Throughout my life, I have been an avid reader. When I was in elementary school the scholastic book fair was the highlight of the year, in middle school I actually looked forward to going to book club, and trips to Barnes & Noble are equally as exciting as trips to the mall. There’s something about reading that not only allows me to escape to other places but also sparks my own creativity. Now as a college student, reading for pleasure has become more difficult but I still make a point to at least read a few books throughout the semester. Since we are nearing spring break now is the perfect time to share a few books I’ve read in college that I cannot stop thinking about.
- A Little Life
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The author Hanya Yanagihara immerses readers in the life of four friends, Willem Ragnarsson, Malcolm Irvine, Jean-Baptiste Marion, and Jude St. Francis, as they navigate living and working in New York post-grad. The story starts out simple and covers mundane moments such as the group going out to dinner and attending parties, but once the book starts to solely focus on Jude, it takes an unexpected and dark turn. It’s hard putting how I feel about this book into words. I experienced a range of emotions while reading, dog-eared pages and had specific songs I would play to accompany each chapter (sidenote: Heaven by Clairo will enhance your reading experience). “A Little Life” simultaneously moved me and broke my heart and I recommend it to anyone who needs a new book to read.
- The Binding
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This book holds a special place in my heart. While studying abroad I wandered into a bookshop and saw “The Binding” by Bridget Collins being displayed. Since I was in London at the time, I wanted something to read on the tube and I also wanted to read a book by a British author; “The Binding” ticked off both of those requirements. Without giving too much away, “The Binding” focuses on Emmett, who seems to have suffered from a mysterious ailment and cannot continue doing his farm chores. He is sent away from his family farm to become an apprentice to a binder of books. In this reality, when someone goes to a binder they are hoping to have painful memories erased. Once a story is bounded in a book the person is free of the memory and can continue on as if it hadn’t happened. While learning about the binding trade, Emmett regains his health and toils away making endpapers and gilding, and there is only one rule he has to follow: to not enter the room that stores all the bound books. Everything changes once his curiosity is piqued and Emmett finds a book with his name on it. Buy this novel if you want to read something unconventional this spring break.
- Everything I Never Told You
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Written by Celeste Ng (author of “Little Fires Everywhere”), “Everything I Never Told You” delves into the lives of the Lee family after the body of their favorite child Lydia is found in the local lake. While there are elements of a typical thriller (dead body, straight-A student, local bad boy), to me the novel is truly about how our family members, specifically our parents, shape our lives. It’s an in-depth analysis of grief and how our choices affect our lives for years to come. Ng is a terrific writer and although she only has two full-length novels under her belt, I consider her to be one of the best writers out right now. Grab this book and read it during your flight, the time will surely fly by.
- The Husband’s Secret
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Liane Moriarty (author of “Big Little Lies”) pulls readers in with her fifth novel, a story about love, marriage and the exposing of secrets. “The Husband’s Secret” focuses on three women: businesswoman and mother Cecilia Fitzpatrick, recently separated Tess O’Leary, and widow Rachel Crowley, who are more intertwined than even they know. One day, Cecilia Fitzpatrick finds a letter from her husband that reads, “My darling Cecilia, If you’re reading this, then I’ve died…” The only problem is her husband is still alive, and when Cecilia decides to read what’s inside there are life-changing effects. If you need something to read while lounging by the pool then this is the book for you.
Yes, spring break is only a week but the books on this list are recommended reading for any time of the year. Don’t let your workload this semester stop you from enjoying all the amazing books that are out there waiting for you.