Whenever I’m reading a book for pleasure rather than when a professor assigned it and swore that the entire final exam would be based solely on the book, my life is just better. My every day life drastically improves when I have a book on me (or on my phone) and can read a couple of pages while waiting for a class to start, while I’m in line to buy food, or sitting in an appointment waiting room. The warm-hearted sigh I let out when I’ve finished a particularly well-written chapter, or the aggravated flipping of a page when a mystery novel won’t let me go is so much better than any feeling I receive from using social media.
One of my favorite times to get back into reading is Thanksgiving break. I always try to take advantage of one of the five days out of the year that sitting outside in a sweater is actually bearable, and cozy up with my dog on a chair to read for an hour or two. Picking up a new story during this free-time (let’s be honest, we’re not getting any real work done) can quiet the constant hum of our busy lives when school and work take up most hours of the day. That’s why I’ve rounded up some of my old favorites and new intriguing books to dive into this break, and continue reading into the new year. These are great books you can also incorporate to your Thanksgiving break reads:
1. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
I was so hooked on this story, I read it in three days. It’s a short read, but surely an important one. The dystopian novel, set in the near future explores important themes like women in subjugation to misogyny, systemic sexism, individualism, and patriarchal societies. Recently adapted into a multiple-Emmy-winning Hulu Series that all your friends and family are talking about, the novel is eerily relatable and will have you signing up immediately for your nearest Women’s Rights march, or at least googling petitions to sign online.
2. The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
This book was basically written for die-hard fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on The Train, coincidentally two of my favorite books. This thriller is about a couple who leave their baby alone at home, go to their neighbor’s house when their babysitter cancels on them, and come home to a wide open door and a missing baby. Trust me, it will have you double-guessing your theories until the last page.
3. The Woman I Wanted to Be by Diane Von Furstenberg
Fashion legend DVF has led a fascinating life, and in her book she shares her stories, insights, hardships, and advice about beauty, aging, business, and resilience with readers. The memoir is not a tell-all and DVF keeps quiet about any particular people in the fashion industry, which I found to be charming and a bit frustrating; nevertheless its a worthwhile read for fashion-lovers.
4. In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs by Grace Bonney
This is a book that you don’t have to tackle at once. It features profiles of over 100 women making waves in various industries and career spheres. The collection describes how these women have overcome adversity and hardships, given their all, and pursued their dreams. The book will infuse a lifetime of inspiration into those who aspire to become influencers, CEOs, artists, writers, and more.
Photo Credit: Life With Emily