It is official: the holidays are over. Between visiting family over the holidays, such as Christmas or Hanukkah, or reuniting with friends on New Years Eve, the past two weeks have been jam-packed. However, the fun has ended, leaving us with nothing but time and boredom for the rest of our break.
If you are in college, you probably have a few weeks left of winter break. And, let's face it, we have nothing to do. To relax and enjoy our time, it is the perfect time to revisit your to-be-read list.
If you need suggestions, you have come to the right place. Here are six book recommendations for you to read over the remainder of your break.
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Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
If you are a murder mystery fan, this series is for you. The first installment, Truly Devious, focuses on Stevie Bell; a teenage detective who attends the elite school, Ellingham Academy. This school is notorious for the kidnapping and murder of the school's founding family, the Ellingham's. While here, she focuses on solving this case, which is connected to a riddle signed, "Truly, devious."
This book will get you hooked on not only the original trilogy, but also all of Maureen Johnson's other novels. There are so many twists and details that you get invested in solving the mystery. I read Truly Devious while I was in a reading slump and absolutely loved it.
It got me out of my slump and made me run to Barnes and Noble to buy the rest of the series. Trust me, you are going to rave about this book, especially if you are a murder mystery lover.
Image Credit: Photo by Alessio Soggetti from Unsplash
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Crave by Tracy Wolff
Crave combines fantasy and romance by featuring a vampire love story. Protagonist Grace Foster moves to Katmere Academy after the death of her parents, only to find out that the school is home to paranormal beings, including vampires, witches, and dragons. Grace faces a number of life-threatening situations, quickly becoming a part of this new world. Throughout the novel, she also builds a romantic connection with vampire Jaxon Vega.
If you are a Twilight or Mortal Instruments fan, Crave definitely aligns with your interests. It is on the longer side, allowing for more character development. Crave is the first book in a series of six books. So, if you like the first novel, you have a ton more to read.
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
Romance fans, this one is for you. The Rom-Commers centers around Emma Wheeler, an aspiring screenwriter who lands her dream job rewriting a script. She works for her idol Charlie Yeats, a pessimistic and stubborn screenwriter. While the two work together, they end up fight over their opinions about storytelling and love, causing them to fall for each other.
This book is full of humor, romance, and is very light-hearted. There is also a balance between the feel-good nature of this book and the emotional depth and growth of the characters. The Rom-Commers is the perfect fun and romantic read to add to your list.
Image Credit: Photo by Muhammad-Taha Ibrahim from Unsplash
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Nightingale is a historical fiction novel based during World War II. The plot follows two sisters on their different journeys during the war, highlighting themes of resilience, resistance, survival and love. Vianne, the older sister, is a mother who is forced to house a German soldier, who she knows as the enemy.
Younger sister Isabelle is rebellious, joining the resistance movement. Over the course of the book, she becomes known as "The Nightingale" for her daring spirit.
This book is a tearjerker. The story is told extremely well, providing a new female perspective on the war. Kristin Hannah is a great historical fiction writer, so if you enjoy this book, you can check out some of her other work.
Alias Emma by Ava Glass
If you love thrillers and spy novels, you will love Alias Emma. Featuring strong female lead Emma Makepeace, the novel details her first big mission as a spy in London. Her job is to get a Russian defector, Michael Primalov, to safety before the sun rises and Russian spies find him. However, the Russians took control of the city's CCTV camera system, making it both dangerous and difficult to get Micheal across London.
Alias Emma is fast-paced and has plenty of twists and turns. It is on the shorter side, so if you are nearing the end of your break, this book could be a quick read. Also, there are two sequels that follow Emma Makepeace, which can make great additions to your reading list.
Image Credit: Photo by enrico bet from Unsplash
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
One Perfect Couple is a psychological thriller mixed with murder mystery and a few "Survivor" aspects. Lyla and her aspiring-actor boyfriend Nico agree to appear on a new reality TV show called One Perfect Couple. Things quickly take a turn for the worst when a storm hits the island, leaving the cast stranded with limited resources. To their surprise, the storm is not the only catastrophic event: Lyla and the others are stuck on the island with a murderer.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It is a page-turner, with each chapter leaving you wondering what comes next. If you are a reality TV (especially Love Island) fan, One Perfect Couple is an exceptional addition to your winter break reading list.
Conclusion
All six of these books were great reads. The best part is that most of them are the first in a series, allowing for more reading because you want to finish the series. Whichever book you choose, you will definitely be entertained.
Also, any of these recommendations will help you to relax, recharge, and get off of TikTok. Enjoy the rest of your break!
