Spring break is almost here and what better way to spend it than catching up on your reading? Whether you are on a warm beach laying in the sun, or cuddled up inside while it snows, reading is the perfect way to get lost in a story and forget all about the second half of the semester ahead. Below I have selected some of my favorite books, and some on my to-read list, divided into categories for every mood.
If you are looking to laugh…
1. Bossypants- Tina Fey
This is Tina Fey’s autobiography and it is hilarious. The star of 30 Rock, SNL’s Weekend Update, and Sarah Palin impersonator writes about her experience growing up and how she got to where she is today. Warning: if you are prone to embarrassment, don’t read this book in public because it causes sudden outbursts of laughter the whole way through.
2. White Girl Problems- Babe Walker
The voice behind the infamous twitter handle @WhiteGirlProblems, Babe shares her everyday
experiences in this book. Whether you relate to lines like “I hate my horse” and “I’ll eat anything, as long as it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, low-fat, low-calorie, sugar-free, and organic,” or not, White Girl Problems is sure to be an entertaining read.
3. Are You There Vodka, It’s Me Chelsea- Chelsea Handler
This book is a collection of stories from the one and only Chelsea Handler. The stand-up comedian is as hilarious in writing as she is on her show. In this book, Chelsea tells stories about her relationships, family, and her past, and they are all extremely entertaining. If you enjoyed this book, be sure to check out Chelsea Handler’s other books, too.
If you are looking to cry…
4. My Sister’s Keeper- Jody Picoult
This novel is about a young girl, Anna, who was brought into this world to be a genetic match to
her older sister, Kate, who suffers from leukemia. Anna was born so she could donate parts of her body, like blood cells and bone marrow, to her older sister so she can continue to live. This story is about how Kate’s leukemia affects the family and the impact it has on a young girl who was made to save her sister’s life.
5. Sarah’s Key- Tatiana de Rosnay
Set in Paris in both 1942 and 2002, this novel jumps back and forth between the past and the present as a journalist discovers a story from long ago. In 1942, a young girl Sarah is arrested with her family in a roundup called the Vel’ d’Hiv’. As the police come to get them, she gets scared and locks her younger brother in a cupboard in their house, assuming they will return soon. In 2002, Julia stumbles upon this story and won’t stop searching for details until she finds out what happened to Sarah. In the process, Julia begins to question things about her own life as well.
If you are looking for a historical fiction series…
6. The Constant Princess- Philippa Gregory
This series starts by telling the story of Katherine of Aragon, the Queen who had her throne stolen by Anne Boleyn. Throughout the series, you get the first hand point of view of various characters in the Tudor court and all of the drama that surrounds them.
7. The Josephine Bonaparte Trilogy- Sandra Gulland
This series is set like a diary of Josephine Bonaparte, Napoleon’s wife. It begins before they meet and follows their courtship and marriage. This historical fiction gives an interesting point of view following Napoleon and his rise to power.
If you are looking for a NYT bestseller…
8. Water for Elephants- Sara Gruen
Jacob is at the end of his luck, broke and alone he stumbles upon the train that is home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. He lands himself a job as an elephant trainer and ends up falling in love with the star of the equestrian act, Marlena, who happens to be married to the circus boss. This novel tells the story of Jacob’s journey in the circus, of finding himself, and of his love for both the elephant and Marlena.
9. The Help- Kathryn Stockett
This is the book that inspired the movie with Emma Stone and Octavia Jones about a journalist in the deep south during the Civil Rights movement daring to make a difference. Once you start this book, you will not be able to put it down; it is a great and funny read.
10. American Heiress- Daisy Goodwin
Cora is a young rich American heiress and finds herself quickly married and an English Duchess, despite knowing very little about her husband. This book follows her finding love, navigating the English social scene and discovering that money cannot buy everything.
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If you are looking for something that has been made into a movie…
11. Jane Eyre- Charlotte Bronte
This classic follows the life a Jane, an orphan who has a rough time at home until she is sent to boarding school. You get sucked into this novel as Jane grows up and falls in love.
12. Breakfast at Tiffany’s- Truman Capote
“What I’ve found does the most good is just to get into a taxi and go to Tiffany’s. It calms me down right away, the quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there, not with those kind men in their nice suits…” This is Holly Golightly, the quirky young socialite looking for a rich husband to marry. Read this classic book that made everyone dream of being Audrey Hepburn, who plays Holly in the movie version.
13. The Devil Wears Prada- Lauren Weisberger
This book is so much better than the movie, which is almost always true for all books make into movies. Andrea Sachs lands a job at a high class magazine, a job “a million girls would die for”, yet dealing with her boss is a nightmare. Andrea not only learns how to dress properly but also how to deal with difficult people and what it means to have your job become your life.
If you are looking for a mystery…
14. The Da Vinci Code- Dan Brown
A murder in the Louvre leads Robert Langdon to Paris to help solve the mystery alongside the victim’s granddaughter, Sophie. As the pair quickly become suspects, they rush to solve the mystery of the murder before the police do, encountering secret societies and the history of Europe in the process. This book is addicting, and is a must read for anyone who loves mysteries.
15. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larsson
This book follows a hacker/investigator Lisbeth Salander and a journalist Mikael Blomkvist as they solve the mystery of a disappearance of a girl many years ago. This book is fast paced and quite violent at times, yet it is so hard to put down once you get into it. The first few chapters are a little slow, so stick with it and you will be grateful.
If you are looking for an easy read…
16. A Great and Terrible Beauty- Libba Bray
This novel is the first in a series of 3 about 16-year old Gemma who is sent to a boarding school in England. While there, she struggles to make friends and ends up finding she can travel to magical other-world realms. As she begins to make friends and discover these realms, Gemma learns more about herself, her deceased mother, and ends up falling in love. This is a wonderful young adults novel that will keep you hooked until the end.
17. The Gossip Girl Series- Cecily von Ziegesar
The popular TV series Gossip Girl was based off of these books by Cecily von Ziegesar. They follow the lives and romances of the privileged teenagers at a private school on the Upper East Side of New York City. With endless secrets, gossip, and romance, these books are a great substitute for the just ended TV show that we all have secretly been missing.
If you are looking for a popular read…
18. The Night Circus- Erin Morgenstern
This novel is a new take on the ever classic Romeo and Juliet, with two magicians in a night circus that compete against each other day after day. Unknown to them as they fall in love, only one can survive. This book is filled with love, joy, heartbreak, and magic and lives up to all the hype it has currently been getting.
19. Casual Vacancy- J.K. Rowling
This new book by J.K. Rowling is about the death of an Englishman and the small wars that go on in the town after his passing. To be honest, it doesn’t even matter what this book is about, J.K. Rowling wrote it so obviously it will be good.
20. Warm Bodies- Isaac Marion
This book is about a zombie who captures a girl but ends up deciding to protect her rather than eat her, and ends up falling in love. Another new take on Romeo and Juliet, this book just came out as a movie so be sure to read it before you go watch it!