I have always loved reading since I was a little kid, thanks to mom and elementary school teachers, but being in college it can be hard to make time for fun reading. I really dove back into reading this time last year when we were stuck inside a lot. Now I find myself reading every night, reading on lunch breaks, and even sometimes in the morning. I really enjoy romances, classics, mysteries, historical fiction, and the occasional non-fiction. So, here is a list of my recent favorite reads. The descriptions do not have spoilers.
1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
First published in 1943, this autobiographical novel by Betty Smith is about an adolescent girl Francie Nolan and her family living in the slums of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City, during the first two decades of the 20th century. This is deemed a classic by many. I will be honest it is a little bit of a slow read at first, but it does not disappoint overall and I would definitely recommend it.
2. Light on Snow by Anita Shreve
Published in 2004, the fiction book is about the young girl Nicky Dillon and her widowed father that live in northern New Hampshire. Her dad has his own business at their house making furniture. Every day when Nicky gets home on the school bus she and her father take a walk on the same trail in the woods. When they reach the top of a hill they turn around to head home because it is already starting to get dark out since it is the middle of the winter. One day they are about to head back, but the unaccepted happens and they hear a baby crying in the woods and then a car door slam. You will have to read the book to find out more. Fun fact about Anita Shreve she has written many books and most are based in New Hampshire or Massachusetts because she lives in Massachusetts.
3. The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve
Published in 1997 this is a bestselling novel by Anita Shreve. Half of the novel is historical fiction based on the Smuttynose Island murders, which took place in 1873. The book was adapted for a film of the same name, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, and released in 2000. Even though it is mostly a fictional story with fictional characters, there are letters and true facts sprinkled in the book about the Smuttynose Island murders that happened in 1873. Overall, this book was good, but I personally do not like how the book ended. Definitely, a plot twist ending in the last few pages.
4. Summer Shift by Lynn Kiele Bonasia
Originally published in 2010, this book is about forty-four-year-old Cape Cod clam shack owner Mary Hopkins who is stuck in the cycle of her seasonal business, overwhelmed by the relentless influx of new employees, and she feels as if life is passing her by. In the first days of the summer season, a young waitress’s tragic accident stirs up unresolved pain from her past. At the same time, Mary’s life is further mixed up as she begins to suspect her beloved great-aunt, the one person in the world who loves her unconditionally has Alzheimer’s disease. Then, in walks Dan, a lost love, returning to the Cape after disappearing years before without an explanation. Definitely a quick and fun read!
5. American Royals I & II by Katherine McGee
These two are my most favorite recent reads. The first book was released in 2019 and the second one is 2020, so hopefully, there is more to the story. It is completely fiction and the story starts out with the American Revolution and George Washington being asked if he wants to be king of America and he says yes! Over two hundred years later and the monarchy is still run by the Washington family. The books are in the perspective of four girls. Princess Beatrice, the first child, so the heir to the thrown. Princess Samantha, the spare since she was the second child. Nina, Sam’s best friend, and lastly the mean and horrible Daphne. If you want to meet more of the characters, you will have to read the books! Also, if you want to hear more about the book, check out my podcast I do with another Lasell student and Lasell Alum where we talk about our favorite books. It is called Shelfmates podcast and it is available on Spotify, Apple podcasts, and Google podcasts.
6. Princess Diaries Volume I
I recently listened to the audiobook version of this and it is read by Anne Hathaway! The was the first audiobook I have ever done and it was a lot of fun. Surprisingly, the book is a lot different from the movie. A huge difference is they live in New York City, not San Fransico. It is still a super cute book about Mia founding out she is a Princess on top of tackling what a lot of freshmen have to struggle through; algebra, liking the popular boy, best friend drama, and a mean girl. There are ten books to the series, and the two movies actually cover all of them.