College has many upsides: living with friends, making your own schedule and dollar beer nights at your local bar, to name a few. Unfortunately, time for pleasure reading is not included in those perks. Between reading lecture notes, textbooks and handouts, there just isn't enough time for us to pick up a great book and just read. I know typical college girls have jam-packed summer schedules – working, interning and studying for summer classes – but there is always a way to squeeze in some free time to pick up a great book. Lay outside and soak up the warm sun (slather on SPF of course!) with one (or all!) of these great summer reads.

“Water For Elephants” by Sara Gruen


The story takes place during the Depression and is centered on Jacob, a veterinarian who has just lost his parents. Jacob cons his way into a job caring for circus animals. Jacob plunges into the crazy circus world meeting some interesting characters along the way. Eventually, he ends up becoming one of those characters because he is able to save the circus by training a stubborn elephant. This novel came alive this past April through the film of the same name, starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson.

“Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me” by Chelsea’s Family, Friends and Other Victims (and Chelsea Handler)


Chelsea Handler took a different path with her fourth book. Instead of spilling her funny, vodka-soaked and sometimes controversial stories, she gathered a bunch of her friends and family to share anecdotes of how she has duped them. This book will have you laughing out loud at the outrageous tales of the comedienne.

“She Walks In Beauty” by Caroline Kennedy


Caroline Kennedy – yes, that Kennedy – creates an anthology of poems focused on being a woman. Marriage, heartbreak, motherhood, childhood, death and work are among the topics hit in this collection. Sandra Cisneros, Pablo Neruda, W.B Yeats and Queen Elizabeth I are just some of the poets featured. This book is sure to be nothing short of inspiring and touching.

“The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe” by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon


Kamila Sidiqi is a female Afghan teacher who, like other professional women, was sentenced to house arrest when the Taliban captured the city of Kabul. Her father and brother had to escape their home and the Taliban, which left Kamila behind with five dependent siblings. With no other options, Kamila began to make dresses from home and started a booming business. The story of this entrepreneur is not just poignant, it shows another side of Afghanistan – a side that is different from what Americans read and hear about in the news.

By: Lauren Sale | Images: Source, Source, Source, Source, Source