Books to Read This Summer

With the summer comes warm weather, a bit of down-time and the chance to kick back with a good book. While the season might be winding down, here's a list of recommendations as you continue your summer reading.

A Classic

For many of us, we've all "read" the classics, we just don't remember them after school lets out. If Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre was one of those long-forgotten books, pick up a copy. To read the novel as an adult is a joy; Jane is a complicated, remarkable and very strong female character in a genre known to depict women as beautiful victims at best.

Chart Topper

Suggested by  and backed by this Editor, George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones: A Song of Fire and Ice is well worth the time (and patience!) it takes to get through the epic fantasy series. Those not typically a fan of the genre and the most diehard of fantasy readers will find themselves glued to their seats while reading Martin's five published novels. And when they're done, they'll be eagerly anticipating the release of the reamining two. If that's not enough, readers will probably be done in time for the third season of the HBO show of the same name!

A Book for Those Young Adults and a Local Pick

Author Crissa-Jean Chappell has lived in Ditmas Park for six months, but has quickly adopted the neighborhood as her own. Released this month, Narc tells the story of Aaron Foster, a 17-year-old stoner given the choice of going to jail or going undercover to find the dealer who's funneling drugs into Miami's Palm Hammock High School. While the book might take place in Miami, readers should take comfort in the fact that Chappell molded her work in this neighborhood, working from home and editing from local coffee shops.

Have another summer favorite? Let us know in the comments section below, tell us on Facebook, or tweet at us!