As winter approaches, we have more days off of school. Unfortunately, many of us, including me, struggle with being on our phones too much. It’s good to look for alternatives to staring at a screen all day. One example is reading! Here are some easy books to read in one sitting while snuggled up with your favorite fuzzy blanket.
“Looking for Alaska” by John Green: I’m sure that you’ve heard of “Looking for Alaska” before, but I still cannot recommend it enough. I’ve reread this novel so many times; I cannot get enough of it. It focuses on high school junior Miles Halter, who moves away from his parents to study at Culver Creek Preparatory School. There, he meets Alaska Young. He quickly falls for her and her carefree spirit. Halfway through the book there’s a huge plot twist, changing the whole trajectory of the story. It’s a very deep novel, though short enough to finish quickly.
“Better Than the Movies” by Lynn Painter: I haven’t read this book yet, but it was recommended by avid reader Kenya Sogaw, a sophomore at Franklin High School. This young adult rom-com novel is set in modern times. The main character, Liz Buxbaum, is a huge fan of rom-com movies. She is trying to get with her longtime crush before she graduates from high school. Sogaw reflects, “This is the first romance centered book I’ve read … it was a bit cringey at times but easy to get into and enjoy.” This short novel seems to be a good option for someone looking for a cute and wholesome story.
“The Sun and Her Flowers” by Rupi Kaur: This poetry book is split into five sections: wilting, falling, rooting, rising, and blooming. Each focuses on different emotions and sections of Kaur’s life. It covers themes of love, loss, heartbreak, abuse, trauma, and healing. The poems are very personal but include very important messages. Here’s an example:
we have been dying
since we got here
and forgot to enjoy the view
I love this poem so much. It’s short and sweet but quite meaningful. Lots of us are so busy that we forget to look around to appreciate and enjoy life.
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This book is a bit longer compared to the previous ones I recommended, but the format of the novel makes it an easy read. This story is split into seven sections, one for each of Hugo’s seven husbands. The book also flips from modern day to back when Hugo was a famous actress in the ’60s. The plot is so gripping it’s easy to get sucked in after the first chapter.
“Death on the Nile” by Agatha Christie: You may have heard of the movie based on this book, starring Gal Gadot and Armie Hammer. But this story was originally published in 1937 as a crime/mystery novel. The plot is simple; a newly engaged couple, Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot) and Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer) are being stalked by Jacqueline de Bellefort. Bellefort is Ridgeway’s ex-best friend and Doyle’s former girlfriend. The couple hires Hercule Poirot, a detective, to help keep them safe from Bellefort. Many murders happen as the story progresses, making the plot thicken and creating a bigger mystery than before. Since this book was written almost 90 years ago, some of the language is a bit difficult to understand, but the plot and suspense Christie creates make up for it.
I hope that you’ll take a trip to Powell’s soon or order one of these books online! I understand reading and books in general are difficult for lots of people, but I think it’s really important in the long run and this winter is the perfect time to start reading!
