Summer reading and music suggestions from a Backdropper

ENTERTAINMENT Books & Bops

One Backdropper shares her top picks for summer reading and listening.

BY RORY BALL | PHOTO BY JACOB DURBIN | DESIGN BY RACHEL RECTOR

Whether you’re an avid reader or only have time to breeze through books in the summer, this list of books is sure to move and inspire.

Flights by Olga Tokarczuk

Originally published in Polish, Flights weaves heartbreaking stories together to examine the importance of migration and travel in life. Chopin’s heart carries him home to Warsaw; a woman returns to her homeland to gain closure of a past loved one; a man succumbs to madness when his wife and young son go missing on vacation then suddenly return after months of investigation. The stories leave readers contemplating the significance of where strangers come from, where they have been and where they are going.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

For those who need a refreshing, motivating read, The Alchemist teaches readers how to live in the present and follow their hearts. The story follows Santiago, a young shepherd boy, who yearns to travel and see the world after dreaming of treasures in a faraway land. Throughout his journey, Santiago is presented with omens and meets those who both help and hinder his journey.

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

My all-time favorite autobiography. Each anecdote from Haddish’s life is paired with a meaningful life lesson that almost any reader can relate to in one way or another. Haddish’s simple storytelling welcomes readers into the most intimate moments of her life that readers can empathize with and learn from.

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

Set in Manhattan in the summer of 1974, Let the Great World Spin follows the lives of individuals watching a mysterious man walk on a tightrope suspended between the Twin Towers. The novel, comprised of fictitious characters, weaves together stories of loss and lament that reflect social issues of the 1970s in America.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

A short, sentimental read that considers life after death. The novel follows Eddie, an amusement park ride mechanic who suddenly dies in an accident at the park, into his afterlife experience where he is greeted by the five people who impacted his life the most. The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a brilliant contemplation of how important varying relationships are in every person’s life. b

Not a reader? Here are 15 different songs to start your summer on the right note.

1. “This Life” by Vampire Weekend 2. “Daft Pretty Boys” by Bad Suns 3. “Casita” by Goth Babe 4. “Woo!” by Remi Wolf 5. “Uncle Iroh” by tobi lou 6. “Lately” by The Pesky Snakes 7. “Pink Lemonade” by The Wombats 8. “ON SOME HIGH” by SEBASTIAN PAUL 9. “Half Way” by Kolohe Kai 10. “Head In The Clouds” by BabyJake 11. “Judy You Hung the Moon” by HARBOUR 12. “Napkins” by RIZ LA VIE 13. “Late Nate” by Lucky Daye 14. “invisible string” by Taylor Swift 15. “Molly” by Lil Dicky, Brendon Urie

Use this QR code to check out the summer playlist on Spotify.