1. Looking For Alaska by John Green
“Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words–and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the ‘Great Perhaps.’ Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps.”
johngreenbooks.com/looking-for-alaska/
Looking For Alaska was John Green’s first novel. While it is perhaps not as marketable as his recently adapted The Fault In Our Stars (which I also recommend), it is in some ways more real. The characters will capture your imagination and steal your heart. Though the first few chapters may be difficult to get into, stick with the story. Trust me – you will not be disappointed.
2. Divergent by Veronica Roth
“In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.”
http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/p/books.html
Divergent is the only book on this list that I have not already read, but it is at the top of my list. Seriously, it’s waiting for me on my Kindle. You may have heard your friends say that if you enjoyed The Hunger Games (um, who didn’t?) then you will not be able to put Divergent down. The movie comes out on March 21 – shortly after we return from spring break. I plan to read Divergent as soon as possible, and you should too!
3. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
“In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Mindy invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls. Mindy Kaling really is just a Girl Next Door—not so much literally anywhere in the continental United States, but definitely if you live in India or Sri Lanka.”
http://theconcernsofmindykaling.com/the-book
If you’re looking for something less fiction-y, then Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? is the way to go. Mindy Kaling’s personality really shines through in her hilarious and relatable autobiography. Be careful reading this one on the flight to your spring break destination, though, because I guarantee that you will find yourself laughing out loud.
4. Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris
“A guy walks into a bar car and…
From here the story could take many turns. When this guy is David Sedaris, the possibilities are endless, but the result is always the same: he will both delight you with twists of humor and intelligence and leave you deeply moved.”
http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Explore-Diabetes-David-Sedaris/dp/0316154695
David Sedaris’s newest collection of personal essays is a great addition to his other works. Funny and touching, Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls is a book you can read wherever you are. Whether you are spending spring break at home or away, in the snow or on the beach, Sedaris will be there to keep you entertained.
5. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
“Macy’s summer stretches before her, carefully planned and outlined. She will spend her days sitting at the library information desk. She will spend her evenings studying for the SATs. Spare time will be used to help her obsessive mother prepare for the big opening of the townhouse section of her luxury development. But Macy’s plans don’t anticipate a surprising and chaotic job with Wish Catering, a motley crew of new friends, or … Wes. Tattooed, artistic, anything-but-expected Wes. He doesn’t fit Macy’s life at all–so why does she feel so comfortable with him? So … happy? What is it about him that makes her let down her guard and finally talk about how much she misses her father, who died before her eyes the year before?”
http://sarahdessen.com/book/the-truth-about-forever/
Though Sarah Dessen’s books take place in the summer, the themes of love and loss are relatable all year round. Plus, her tale of summer love gives us something to look forward to! This is probably my favorite of her novels, and I highly recommend reading it. The Truth About Forever is a page-turner that will leave you with the all-too-familiar, bittersweet dilemma: you won’t want the story to end, but you won’t be able to stop reading.