Midterms are upon us, and some of you, like myself, are impatiently counting down the days until Spring Break. I should probably be studying for my upcoming exams, but instead I keep finding myself at the local library checking out books to read instead of my class materials. So, if you need a few reading suggestions to get you started on your path to productive procrastination (hey, it’s better than binge-watching Netflix, right?), or if you’re looking for a few books to cuddle up with over Spring Break, we’ve got you covered.Â
When asked about their favorite book or what they’re currently reading, this is what our members had to say:
Katie Milliken: “The Martian, by Andy Weir, is really good! I love the way he goes into the hypothetical reasoning and scientific evidence for the events that occur and how to solve them.”
Hannah Ayers: “I really like Before I Fall, by Lauren Oliver, and Looking for Alaska by John Green!! Revolutionary Road, by Richard Yates, is also amazing. It’s kind of simple but it’s devastatingly beautiful. It looks at conformity during the 1950s and kind of looks at mental illness.”
Lauren Fabrizio: “To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, for sure! I’ve read it three times and every time I learn something brand new. It’s such a powerful story and there’s so much to learn from it. Plus, Harper Lee’s writing style is so unique, descriptive, and strong that it just wraps you in. I don’t have a comfort food that I eat when I’m upset; I just reread To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Jian Manganti: “I really love Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro, especially because it deals with the concept of humanity in a very unique way. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, is also wonderful and really beautifully written, and I love the point of view from which the story is told.”
Kelsey Kerr: “A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini, tells the story of women from Afghanistan and their struggles. The characters are from different generations and their stories are each so different based on their circumstances and the historical elements. It’s a lot to remember and it builds upon itself to create an intricate storyline.”
Kelly Dasta: “Definitely The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. The unique voice Charlie has made it so interesting to read. It has many vulnerable characters who’ve been through a lot, which I like because it shows other people with similar struggles that they’re not alone. Also the movie was filmed at my high school!”
Lauren Nace: “The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway!!!”
Elaine Khodzhayan: “The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho – it’s incredibly well written and thought provoking. I also love The Man Who Ate Everything by Jeffrey Steingarten – he is a food critic for Vogue and compiled a bunch of his favorite essays and articles for a foodie dream book, essentially.”
Leah Naomi: “Vonnegut anything!” (We recommend Slaughterhouse-Five.)
Katie Piscopio: “The Colossus of New York by Colson Whitehead! I had to read it for a class last year and I’m currently re-reading it for writing inspiration. You can envision yourself in New York City with Whitehead’s vivid descriptions of the different aspects of the city. It is my writing inspiration because of his attention to detail and the unique shifts in perspectives throughout the book. He took a risk with it, and it made for such a thrilling book.”
As for myself, I’m currently reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which is written by Douglas Adams. It’s really witty but not a super dense book, so it’s great for a quick read. I’ve also been reading my way through the Jodi Picoult books, and if I had to pick one to recommend, it’d probably be Handle With Care or The Plain Truth.
Happy reading!
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