Everyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with books. It is physically impossible for me to leave a bookstore empty-handed and my nightstand is thirty novels deep with books patiently waiting to be read. I realize this puts me in the minority of millennials who, for the most part, don’t feel the urge to pick up a book that often.
Unfortunately – even for me – it’s hard to make time for reading. Between school, work and binge-watching Glee, my books are sometimes neglected. Winter break gives me the perfect opportunity to show them some much needed love. Plus, it keeps me from going a little stir-crazy while avoiding the cold Chicago weather.
I'm usually the go-to friend when it comes to book recommendations. A lot of people want to, or feel obligated, to read more, so I'm always happy to point them in the direction of my favorite literary geniuses. Every person is looking for something different, though, so let’s break down some options.
If you are a looking for…
1. Something a little scandalous
Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty
Okay, Liane Moriarty’s books are my guilty pleasures. Every chapter is filled with drama, mystery and romance that, though a little exaggerated, avoids the cheesiness of a Nicholas Sparks novel. Big Little Lies has been my favorite read of hers thus far. It follows the lives of a few moms whose lives intertwine through their children and the school they attend. The story involves infidelity, abuse, and even death. Maybe a book about a caddy group of moms doesn’t seem so enticing, but this one sucked me in and the surprise ending made my jaw physically drop.
2. Something a little out of the ordinary
Lullaby – Chuck Palahniuk
Chuck Palahniuk is weird. And by weird, I mean really weird. He’s best known for Fight Club and his writing style definitely isn’t for everyone. His books start off somewhat normal, but quickly spiral into complete madness. Lullaby is a horror-satire novel about a reporter investigating a series of sudden infant deaths. All of these deaths have something in common, though: each child died immediately after being read a “culling song” from a particular poetry book. In true Palahniuk fashion, this read is filled with plot twists and bizarre happenings that will keep you coming back for more.
3. Something relatable.
Not That Kind of Girl – Lena Dunham
I’ll say it: I am a junkie for books written by female celebrities. Lena Dunham, Mindy Kaling, Ellen Degeneres, Amy Poehler – you name it, I’ve read it. I especially loved this one, though. I knew nothing about Lena Dunham upon starting Not That Kind of Girl and now I am her biggest advocate. I follow her on all social media and obsess over her HBO series Girls. This book follows Dunham’s continuous path of self-discovery, including one-night stands, toxic relationships and career bumps. It is filled with raw honesty and I found myself relating to every story she shared.
4. Something adventurous.
Before the Fall – Noah Hawley
Anyone and everyone would like this book. Well, I’m assuming that anyways. Noah Hawley’s Before the Fall was ranked one of Amazon’s Best Books of 2016 and it truly deserved its place on that list. The story opens with the crash of a private plane and follows the lives of the two survivors: a painter who has lost his way and the young son of a tech mogul on board. The aftermath includes an extensive investigation searching for any answers. What happened on the flight and was the crash intentional? You’ll only know if you read it!
5. Something that tugs at your heartstrings.
Room – Emma Donoghue
This is what I like to call a 24-hour read. You start it one day and it’s finished by the time you go to bed the next. Room is written from the point of view of Jack, a 5-year-old who has lived his entire life in a tiny room. He is accompanied only by his mom and the occasional nighttime visitor, Old Nick. As the story unfolds, you learn about how their situation came to be and figure out if they’ll be escaping any time soon. Emma Donoghue perfectly captures the mind of a young boy and the connection between mother and son. Once you’ve read the book, you can follow it up with the Oscar award-winning film adaptation.
6. Something non-fiction.
Brain on Fire - Susanna Cahalan
I initially picked this read up because I had grown temporarily wary of fiction books. Non-fiction is not typically my style, but this one seemed enticing. My instincts proved correct as I finished half the bookthe day I started reading it. Susannah Cahalan, a New York Post reporter, recounts her sudden autoimmune reaction to an unknown pathogen that caused seizures and paranoia. Brain on Fire details what she refers to as her “month of madness” – which she has retained zero memory of. Cahalan successfully tells a true story with the page-turning quality of a fiction one.
I hope at least one of these book sparks your interest or inspires you to make a spontaneous trip to your local bookstore! Books have a way of pulling you in when you least expect it.
