The summer before post-secondary is a time of anticipation, transition, and (let’s be honest) nerves. Whether you’re heading to university, college, or taking a gap year, this is a unique moment to invest in yourself, not through coursework or applications, but through the power of reading and reflection.
The books on this list were selected for their depth, diversity, and relevance. They offer more than great storytelling — they prompt big questions, explore identity, and provide insight into everything from cultural history to personal resilience. Whether you’re diving into literary fiction or graphic memoir, these reads will help you expand your thinking, hone your empathy, and approach the next stage of your journey with a stronger, more grounded perspective.
Fiction
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
Born under the same sky, on the same day and hour, Anna Wintour and Emery Steines are astral twins. But when these two young travellers meet on the deck of a boat taking them to the South Island, New Zealand, they are unaware that they share a destiny. It is this young couple’s encounters and fate which is at the heart of this novel. The year is 1866, and the gold rush is at its height in New Zealand. Twelve men, each represented by a zodiac sign, come together as a makeshift jury to decide the fate of an individual accused of murder. Catton’s beautifully written novel highlights the inequality and hardships faced by women and ethnic minorities during this period of history.
The Dune series by Frank Herbert
Frank Herbert’s epic series follows House Atreides–a Major House within the intergalactic Padishah Empire–and their rise to power on Arrakis, the planet more commonly known as Dune. Concerned with politics, religion, and colonization, Herbert, inspired by his time as a speech writer in Washington, D.C. in the 50s, explores the phenomenon of the cult of personality. As the series develops, the philosophical exploration of political and religious ideologies grips the thoughtful reader, enough to make it through several 900+ page novels.
A 19th-century novel or a Shakespeare play
Though these texts can feel far detached from the contemporary student’s lived experience and use of language, 19th-century and Shakespearean literature is a must-read for two reasons: to witness the transcendental nature of the human experience and to develop one’s own writing. Authors include: Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, Louisa May Alcott, Mary Shelley, Oscar Wilde, Alexander Dumas, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Leo Tolstoy, Mark Twain, and Charles Dickens.
Graphic Memoir
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
In this deeply personal graphic memoir, Alison Bechdel examines her childhood, her complicated relationship with her father, and her journey toward self-acceptance. With sharp humour and stunning artwork, Fun Home is a powerful exploration of family, identity, and coming of age.
Leaving high school means stepping into greater independence and greater uncertainty. The books on this list won’t give you all the answers, but they will help you ask better questions. They’ll challenge you, move you, and maybe even change how you see yourself or the world.
Whatever your path, make space this summer for deep reading. Let a novel, a memoir, or a poem keep you company while you travel, work, or rest. These stories will help prepare not just your mind for what’s ahead, but your heart too.
Looking for books for younger students? Check out our recommendations for grade 8s, 9s, 10s, 11s, and 12s.
