As you sit amidst an air-conditioned room blasting music and sipping lemonade, settle down with a world-renowned book that will take you beyond those cement walls and neighborhood gates. Well, look no further than this list of books for you to read this summer, particularly catered toward teens with a love of culture, romance, and great adventure.

For WONDER.- Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Once, a young girl named Chiyo with beautiful gray-blue eyes lived in a raggedy little fishing village in Japan. Yet her life as a fisherman‘s daughter swerved when her father gave Chiyo and her sister to a local businessman who sells her to a family of geisha in Kyoto. She is to train to become Kyoto’s best geisha, a Japanese hostesses trained to entertain men with conversation, dance, and song. This is her story.

For ROMANCE- The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Long time ago in the kingdom of Florin, there resides Buttercup, the most beautiful girl in the world. She falls in love with the farm boy Westley, who decides to venture out to seek his fortune in America. Nothing could deter their love, that is, until his love letters stopped coming and news came that his ship was attacked by Dread Pirate Roberts who never leaves survivors.

Five years past, Buttercup was chosen by Prince Humperdinck as his wife for her beauty. Yet before the marriage could take place, Buttercup is kidnapped by three henchman set with the task to kill Buttercup and leave her lifeless body on the shores of Guilder to frame Guilder and set aflame a war between the two countries. So begins a tale of high adventure, deadly monsters, and true love.

For INSPIRATION- The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
In San Francisco, a group of mothers gathered in front of a mahjong table to play and share their stories. Suyuan, An-mei, Lindo, and Ying-ying had all left China in search of a better life. They hope to raise happy families in America. They are immersed in their cultural heritage and their life is influenced by it.

These moms know what‘s best.

Their daughters, Jing-mei, Waverly, Lena, and Rose, grew up in San Francisco. Although they are interested in the Chinese culture, they are also interested in fitting in with all the other Americans. They wanted to be empowered, independent women and be able to do whatever they wanted.

These daughters know what’s best.

Naturally, these mothers and daughters didn‘t always agree with each other, together crafting a highly relatable, frustratingly loving tale for immigrant teens.

What is your favorite book?

<Christina Peng/ BeckmanHS 10th>