Finals season is officially upon us, meaning the net stress level on campus is officially through the roof. With the library being open 24 hours and signs of “quiet hours” plastered all throughout dormitories, it’s safe to say that the one thing everyone has on their mind is work. What we are forgetting is that in one about one week it will be summer, a time of sun and some much needed relaxation. Whether you have an internship or are just lounging on the beach, here are some summer reads you’ll want to stick in your bag and fit in your day wherever you go.
1. Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty
Photo courtesy of thetravelhack.com.
For your twisty beach read, this book turned HBO TV show is a must. This book follows three women in a cushy beachside community, all with their own scandals and secrets. Starting off with a mystery and leaving you to unravel it with time, this book is captivating and will keep you on your toes the whole time. Not to mention, its HBO casting is beautifully done and will be a joy to watch when you’re finished.
2. Exit West: A Novel – Mohsin Hamid
Photo courtesy of npr.org.
A book that’s new on the scene but already being praised as an instant New York Times bestseller, Exit West is a book you’re going to want to jump on. Exit West is a love story set in a country on the brink of war (think: Syria), and it follows an electric young couple as they are forced to navigate away from their homeland while holding tightly to the pieces of themselves and each other. Brilliantly written and very current, this is a book you won’t want to put down.
3. Hillbilly Elegy – JD Vance
Photo courtesy of therevivalist.com.
If you’re looking for intellectual stimulation, this memoir will do the trick. JD Vance explores the roller coaster of social class mobility in America and utilizes his own personal history of a middle-class background to graduating Yale Law School to guide readers through the hidden dark side of the American dream. A number one NYT’s bestseller list and named by the Times as one of “6 books to help understand Trump’s win,” this book is perfect for starting to understand the current social climate in America, as well as being a pleasant and surprisingly funny read along the way.
Good luck with finals, and let the thought of a wonderful and stress free pleasure read carry you through the next week!