I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of picture books. As a child, If You Give a Moose a Muffin and Oh, The Places You’ll Go were frequent reads atop my book pile (because who doesn’t love illustrated books about food and traveling?! A.K.A a dream come true for me) When you grow up however, this joyous experience of story-telling pictures ceases to exist because, no, a biology textbook is not what most people would classify as a preferred read. Sometimes books with pictures are just FUN! I’m all about short, light reads that make me happy (and I’m not talking about Hermione Granger’s definition of light reading) and recently I’ve read a couple of awesome illustrated books perfect for college students! BRING ON THE DOODLES.
1. The Roommate Book by Becky Simpson
I know what you’re probably thinking and this book is not your typical list of successful roommate relationship tips (However, be sure to check out this article for some top-notch HC Gustavus roomie tips). In the words of Simpson, The Roommate Book is “a celebration of roommate life. It’s not an account of horror stories or worst-case scenarios; it’s an homage to the best of times that have outlived the leases with which they started. It’s a reminder to make the most of the moments to come.”
Full of random question prompts (like “What three people that you’ve met less than three times would you want to be your bandmates?”), quizzes on spirit animals and what houseplant you identify most with, and even suggestions for making a time capsule and the best possible blanket fort. How cool is that?!
Plus, the best part…SO MANY PICTURES!
The Roommate Book makes for an entertaining, educational, and overall funny read. Becky Simpson’s book teaches useful skills for cooperating in the greatest way with your roomie through countless pages of goodies.
2. Adulthood is a Myth: A “Sarah Scribbles” collection by Sarah Andersen
Written similarly to a comic book, Adulthood is a Myth showcases a new comic on EVERY PAGE! Whether there’s a sketch about the realities of awkward run-ins with high school classmates now that you’re graduated or how quickly your $200 paycheck dwindles down to pocket change, this book is so worth the read! I found myself audibly laughing every time I turned the page.
Majority of the scribbles in Sarah’s collection are things that I had never even realized that other people experienced too, like how annoying slow walkers are on campus or how I’m not the only one who constantly runs out of conditioner before shampoo. (Truly, what’s the deal with that?)
And once again the most beautiful aspect of this book…PICTURES! Books are just so much more boring without them and Sarah Andersen uses doodles on every single page happily.
I highly recommend picking up one of these books to flip through—I can guarantee you that you’ll have some laughs.
Happy reading! HCXO!