Spring Break Reads

Might be hard to believe with snow still on the ground here in Madtown, but Spring Break is around the corner or here for a lot of us and I couldn’t be more excited! Spring Break is a lovely time for me to catch on some books that have been on my list. I get a TON of recommendations from students, friends, and colleagues and I’m excited to dive in to those recs while I’m sitting poolside in Phoenix next week. In my opinion, the best beach reads are ones that you can read in one afternoon but still have relatable characters and a complex plot. A beach read calls for quick action, loveable but flawed people, and still needs to be a worthwhile read. With so many books to read in the world, no time to waste on the mediocre, amiright?

 So, here are my picks for reads over Spring Break:

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Professor of genetics Don Tillman is looking for love. He has never had a successful relationship, but has been told he would make a wonderful husband. Using his genetics background, he creates The Wife Project, a statistical system to help him find a wife. Then he meets Rosie. This novel is supposed to be hilarious, charming, and quirky, and seems perfect for an afternoon in the sunshine.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Harkins

Recently broken Rachel takes the same train to work every morning and watches the same people carrying on with their daily lives. One day, she sees something from her train that she will never forget. An emotional thriller, this book has been compared to Gone Girl, and was also recommended by a colleague with excellent taste, which puts this novel toward the top of my list.

Night Road by Kristin Hannah

Night Road is a book my contemporary literature class can read as a choice book and revolves around two very different women: Jude Farraway, mother of two teenaged twins; and Lexi, former foster child who becomes best friends with Jude’s twins, Mia and Zach. Like The Girl on the Train, one event will change the course of these character’s lives forever. This book is a lengthier read and might be a little intense for a beach read, but could be perfect for long car rides.

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Fans of mysteries will love Ten, as it is based on Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. A teen rager on Henry Island turns sinister when someone takes vengeance on the party-goers. This sounds pretty dark, so in my opinion, I’d love to read this in the bright sunshine rather than on a dark, stormy night all by lonesome. But maybe that’s just me! Either way, this sounds like a promising mystery and I can’t wait to read it.

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner

I literally can’t wait to read this book!! Four women’s lives intertwine in a strange sisterhood of sorts, including a Pennsylvania housewife, the daughter of an addict, a hopeful mom and her surly stepdaughter. Many reviewers on Goodreads say they read it one sitting, which sounds like a promising poolside afternoon to me.

10% Happier by Dan Harris

My last pick is a non-fiction read. With every Spring Break or vacation comes a chance to rejuvenate, rest up, and distress from our lives. But what if we didn’t need to go on vacation to distress? What if our daily lives had less anxiety and stress in it? After having a televised panic attack, Good Morning America host sought out to figure out a life with more happiness and less stress. Couldn’t we all use a little more of that in our lives? Stress is definitely something I need to learn how to deal with, and I’m guessing we can all learn from Harris’s experiences in this book.

Here’s to hoping you have at least a few days off this spring, to sit back, relax and enjoy a good book with your dose of sunshine. Remember your sunscreen and happy reading!