Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
placeholder article
placeholder article

Books You Have to Read Over Winter Break

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Maddie Schmitz
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Caitlin Mann
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BC chapter.

Welcome to finals, collegiettes!  Though the magic of the holiday season is slightly tainted by these unwanted gifts, we know that the light at the end of the tunnel is fast approaching.  With the arrival of Winter Break comes many things, such as a long-anticipated trip home, the opportunity to eat ungodly amounts of Christmas cookies, and a little (much-deserved) free time.  Though you’re probably still decompressing from the absurd amount of required reading this semester has thrust upon you, it’s comforting to know that the ability to read for pleasure (gasp!) will soon be returned to us.  We are frothing at the mouth (or just enjoying the froth of a nice gingerbread latte) at the thought of getting our hands on a novel we actually want to read.  Looking for a book to enjoy whilst sitting by the fireplace, covered by a tartan plaid blanket and the faint whisper of holiday music lingering somewhere in the distance?  Like always, Her Campus BC has got you covered.  Check out these literary gems over break!

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

If you love shows such as Revenge or Pretty Little Liars, this cerebral suspense novel will have you hooked from the first chapter.  Nick Dunne comes home on his fifth wedding anniversary to find his wife, Amy, missing.  After initially exploding in panic, the police notice that he is much less concerned about her disappearance than a husband ought to be.  Nick professes his innocence, but is there more to the story? Excerpts from Amy’s diary, as well as Nick’s own confessions, reveal an interesting (and somewhat twisted) series of mind games each spouse plays with the other, informing the reader that innocence is never a black and white issue.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Even though this book was written over a decade ago, the recent release of the feature film version has reaffirmed its status as a must-read.   The book is narrated by a series of letters and diary entries by Charlie, a high-school student who suffers from depression.  It is at once heartwarming and tragic, and is sure to draw you in and refuse to let go.  As an added bonus, Emma Watson stars in the film version, which you can watch after finishing the book (and we LOVE Emma Watson).

Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

If you’re a lover of beach reads and girly novels, check out writer Emily Giffin’s book about a married doctor who is caught off guard by his attraction to a young patient’s mother.  Alternating between the mother and the doctor’s wife’s perspective, this Boston-based book challenges the stability of relationships and the assumption that the “other woman” is always the one to blame.  Even though Heart of the Matter is highly emotionally charged, it is not indulgent or superficial; it looks at relationships in a realistic way and encourages the reader to do the same.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Are you still behind the boat on this trilogy craze?  Break is the perfect time to get caught up in the Hunger Games mania and finally figure out who the heck Katniss Everdeen is.

Reread a Classic

Don’t underestimate the power of a classic; they have been read by thousands of people for a reason.  Even if you begrudgingly read one of these in your ninth grade English class, give it a second look.  You may be surprised just how much you like a book you thought you hated seven years ago. Some suggestions:

  • The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  • A Little Princess or The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

BONUS: All of these books have movie versions; after reading them, have a movie night with your friends/sisters/etc. to re-watch the film adaptations.

BONUS BONUS: The new adaptation of The Great Gatsby comes out next spring, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey McGuire, and Carey Mulligan.  Très exciting.

We hope you enjoy your luxuriously long winter breaks, and hope you enjoy these literary delights!  

 

Photo Sources:

http://images.indiebound.com/364/588/9780307588364.jpg

http://img.sparknotes.com/content/sparklife/sparktalk/perkstrailer_LargeWide.jpg

http://jsjacobs.scripts.mit.edu/evenjoshknows/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/katniss-everdeen-costume.jpg

http://artsmeme.images-istarnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/the-great-gatsby-original-dustjacket.jpg

http://www.thefrontporchview.com/files/2007/11/fireplace-20reading-small.jpg

 

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar
Maddie is a senior at Boston College, where she spends her days fawning over literature and Art History textbooks. She was previously an editorial intern at Her Campus, and is now a HC contributing writer and blogger. Follow her on twitter @madschmitz for a collection of vaguely amusing tweets. 
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar
Caitlin is currently a student at Boston College studying English and Pre-Law.  At BC, she is a member of the Boston College Irish Dance Club, on the Honors Program Student Executive Board's Community Service Committee, and interns and writes for the fashion and culture blog Rusted Revolution.  She has been wriring for Her Campus BC since Jaunary 2011 and is serving as BC's Campus Correspondent for the 2012-2013 school year.  Outside of school, she is a competitive Irish dancer, and has been dancing for 18 years. During her high school career, she completed an engineering project at Case Western Reserve University that made her one of 40 Intel Science Talent Search Finalists in 2009.   In addition to all of this, Caitlin loves reading, yoga, running, shopping, spending time with friends and family, and traveling.