Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is number one on the New York Times bestsellers list. It is set in the 1932 circus scene. Jacob Jankowski, a recently orphaned and nearly graduated veterinary school student, jumps aboard a train carrying a struggling circus crew. Put in charge of a seemingly untrainable elephant named Rosie, he soon forms a relationship with her. Throughout the story, he falls in love with a circus performer Marlena, and the novel follows the love birds’ struggle as circus folk during the Great Depression.
Fox 2000 Pictures released the film adaptation in April starring the beautiful Reese Witherspoon as Marlena and hottie Robert Pattinson as Jacob.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett is also on the New York Times bestsellers list. Set in 1962, we meet three strong-willed women: Skeeter, a 22-year-old Ole Miss graduate whose mother won’t be happy until she is engaged. Aibileen, a maid who has spent her life raising other people’s children and dealing with the death of her own son. And Minny, the best cook in town, whose loud mouth keeps her from keeping a job for long. These three women come from very different backgrounds, but come together to overcome the hardships they face on a daily basis.
This book has also been turned into a movie that will be released in August. The film stars Easy A’s Emma Stone as Skeeter.
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin is another book-turned-movie. Most of you have probably seen previews for this one since it came out this month, but I’ve heard that the book is even better. I am dying to both read the book and see the movie.
Something Borrowed is the story of Rachel, a perpetual “good girl” that not only sleeps with, but also falls in love with her best friend’s fiancé. As the wedding approaches, she has to make a decision – who is more important: her best friend or the love of her life?
How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World by Jordan Christy is all about class. With the Paris Hiltons and Lindsay Lohans taking over pop culture, I think we collegiettes™ often forget that we still can be classy instead of trashy. This book covers how to live a lifestyle inspired by Audrey and Katherine Hepburn, all class, all the way. As seniors leaving behind our crazy college days behind, I think it is important that we all learn how to have a little class in our lives.
Whether you want something entertaining, romantic, inspiring, or just flat out informative, I hope you find something you like on this list. All of my choices are lighthearted enough for summer reading, but I hope they will still teach us a little bit about the world, history, and ourselves. Happy summer, collegiettes™!
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Purchase all of these novels on Amazon:
Water for Elephants
The Help
Something Borrowed
How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World