Break is right around the corner! The holidays are one of my favorite times of year: I love spending time with family and friends, catching up on sleep -- and reading great books! From futuristic sci-fi reads to culturally significant novels on a range of social issues, there are so many books to be read. That being said, here are four of my favorites that are sure to keep you entertained this break. Happy holidays!
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein:
If you’re anything like me and avoid sad books like the plague, then you might be compelled to abandon The Art of Racing in the Rain by the end of the first chapter. I would urge you, however, to stick with it!
The Art of Racing in the Rain is narrated by Enzo, a wise and funny Golden Retriever who belongs to race car driver Denny Swift. Growing up amongst humans for his entire life, Enzo has lived and learned a lot. He’s felt the adrenaline of being in a racecar at full speed, and he’s watched television -- Enzo has done it all. As his days grow limited, Enzo leads readers through a walk down memory lane. Along the way, we get glimpses into both Enzo’s interactions with people as well as his thoughts.
Especially as a dog lover, The Art of Racing in the Rain was extremely touching to me. Enzo may be a dog, but the way he thinks and feels makes him more like a good friend. If you’re looking for a warm, fuzzy book to read by the fireplace, The Art of Racing in the Rain will be right up your alley. Afterwards, make sure to also check out the movie, which came out in August!
Paper Towns by John Green:
Everyone has read The Fault in Our Stars, but Paper Towns often gets overlooked. However, being an avid reader of John Green’s books, Paper Towns is probably one of my favorites.
Paper Towns follows Quentin Jacobsen, a senior in high school, as he ventures out to find his childhood best friend, the enigmatic Margo Roth Spiegelman. Readers get to witness Quentin’s journey as he follows clues that Margo has left for him, discovering new sides of both himself and Margo along the way.
In a time of dark, dystopian YA novels galore, Paper Towns is the perfect palette cleanser, a pristine balance of intrigue and humor. If you’re looking for a book that will both get your heart racing and make you feel sentimental, give Paper Towns a try; although it might not be as famous as some of John Green’s other novels, it won’t disappoint.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:
Society and its restrictive expectations of individuals disgust me. Enter Pride and Prejudice, a salient and feminism-infused novel by Jane Austen. I’ll cut right to the chase: Pride and Prejudice is probably one of the best books I have ever read. The amazing characters, the way it exposes societal standards so bluntly, and the dynamic plot makes for an amazing book.
In Pride and Prejudice, readers follow the opinionated and vivacious heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, and her four very different sisters. Elizabeth goes against many of the standards that were present during the Victorian Era in England; it’s exciting and refreshing to read about such a dynamic and progressive protagonist, and, for me, this was one of the highlights of the novel.
Read Pride and Prejudice if you crave thought-provoking, substantive experiences. Even though it is over two centuries old and uses Old English language, this story will never cease to be socially relevant.