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Books may not catch people’s eye at first glance, but reading can definitely be worth it if given the chance. Especially in times like when quarantine hit and everyone was stuck at home, reading can be something to get into! Or get back into for those who have been busy.
One of my favorite books is Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café by Fannie Flagg. This book definitely did not turn out to be what it seemed. Diving in, it is about two women: one is in a midlife crisis, and the other older woman is telling her life story, which takes place in Alabama. There are other characters to fall in love with, but this goes back and forth through different events. This book is filled with love, laughter, and even murder. I highly recommend it.
Of course another fan favorite is The Great Gatsby. Set in New York during the Jazz Age, this books tells the unfortunate story of Jay Gatsby, an eccentric and flamboyant millionaire, and his pursuit of the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. The story is told by one of Gatsby’s neighbors, Nick Carraway, who recently moved from the Midwest to Long Island. He takes notice of Gatsby, who hosts weekly shindigs at his mansion, and a friendship sparks between the two of them. This novel reinforces the idea that money cannot buy happiness and that money is not everything to pursue in this world. It makes us think about the “Great American Dream” and ponder if money and material possessions are really the most important things in our lives.
Another super cute novel is a book called Park and Eleanor by Rainbow Rowell. Eleanor is the new girl in town, and with her chaotic family life, mismatched clothes, and unruly red hair, she couldn’t stick out more if she tried. Park is the boy at the back of the bus: black T-shirts, headphones, head in a book—he thinks he’s made himself invisible. But not to Eleanor… never to Eleanor. Slowly, steadily, through late-night conversations and an ever-growing stack of mix tapes, Eleanor and Park fall for each other. They fall in love the way you do the first time, when you’re young, and you feel as if you have nothing and everything to lose. This book is so heartwarming and guaranteed to be hard to put down.
Reading books can provide us with a positive escape from reality, and there are many other real benefits that come along with reading as well. Reading makes your brain active while promoting your mental health. It can also reduce stress, and as a full time college student, this is a big bonus. Take a break from homework to read 10 pages, or set a timer for fifteen minutes to help refocus. Reading about different instances or other people’s lives can also aid in increased empathy, which can be beneficial for strengthening relationships. So pause, take a break, and grab a book!