Top Ten Series to Binge-Read Over the Summer

Olivia Handscom ‘18/ Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

Our society has become obsessed with binge watching, and now people have caught on to a new wave of mass consumption, binge reading. People will wait until a book series is complete, or a majority of the books are out, so they can marathon the series in its entirety. So rather than waiting a year or so between each book, and risking forgetting the details of the previous book(s), most prefer to binge read.

And the summer is a perfect time for binge reading! Whether you plan to read by the pool, on the beach, or in the safety of your air conditioning, there is a great series waiting for you to binge!

1. A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin

The story is told through multiple perspectives of the ongoing rat race/ battle to see who will sit on the Iron Throne and rule the Kingdom of Westeros. Nobody is safe in Martin’s fantasy world, and the twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat. The five books currently out are about 1,000 pages a piece, so there is plenty of material to keep you busy this summer.

2. The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon

This historical fiction/ fantasy hybrid series follows Claire Randall, who is ripped from her own time, England in the year 1945, and hurled back in time to Scotland in the year 1743. There Claire meets a young Scottish warrior, Jamie Fraser, and some romance ensues. This series has the perfect balance of action, romance, and mystery to be a great summer binge.

3. The Dark Tower series by Stephen King

This epic eight book series is one Stephen King himself has called his magnum opus. It is a cross between horror, science fiction, fantasy, and even western. The story follows Roland Deschain, the last member of a knightly order, and his quest to find the Dark Tower. King manages to create a world that is familiar but at the same time, completely strange for the reader. It is a little dark and a little odd, in true Stephen King fashion. If you have yet to try Stephen King, I suggest you start here.

4. The Walking Dead series by Robert Kirkman

This post- apocalyptic graphic novel series follows a group of survivors through the zombie apocalypse. The group is not only fighting the undead, but also an even more deadly predator: other human survivors. The series has over twenty- three volumes, and because it is a graphic novel series it reads very quickly. A perfect fast- paced summer read.

5. The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy by Jenny Han

For as long as she can remember, Belly has been spending her summers at Susannah’s beach house, and for as long as she can remember she has been in love with Susannah’s oldest son, Conrad. This summer things are going to be different; because this is the summer she turned pretty. It’s a story about relationships, family, and finding yourself; the perfect binge for the beach.

6. The Anna and The French Kiss trilogy by Stephanie Perkins

This companion trilogy follows three girls: Anna, Lola, and Isla as they find love in different locations. Each girl brings their own unique personality and swoon- worthy love interest. These novels are hilarious and heartfelt. They are fast- paced and the best poolside summer books.

7. The Selection series by Kiera Cass

Along with thirty-four other girls, America Singer has been selected to compete for the chance to win the heart of the crown prince of Illea, in a competition reminiscent of the Bachelor. America has no plans of actually competing, but when she meets Prince Maxon her plans begin to change. These dystopian novels are a highly addictive binge read.

8. The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlene Harris

This paranormal series is what HBO’s Trueblood, is loosely based on. This story follows a waitress in a southern small town who gets mixed up in the local supernatural residents. These books are deliciously fun, and have just enough intrigue and mystery to make them hard to put down. There are thirteen books; plenty of vampire fun to keep you entertained this summer.

9. The Millennium series by Stieg Larsson

This thrilling mystery series you may recognize it as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. It follows Mikael Blomkvist, who is attempting resurrect his professional career. In order to do so he teams up with a genius investigator, Lisbeth Salander, and together they attempt to solve disappearance that has remained unresolved for nearly four decades. If you enjoy thrillers, or just would like to give the genre a try, this series is a great one to binge this summer.

10. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

The summer is always a good time to read about Harry Potter and his adventures at Hogwarts. Harry spends seven years living at the magic boarding school, fighting his evil nemesis with his two best friends. Whether this will be your first time reading this generation-defining series or your hundredth time, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.