As we head into one of the busiest times of the semester (yay midterms) the last thing on many of our minds is picking up a book to read that isn’t one of our many textbooks or study guides. However, when the time comes for a much needed break this semester I definitely recommend curling up on the couch and reading even one chapter of a book for pleasure to take your mind off the hectic weeks of note taking, cramming for tests, and paper writing. Here’s a collection of some of the different books I’ve recently read that will definitely do the trick:
- The Wife Between Us
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If you love a good psychological thriller, then this is definitely the book for you. It kept me enthralled from beginning to end and had so many twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I definitely did not want to put this book down and it’s probably the fastest I’ve ever finished a book. Goodreads describes the book: “When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.
You will assume you are reading about a jealous ex-wife.
You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement – a beautiful, younger woman who is about to marry the man they both love.
You will assume you know the anatomy of this tangled love triangle.
Assume nothing.
Twisted and deliciously chilling, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen’s The Wife Between Us exposes the secret complexities of an enviable marriage – and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.” - The Happiness Advantage
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This book was written by Shawn Achor, the founder of GoodThink Inc. and is a major advocate of positive psychology. He focuses on The Tetris Effect, Social Investment, and The Ripple Effect to show how “small shifts in our mind-set and habits can produce big gains at work, at home, and elsewhere”. It’s definitely far from a work of fiction but is so informative if you’re interested in maximizing happiness and mindfulness in your life.
- A Man Called Ove
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I’ll be honest, this book definitely made me cry on multiple occasions. It’s totally heartwarming and emotional and will make you want to hold those you love just a little closer to your heart after reading. It follows, yes, a man called Ove who on the exterior comes off as a grumpy old neighbor, but on the inside holds a sad story and a big heart. You see a beautiful relationship blossom between Ove and his new neighbors.
- Love and Lemons Everyday Cookbook
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Okay, so I know this isn’t a standard book but for those who prefer to read cookbooks and experiment in the kitchen I totally recommend this one. It’s full of beautifully shot, fresh new recipes that are super easy to make and super nourishing as well. It’s vegetarian, vegan and gluten free friendly and provides additional substitutions and recommendations for each recipe as well.
- The Silent Patient
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Another great thriller that leaves you guessing until the end. Goodreads describes the book: “Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.
Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.
Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him… “