All The Books I’ve Read This Summer!!!
Letters to a Young Poet — Rainer Maria Rilke (Rating: 4/5)
There is no doubt that Rilke was not one hundred percent a good person in his time. We can see his narcissistic side a bit more through these letters but it is with my full heart that I am saying that his smugness does not decrease how amazing of a poet and writer he is. Rilke is really one of a kind and reading this book, full of his advice, really helped me as a 17 year old who has this big passion for writing.
“I beg you, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them.”
Madonna in a Fur Coat — Sabahattin Ali (Rating: 5/5)
I might be a little biased when voting for this book since I want everyone to read it. It is just the most heartbreaking love story ever and without doubt the best one in Turkish literature. I have no more words to say except read it! You will finish it in one go, trust me.
““When misfortune visits those who once walked alongside us, we do tend to feel relief, almost as if we believe we have ourselves been spared.”
Siddhartha — Hermann Hesse (Rating: 4/5)
I recommend this book to anyone who’s been on a journey to find themselves. It is like a guide that will leave you shocked and fill your brain with lots of thoughts about life. This book taught me a lot of stuff that I am sure you will also learn. If you liked “The Alchemist” I am sure you’ll like this book too since it also follows the story of a young boy hoping to find his life’s meaning. This novel describes the journey of a man named Siddhartha as he seeks teachers at every stage in his life, in hopes of finding true happiness like we all do.
“Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”
The Forty Rules of Love — Elif Shafak (Rating: 3/5)
I started reading The Forty Rules of Love for a school project, and initially, it was quite captivating. However, as the story progressed, it began to feel a bit dull for me. This might be because we’ve already studied Mevlana’s story in detail during our school lessons, so the retelling wasn’t as fresh. That said, I believe the book could be more engaging for someone less familiar with Mevlana’s life and Sufism.
The novel centers around a woman from Boston who has spent her entire life putting others first, never doing anything for herself, and her journey of self-discovery through Sufism and Love when she meets an author. It’s an interesting exploration of love, spirituality, and personal growth, and might resonate more deeply with readers from different backgrounds.
“How can love be worthy of its name if one selects solely the pretty things and leaves out the hardships? It is easy to enjoy the good and dislike the bad. Anybody can do that. The real challenge is to love the good and the bad together, not because you need to take the rough with the smooth but because you need to go beyond such descriptions and accept love in its entirety.”
Normal People — Sally Rooney (Rating: 5/5)
This book is a captivating read that I absolutely loved. The characters felt incredibly real, and I connected with each of them in a unique way. Rooney’s writing pulled me in from the first page, and I finished the book in just two days. The exploration of relationships and personal growth is profound and beautifully portrayed. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys deep, emotional storytelling.
“I’m not a religious person but I do sometimes think God made you for me.”
“Most people go through their whole lives, without ever really feeling that close with anyone.”
