How can I choose a summer reading book?

We hope the advice below might be helpful, not only for summer reading, but also for choosing books in the future. When you choose a book for free extensive reading (not assigned reading), it is very important that you can enjoy reading the book without stress. As you read more, your reading ability and speed will improve!

Of course, if your teachers have required a certain book or type of book, you'll need to adhere to that.

With that in mind, here are some general points of advice:

1. Always make sure you have a chance to read the first few pages of the book before you buy it. Get a sense of the story line and level of difficulty. If it seems difficult or uninteresting, try another one. Amazon.com usually allows a preview of the first pages, but ideally you should check out the actual paper book at Kinokuniya or another bookstore.
   
2. Talk to a variety of people to get recommendations. Hopefully this website will be useful to read some recommendations. Also, trying talking with your teacher or professor or with older ICU students.
   
3. Don't be afraid to abandon a book if you decide you do not like it. You can always read it in the future when your reading ability improves! Just find another book. We hope you will find a book that you cannot stop reading!