With an entire month off of school, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a good book and ignore the world for a while. No matter what your feelings towards reading are, you’re sure to fall in love with one of these 10 fantastic books.
1. The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain
This is the book that got me into thrillers in middle school. Was I probably too young to be reading it then? Yes. This book explores motherhood in a unique way, woven into a fascinating tale of teenage love and a mysterious death.
2. The Named by Marianne Curley
A fascinating YA sci-fi filled with romance, time travel, and a super cool ageless guy with electric blue hair and a weird name. While the writing is definitely aimed for a younger audience, the concept of the story is so unique you’ll breeze through it and have the second book in the series, The Dark, in your hands in no time.
3. The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
For the movie buff who’s looking to get into print, pick up the book that inspired the 2012 film starring Bradley Cooper and JLaw. The main character, Pat, is extremely endearing and the book explores the effect of mental illness on relationships both romantic and familial. It’ll have you cry-laughing in no time.
4. A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle
One of my all-time favorites that’s perfect for the dreamer and kid at heart who longs for the freedom and imagination of childhood. This story features elements of both sci-fi and fantasy, and is a beautifully written portrait of kids searching for their missing father and gaining a deep understanding of life and the universe on the way.
5. Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
A crazy true story filled with a whole family of fascinating characters that will make you appreciate your own family a whole lot more. This book will entice everyone, from psych majors ready to analyze each and every character to the collegiette with a dark sense of humor, and you’ll find yourself rooting for Augusten at every step of his journey.
6. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
For the feminist and/or bibliophile who’s looking for a challenging but satisfying read this winter. The characters speak in a very colloquial and confusing early 1900s southern dialect, but trust me when I say you’ll have a deeper appreciation for what black women had to go through in order to get us where we are today.
7. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
An easy, flirty beach read with romance and family drama galore for the collegiette that’s spending her Christmas oceanside. Lara Jean’s younger sister has basically ruined her life, and now she has to deal with the consequences while also figuring out how to deal with the changing relationship between her and her sisters.
8. The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth
A feel-good story for queer girls and anyone who’s looking for an unconventional, heart wrenching story of self-discovery and acceptance. My love for this book grows exponentially every time I read it, and when main character Cam meets “perfect cowgirl” Coley Taylor, you’ll be torn between wanting to give her a hug and some ice cream and wanting to violently shake some sense into her.
9. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
A cute, quirky memoir for the extroverted introvert and fan of The Office, Mindy Kaling tells the tale of growing up and coming of age as a child of immigrants with grace and humor. I immediately connected with Kaling with her descriptions of life as a chubby rule follower, and her hilarious tales about college and beyond give me hope for my own future, and provide young woman a solid, real role model.
10. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Susie knows the story of her death, but the police and her family do not. She watches wistfully from heaven as they try to piece together the puzzle of the day she disappeared while trying to figure out just how she’s supposed to get over what happened to her. A fast-paced, emotional read that had me in tears every time Susie’s father, Jack, says anything about his daughter.
So hit up your local bookstore, or download one straight to your phone, grab some hot cocoa, and get reading!