Who doesn’t love a good book? Whether it’s a summer vacation beach read or a cozy winter read, having a fun adventure to dive into provides year-round enjoyment. Here are some suggestions to get your reading list going.
If you enjoy classic rock history, definitely pick up Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Reid’s story, loosely inspired by Fleetwood Mac, is about a group that worked from the ground up to become an iconic classic rock band in the ‘70s to ‘80s.
Written in an interview style, the book follows the origin and journey of Daisy Jones & The Six. The band quickly rises to stardom, but behind the scenes tells a different story of sex, drugs, and betrayals. When the band breaks up at the height of their success after one of their sold-out shows, people are shocked. Now, 10 years later, the band members are telling their stories.
Founded by Reese Witherspoon, The Hello Sunshine production company picked up the book to become a show and started filming in 2021. The show is set to come out this Friday, Mar. 3, and stars big names like Sam Claflin, Riley Keough, Suki Waterhouse, and others on Amazon Prime Video.
Chilling and jaw-dropping, The Silent Patient is a true page-turner and keeps you on your toes till the very end. The thriller follows the story of Alicia Berenson, a famous London-based artist who murders her husband and goes completely silent after the incident. Alicia is placed in a mental health unit and is analyzed by Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist. Theo narrates the story as he becomes obsessed with getting Alicia to speak and reveal her motive. The Silent Patient is something you will not want to put down!
Ivana Luna, a sophomore finance and economics student, said, “This was one of my favorite reads! With an unexpected twist, I was kept on my toes and read this thriller in a day.”
Another gripping, suspenseful thriller is The Guest List by Lucy Foley. This story of a wedding celebration turned murder set on a remote island is sure to have you hanging on the edge of your seat. Told in alternating points of view between the bride and groom, parts of the wedding party, and varying guests, the twists never stop coming. Each guest holds a past and secrets they would never divulge, making this book one that keeps you guessing till the very end.
If you are looking for a short but entertaining self-help book to sharpen your skills, turn to The Go-Giver by Bob Burg. The first in a short series, this story follows Joe, a young man who is ambitious and hardworking but is starting to lose confidence that his work is actually paying off. Seeking advice and guidance, Joe meets with Pindar, also known as the Chairman, who introduces Joe to five of his friends who he considers “go-givers.” The five teach Joe the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success and the importance of giving and what it gives you in return. The story is short and sweet and doesn’t shy away from the troubles one faces when dealing with work and leadership.
A fast-paced young-adult mystery with twists and brainteasers, The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes will take you on a wild ride. Avery Grambs has a plan: finish high school and get into college to get out of her town. But, her plans come to a halt when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne leaves her his fortune. Only, she has no idea who he is or why he left it to her. To earn her inheritance, Avery must face the obstacles of living in the Hawthorne House, which include solving Tobias’s puzzles and dealing with his grandsons, each clever, dangerous, captivating, and trying to take her down. With well-crafted characters and an intriguing plotline, this series will hook you from the start.
If you are looking for a cute, heartful love story, The Summer I Turned Pretty series written by Jenny Han is a must-read. The story follows Isabel, or Belly, who goes with her family each summer to stay with her mom’s best friend, Susannah, and her two sons, Conrad and Jeremiah, at Cousins Beach. Belly’s always had a small crush on the brothers, but they never really noticed her. This summer is different, though.
Belly has grown up and people begin to see her a bit differently. Although mostly light-hearted, this book also reminds you of the reality of life and that not everything lasts forever.
This book was recently adapted into a TV show on Amazon Prime Video, with season one coming out this past summer. So, if you love the book, you can also see the characters come to life on your screen!
Gabby Matos, a sophomore education student, said, “I read The Summer I Turned Pretty series last summer and loved all of the books. I can’t wait for season two of the show to see what Jenny Han and the show writers do with the series.”
Some honorable book mentions include: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Malibu Rising, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, The Deal, and Beach Read.
With spring break coming up, this is the perfect opportunity to pick up a book and relax. If you need an easy travel read or just something to do while at home, hopefully one of these books will grab your attention and provide you with an entertaining story. Happy reading!
