Both modern and classic novels are excellent choices for leisurely reading over break. Courtesy of Flickr/Kate Hiscock
By Megan Bronner
Throughout the semester, students stay up late reading sleep-inducing texts assigned by their professors. However, winter break provides the opportunity to catch up on some pleasure reading in between semesters. If it has been a while since you have read a book for enjoyment, this list offers some page-turners and easy reads to help you get back into reading.
Books-Turned-Movies
— Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Gone Girl was recently adapted into a Hollywood hit, but that does not mean you should skip out on reading the book. This fiction-thrill- er is a relatively quick read, and you will not want to put it down, per- haps giving you the perfect excuse to avoid certain family members. When Amy Dunne, a Missouri housewife, disappears from her home, her husband is subsequently accused of murder by the community. Its many twists and turns will leave you surprised and speechless.
— The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
If you missed it, Nicholas Spark’s lastest romance-novel-turned-mov- ie premiered in mid-October, star- ring James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan. Although many would say that this story pales in comparison to The Notebook, it is still an ideal choice if you would like to curl up by the fireplace with a romance novel.
Thrillers
— The Dinner by Herman Koch
I read this thriller novel last winter break and got through it relatively fast. This novel takes place at a dinner between two brothers and their wives regarding a horrifying incident involving children. In the end, each character is not whom you initially expected his or her to be, and this work leaves you wondering about the lengths you are willing to go for the ones you love.
— In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
This piece of non-fiction is a notable classic of the 20th century. Truman Capote reconstructs the savage murders of the Clutter family and the investigation that led to the capture, trial and execution of their killers. In Cold Blood will captivate you, and could very well cause you to become a little bit obsessed with the killings of the Clutter family. Seriously, once you start this book, you will not be able to put it down.
Bestsellers
— The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Yet another gripping read, this novel tells the story of a college student, Richard Papen, who is al- lowed into an elite group of Greek scholars, made up of fellow students. As Richard becomes closer to this group, he learns a terrifying secret of what binds them all together.
— Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
Quite a few female comedians, including Lena Dunham, Tina Fey, Amy Pohler and Chelsea Handler, have recently written books. Kaling’s easy read will let you escape for a few hours during the day. Her realistic and humorous observa- tions on romance, friendships and Hollywood will surely leave you laughing, maybe even to the point of tears.
Classics
— This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
This novel is well-suited for someone interested in reading a classic by one of the most influential authors ever. Although overshadowed by The Great Gatsby’s fame, Fitzgerald’s first novel, This Side of Paradise is what helped his rise to prominence. This semi-autobiographical novel comments on lives and morality of post-World War I youth, and the theme of love warped by greed and status-seeking.
— One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Critically-acclaimed and beloved by many readers around the world One Hundred Years of Solitude is one of those books that you must read before you die. The novel tells the story of the rise and fall of the mythical town of Macondo through the history of one of its families. The universal themes of love, lust, war, revolution, riches, poverty, youth and senility dominate the novel, which serves as a commentary on human life. This novel is more of a challenging and serious read, but nonetheless will leave you thinking about life, death and mankind.
— Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Austen’s classic novels divulge romance in eighteenth-century England. This novel comically tells us about the non-traditional courtship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. If you are a male reading this you will want to become Mr. Darcy, and if you are a female reading this you will want to find Mr. Darcy. I also suggest immediately viewing the Hollywood adaption of this novel upon finishing.
