The Golden Books of Summer

I don’t know why, but when summer rolls in with its sizzling blacktops and sun-kissed days, I find myself drawn to the literary love. As in, capital R-Romance. Characters coming-of-age at sailing camp... teens having beachside bonfires... You know, those feel-good books that let you melt away from it all. 

Most of the time, I gravitate toward the tough stuff, the angst, the impossible predicaments authors dream up for their characters. So when I find books that lull readers into the summer bliss and tackle the big issues, well that's just... golden. 

One of my favorite golden books is KEEPING THE MOON by Sarah Dessen because it incorporates so many aspects of the adolescent journey. Of course, there's the love story. But there's also the friendship story and the family story and the self-esteem story, all so perfectly entwined. Plus, there's a cat named  Norman and a restaurant called the Last Chance! Mostly, though, I love this book because it is about appreciating who you are while at the same time discovering the person you can someday become. '

Some other summer faves:

• TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler... about  love, loss and the lies laced in between. 
• MY LIFE NEXT DOOR by Huntley Fitzpatrick... in which a young girl must decide whether her loyalties lie in the bonds of friendship, family or her one true love. 
• WANDERLOVE by Kirsten Hubbard... a travel adventure featuring Bria (a good girl trying to go bad) and Rowan (a bad boy trying to stay good). 

See what I mean? Golden. On my list this summer is Sarah Dessen's just-released THE MOON AND MORE. Has anyone read it? Weheartya's Stephanie is actually slated to interview Sarah D. this week and will be posting that interview here on Thursday!

So what are your favorite YA beach books? Any new ones that you can't wait to get your hands on? Let us know and Happy Reading!