I personally love reading. I have always loved a good book, especially the cheesy romance novels!
Unfortunately, college has made it a little difficult for me to read as often as I would like. This is one of the things I love about winter break, it's the perfect time to sit back, relax, grab a good book, and dive in.
Here's a list of a few book recommendations for your winter break.
1. Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas
This is one of my favorite books ever! I have read it three times and I'll probably read it for a fourth time this month. A woman named Katie randomly receives a diary from her love, Matt, who randomly disappears with nothing more than the diary to explain his sudden disappearance. The diary reveals Matt's past and his life experiences.
This story is two loves stories in one, with happy blissful moments accompanied by heartbreak and sadness. I love this book not just because of the love story, but for the lessons it teaches about the ups and downs of life. 10/10 would recommend. This book will always have a special place in my heart.
2. 13 Little Blue Envelopes
This story is all about a young girl going on these adventure around the world, meeting new people, and discovering more about herself with every step of the way.
Author Maureen Johnson writes a story about a girl named Ginny Blackstone who randomly receives a letter from her Aunt Peg. The letter gives Ginny specific instructions on where she needs to go, what she needs to do, and who she needs to meet. The letter also explains that there are eleven other envelopes that Ginny will receive one by one after she completes all the tasks in the previous envelopes. This situation is all spontaneous and full of adventure, but these letters are unusual and confusing for Ginny because her Aunt Peg died three months ago.
3. The Sun is Also a Star
"The Sun is Also a Star" is written by the amazing author Nicola Yoon. Yoon is also the author of the book "Everything Everything," which was also made into a 2017 summer flick. This book is "the story of a girl, a boy, and the universe." Natasha is very into facts and figures, and doesn't believe in fate. Daniel is a good Korean boy who is much more free-spirited and believes in fate. Their completely different thoughts and opinions come together and bring them even closer. This book is also being made into a movie, which I am so excited about! I definitely recommend reading it before the movie comes out this year on May 17th!
4. The Princess Saves Herself in This One
This book is filled with poems about so many different topics and experiences. Amanda Lovelace includes a disclaimer about some of the topics discussed that could be triggering. Some of the poems are intense and discuss some dark topics, but the book is about more than just sad, dark moments. It's about self-care, recovery, and growing from your past. The author has such a talent and her poems are so beautifully put for such deep, dark topics. This is one of my favorite poetry books I've ever read.
5. Cindy Ella
If you want another cheesy, romantic novel, then I got you! This is another favorite that I found a couple years ago. I have also read this book a few times and I still love it just as much as I did the first time I opened the book.
The plot stars a girl named Cindy who lives in the L.A. world full of botox and yoga. Cindy's stepsisters and stepmother are all about that life, while Cindy is quite the opposite. Cindy writes an article in the school newspaper going against prom. Everyone thinks Cindy is completely insane and a freak except for her two best friends, and surprisingly, her crush Adam Silver. This book is extremely cheesy, but it's so well written and has more plot twists than you'd imagine. Trust me when I tell you this cheesy love story is not your ordinary love story.
6. One of Us is Lying
This book is different from my previous suggestions because it's more of a thriller than a love story. Written by Karen M. McManus, this book is about five students in detention, but only four of them make it out alive. One of the students, Simon, dies before detention ends. The investigators claim it wasn't an accident and declare the other four students as suspects. It's definitely intense and keeps you wanting to read more with every page.
7. Words in Deep Blue
BACK AT IT AGAIN WITH THE CHEESY ROMANCE NOVELS. This book gives me major "To All the Boys I Loved Before" vibes, which only makes it that much better in my personal opinion. Our leading lady Rachel leaves a love letter tucked away in a book for her crush, Henry, to find in his family bookstore the day before she moves. Henry never showed up or mentioned anything about the letters. Years go by, and Rachel returns to work at the bookstore with Henry again. Cath Crowley is an amazing writer who told this story so poetically. It's beautifully written and will have you wanting more after page one.
8. Tell Me Three Things
Surprise surprise, another cheesy romance novel! This book features all the cliches, from the new girl to the quickie Mean Girls. "Tell Me Three Things" takes place in your basic Los Angeles high school and features new girl Jessie, who just moved in with her new stepmom and stepbrother. She is the new girl just trying to survive her junior year in a completely new environment without her best friend Scarlett.
One day, she gets an email from an anonymous person offering to give her advice on how to survive at Wood Valley High School. This person refuses to give their identity, and eventually, Jessie gives in and takes their advice. Throughout the entire story, she tries to figure out who this mysterious emailer is. What I love most about this book is how you really don't know who the "anonymous person" is; just when you think you know who it is, something happens and you're left re-thinking your guess. It's perfectly cheesy and a feel-good novel for sure.
9. What to Say Next
From the same author of "Tell Me Three Things," this book tells the story of an unlikely friendship between David and Kit. These two are completely different, yet their differences are what bring them together. Kit asks for David's help in trying to find out more information about her dad's car accident. This book is quite different from "Tell Me Three Things," but it's still just as good.
10. The Alchemist
Again, ANOTHER ICONIC BOOK. Everyone knows about this book or has at least heard of it, but it's too good not to include. "The Alchemist" is such an amazing book and a perfect read for the new year.
"The Alchemist" is about a man's adventure and self-discovery along the way. Santiago is in search of a treasure buried near the pyramids. Along the way, he meets several different people who direct him. Every time I read the book, I learn something new, which is the sign of a good book in my opinion. It's filled with such wise advice within such a great plot. I think that everyone should read this book at least once in their life.
