With Memorial Day just behind us, many of you are likely starting your summer internships this week. If so, congrats! I know that this week marks the beginning of what is sure to be an extremely busy summer balancing two internships, studying for the LSAT in July (yikes!), and babysitting for extra cash - I'm exhausted already just thinking about it!

But I have other personal goals I'm hoping to achieve during the break from classes and one of those is knocking out a decent chunk of my summer reading list. My bookshelves are groaning from the weight of the dozens of books I've picked up this year and I'm excited to take advantage of my commute to work every day and squeeze in a little extra reading time.

Here are just a few of the books at the top of my personal reading list for this summer:

Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right by Jane Mayer

I took a class on First Amendment Values a few semesters ago and we were assigned a few chapters of Jane Mayer's Dark Money in order to discuss the ways in which money and speech have become intertwined in our political system. 

Unlike many political science texts I have to read, Mayer's work had me hooked from the first few pages and I knew I had to read the rest of the book on my own time. Dark Money dives into our political landscape post-Citizens United and illuminates not only how we got to this point, but where we go from here. This is a must-read for anyone interested in campaign finance reform.

China Rich Girlfriend & Rich People Problems (Books 2 & 3 of Kevin Kwan's "Crazy Rich Asians" Trilogy)

From Left to Right: China Rich Girlfriend, Book 2 - Amazon; Rich People Problems, Book 3 - Amazon

I've already suggested the first book in Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy (I mentioned it in my books inspired by summer activities list), and after devouring the first of the series in less than a week, I'm hoping to read the next two by the end of the month. 

Kwan's characters are seriously laugh-out-loud funny and I love how in-depth Kwan describes the lives of Singapore's rich and famous. It's funny to read this book, as I visited Singapore several years ago and my stay was far less luxurious than what's depicted in this text. (Guess you have to know the right people!)

The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck

I first picked up The Women in the Castle while I was home for winter break and I was instantly interested because of the book's post-WWII setting and focus on the lives of female friendships. It was only available in hardback at the time and since I'm on a college student budget (#rip) I had to wait for this summer to read this title. I can't wait to devour it over the months ahead. 

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

This pick comes from Emma Watson herself! Watson started a feminist book club, Our Shared Shelf, back in 2016 and while I haven't followed it as religiously as I would've liked to, I do love seeing the books that she suggests each month.

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race caught my interest not only for its provocative title but for its focus on race relations from a British author. I'm hoping to read this book this summer to broaden my understanding of racial oppression and further explore the ways in which I can address these issues in my own life.

What do you think?

What books are on your summer reading list? Any mandatory titles you have to read for class? How are you planning on making the most of your summer despite a busy schedule? Let me know in the comments below!