaton )
I. Could. Not. Put. This. Book. Down!! It’s just the right mix of action and cute alien boys fighting for survival as they try to head off an intergalactic war with an unsuspecting earth. Trust me, it’s the sci-fi story you’ve been craving!
Skellig by David Almond ( @davidjalmond )
Don’t let the size of this book fool you. For a tiny, fast read—this story packs a major punch. I’ve never read anything that impacted me as much as this book did. It’s intensely beautiful, emotional, and will have you thinking for days after about who—or what—Skellig truly is.
Petshop of Horrors by Matsuri Akino
Welcome to Count D’s shop, where the pet you receive will be precisely what you deserve … Seriously, though. This series of manga is another quick but powerful read, incorporating tales of myth and fantasy from all over the world in mysteries and scandals that will make you think twice about how you treat others—including your pets.
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer ( @marissa_meyer )
Okay, if you’ve walked past these books in the store and not picked them up yet – now is the time!! I guarantee you’ve never read fairy tale retellings like these, and their unique spin on familiar stories will leave you inspired and breathless!
Don’t miss Nicole Conway’s panel with Marissa Meyer at San Diego Comic-Con!
If you like these books, you can get also get lost in the world of Nicole Conway’s dragonriders with The Dragonrider Chronicles or Dragonrider Legacy!