5 Magical Books to Break Up Your Routine

Ashley Lessa Student Contributor, Emerson College

Emerson Contributor Student Contributor, Emerson College

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Emerson chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

College is hard. Sometimes we wish we could leave it behind and go somewhere without quite so many responsibilities. If an enchanted castle or simply a world with more possibilities sounds perfect as your “happy place,” give one of these five magical reads a try! Remind yourself that reading can be fun when it’s not out of a 40 pound textbook.

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus is an adult fantasy novel that is simply delightful to read. Dueling magicians, enchanted clocks, jumping kittens and deep romance make up this colorful book that has all of the joy of your childhood favorites written in a more mature manner. The Night Circus makes readers feel as though maybe magic is real after all.

2. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

A personal childhood favorite, Inkheart is sure to be a hit with any book lover. If you think the ability to jump into your favorite books sounds amazing, you’re sure to enjoy living in the Ink World. It’s also the first in a trilogy, so if you like it there’s even more to read!

3. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Also part of a children’s trilogy, The Golden Compass hardly seems childlike with its very dark themes and more politically driven undertones. If you’re looking for a more thrilling escape or even just a fantasy that makes you think, this book is worth a read. There are still plenty of fantastical elements like talking animals and objects as well if you’d like to save the deep thinking for class hours.

4. Terrier by Tamora Pierce

Love a strong female lead? Terrier, the first book of the Rebekah Cooper series features a strong police woman in an ancient world as the lead; she just happens to also talk to the souls of the dead through pigeons when solving crimes. (It is far cooler than it sounds.) If you find yourself torn between crime dramas and Grimm when you flip through the channels, this may be a good choice for you.

5. Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

This final novel isn’t exactly a fantasy novel, but it is a more magical option for the realists among us who think that scientific possibility is a sort of magic of its own. Follow Dellarobia Turnbow, a decidedly ordinary young mother as she discovers herself among the hundreds of monarchs that have descended on her property in Flight Behavior.

I hope you are able to take time out of your busy week to pick up a book or two from this list and check out of reality for a while. Give yourself a break! Who knows, you may even pick up a little creative inspiration.