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9 Mysterious Thrillers That Will Make You Glad You're Reading On A Crowded Beach This Summer

Who dun it? What dun it? Why dun it?

Casey Lofton

Jun 24, 2019

University of Virginia

418

9 Mysterious Thrillers That Will Make You Glad You're Reading On A Crowded Beach This Summer

https://www.instagram.com/p/By7XWDFhhM_/

Thrillers are fast-paced, unpredictable, and perfect for summer vacations. Here are some recommendations for books to pack with you this summer.

1. 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/19288043-gone-girl

This book is a classic psychological thriller, and whether it be the book or the movie, I'm sure you've heard of this tale about Amy and Nick Dunne and their less-than-perfect marriage.

2. 'Truly Devious' by Maureen Johnson

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/29589074-truly-devious

This young adult series follows mysteries of past and present as we explore murders, kidnappings, and more at the infamous Ellingham Academy in Vermont - a school were high school students are free to delve deeper into their passions. With dual timelines, this series will keep you interested from page 1.

3. 'Final Girls' by Riley Sager

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/32796253-final-girls

Final Girl: the only survivor in a terrible massacre. There are 3 of them to be exact: Quincy Carpenter. Samantha Boyd. Lisa Milner. Until Lisa commits suicide. Why exactly did Lisa commit suicide, what is Quincy repressing from the night of the infamous Pine Cottage Massacre, and where has Samantha been for the past 10 years? Each girl has her secrets, but not for long.

4. 'Brain On Fire' by Susannah Cahalan

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/13547180-brain-on-fire#

This nonfiction piece may not technically be a thriller, but as doctors try to figure out what exactly is wrong with Cahalan, it develops the tone of a mystery as we are pulled this way and that trying to figure out why a seemingly healthy 24-year-old journalist is now hospitalized and fighting for her life.

5. 'The Roanoke Girls' by Amy Engel

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/30689335-the-roanoke-girls

To say this one is twisted is an understatement. This book follows Lane Roanoke heading back to her family's estate after her mom commits suicide. As with any family, there are secrets that threaten to come out into the open when cousin Allegra goes missing 10 years later. If you like dark family tales, this one is for you.

6. I Am The Messenger' by Markus Zusak

Playing cards and missions arrive in the mail for Ed to deposit to strangers. He doesn't know who sent them, but he delivers, finding out more about his surroundings and himself. But at the end of the day, the question remains: who sent the cards and why?

7. 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/9723667-and-then-there-were-none

Agatha Christie is the queen of mystery, and if you haven't picked one up yet, this famous novel is a good place to start. 10 flawed strangers on an island together. What could go wrong?

8. 'Night Film' by Marisha Pessl

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10112885-night-film

This mystery novel is perfect if you like eery atmospheres, a crazed reporter, a recluse film director, or mixed media. This creepy novel follows Scott McGrath as he investigates the death of Ashley Cordova, the daughter of cult-horror-film director Stanislaus Cordova. Investigation leads to the depths of both the internet and Cordova's back yard. This one will definitely have you checking over your shoulder a time or two.

9. 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/168642.In_Cold_Blood

Another true crime story, this one follows Truman Capote as he investigates the 1959 Clutter family killing in Holcomb, Kansas. The fact that everything told in this is true makes it even more poignant and intense.

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And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

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The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

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One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

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9 Mysterious Thrillers That Will Make You Glad You're Reading On A Crowded Beach This Summer

Who dun it? What dun it? Why dun it?

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For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

27. When you get assigned the most incompetent group of people possible for a group project.

28. I need a comfort dog so I can avoid all life and school responsibilities.

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

Who isn't stressing out over finals right now?

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