Five Must Read Books This Summer!

In light of our Summer Reading Challenge, Al Jalees proudly presents five essential reads for the season — stories chosen not only for their literary intensity, but for their ability to encourage deep thought and meaningful dialogue.

Al Jalees believes that reading is your ticket to a path to empathy, depth, and self-discovery. This year, we invite you to look beyond the familiar, to explore genres you might not usually pick up, and to dive into stories that speak volumes about time, culture, and experience. Whether you prefer fiction tied in mystery or heartful memoirs that question the soul, these five books were carefully chosen to challenge and ignite conversation.

Let these books be your companions this summer — as you reflect, discuss, and venture into the unknown with all the fellow members of the Al Jalees community.

1

The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz

In Barcelona, post-war, young Daniel stumbles upon a forgotten novel in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books — a discovery that plunges him in a dark mystery involving love, betrayal, and the intense power of stories. As Daniel searches for the truth behind the book’s elusive author, he unravels a web of secrets that mirror his own life.

We recommend The Shadow of the Wind for its lush, gothic feel and depth of the literature. Zafón skillfully crafts a literary maze filled with romance, and intrigue, making it a perfect choice for readers who appreciate complex characters and layered perspectives.

2

Educated, Tara Westover

Tara Westover’s childhood was marked by deep isolation as she was raised by survivalist parents in rural Idaho which largely cut her off from formal schooling as well as the outside world. In her memoir, she tells the remarkable tale of how she went from living in seclusion to attaining a PhD at Cambridge University.

Educated serves as a profound reminder of how deeply self-education along with belief can impact someone. Westover portrays in her writing an unmistakable honesty combined with evident intellectual transparency, revealing her inner conflict between devotion to one's roots and yearning for personal independence. This memoir bears witness to the intersection of resilience and identity along with exploring the intricate relationship between family bonds and individual truths, themes that indeed transcend boundaries.

3

The Island of Missing Trees, Elif Shafak

This novel is set against the backdrop of ravaged Cyprus and modern day London, and traces the lives of two teenagers from a divided island along with a fig tree that witnesses years of love, trauma, and migration. Using a botanical narrator amid shifting timelines, Shafak illuminates how many histories – personal and collective – intertwine across generations.

For us, The Island of Missing Trees stood out for its beautiful prose as well as profound insights into displacement, memory, and identity. With this book, multicultural reading circles are brought to life because there is Shafak’s distinct narrative voice which serves as a bridge between cultures and identities. The story also invites deep consideration about healing, the connection to nature, and the quiet resilience of the natural world.

4

The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown

Social scientist Brené Brown uses the concepts of courage and vulnerability as the basis for her research. She has spent decades studying relatable topics such as shame, belonging, and communities to form guideposts that aid one spiritually towards 'wholehearted living'.

We especially cherish this work because its teachings transcend traditional self-improvement literature. Other than being moving, it is a collection of ideas merged through keen observations which makes it intellectual and beautiful in its description of humanity. It invites us to seek genuine change not tethered to our imperfections, urging reflection around these ideas alongside others in book clubs or deeper conversations over coffee.

5

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Steinbeck’s epic integrates the intertwined fates of the Trask and Hamilton families to showcase California’s Salinas Valley in a story that spans generations. It also portrays the themes of good and evil, family legacy and moral choice. Inspired by Cain and Abel, the novel examines humanity's deepest shadows while acknowledging redemption.

This work is considered one of America's literary masterpieces for its profound emotional breadth, intricate morality, multifaceted symbolism, and richly woven themes such as free will versus inherited sin. Thoughtful readers looking to navigate existential dilemmas are bound to relish this thought-provoking tale. It is a novel best savored multiple times as it continues to resonate with readers long after turning the last page.

Have you read any of the above titles? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below.