Beyond college visits and volunteering, your summer break is in need of some TLC and relaxation. For many of us, nothing says downtime better than some solid “me” time with a book under the summer sun. Don’t know what to read? And don’t want to spend the time searching the web and crowdsourcing recs from your friends? 

Look no further! Our RaiseMe Ambassador, Monse Peña, has you covered with her coveted summer reading list. 

My Summer Reading List 

From Monse Peña

1. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

American Psycho is the story told from the perspective of serial killer/ Manhattan business man Patrick Bateman during the Wall Street boom of the late 1980’s. 

**Warning ⚠️⚠️⚠️Some countries deem it potentially disturbing, read at your own risk**

Quote: “…there is an idea of a Patrick Bateman, some kind of abstraction, but there is no real me, only an entity, something illusory, and though I can hide my cold gaze and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable: I simply am not there.”

2. No Visible Bruises by Rachel Louise Snyder

Snyder writes about all hidden aspects of domestic abuse, but instead she prefers to use the words “intimate partner terrorism.” She writes about stories and sons realizes domestic abuse is the hidden common theme in each story. There are several levels of domestic abuse and she unfolds them perfectly. 

Quote: “ This Person You Love Will Take Your Life.”

3. Out East by John Glynn

Out East is a memoir on a transformational summer. It’s a beautiful coming-of-age story and is somehow relatable. I personally am trying to make this summer an unforgettable one full of constant learning and amazing memories. I think reading this memoir will open up my eyes to new lights that I was previously blind to and help me make this summer the one I desire. 

Quote: “The beaches were sweeping and majestic, and the town had a surfery charm.”

What are you reading this summer? Email community@raise.me with your list for the chance to be featured on our blog and social media accounts (@raise.me on Instagram). 

Samantha Schulte

Samantha writes on topics facing students and parents for RaiseMe. She hopes her pieces can help equip students with the information they need to get to their best fit college. Outside of RaiseMe, you can find Samantha reading, writing more, and getting outside to explore all that the Bay Area has to offer.