I am well aware that finals are here and most of us barely have enough free time to sleep, much less read a book for fun. But as the holiday season approaches, we gain a bit more free time while also gaining the need to find gifts for people. Whether you plan to read these books yourself or give them as a gift, here are my top five book recommendations.
1. "Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist" by Rachel Cohn
To get your young adult novel fix, I suggest Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn. The plot revolves around a boy and girl meeting and the time that they spend together, which sounds cliché but also provides a unique twist on the typical coming of age novel. I read this entire book in one sitting because I enjoyed it so much. Read this book if you are looking to enjoy an exceptional young adult novel, and gift this to any young adult of your choosing (particularly ones who appreciate music).
2. "The Royal We" by Heather Cocks
Heather Cocks creates the perfect love story in her romance novel The Royal We. The plot follows an American going to school in the United Kingdom, who then meets a Prince, and the ensuing drama that occurs when one becomes friends with the heir to the throne. This book is pure romantic fluff but tells an absolutely incredible story. Great read if you are wanting some light, romantic reading this winter. Plus, it's a perfect gift for anyone who loves the royals or enjoys a good love story.
3. "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller
In A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Donald Miller tells the story of the process he went through to write his screenplay. Throughout the book, he combines personal, anecdotal stories with the life lessons he learned throughout those years. This book completely changed my perspective on how I live my life and how I view romance. This book is perfect if you’re looking to start taking charge of your life and is a great gift for someone who you think is ready to live a great story.
4. "The Omnivore’s Dilemma" by Michael Pollan
The Omnivore’s Dilemma is a bit heavier read than the rest of these. It covers the different food systems and discusses the merits of each system. Michael Pollan thoroughly examines the current food process and looks for ways in which we can improve. Maybe not the best holiday read but definitely something to consider reading before starting the new year because it can impact your New Year’s resolutions. This book would be a good gift for someone who cares about the food they eat and how it affects them.
5. "All The Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
From the moment I first heard about All the Light We Cannot See, I immediately wanted to read the book. Doerr writes a fantastic story about a young, blind girl living in Paris, a boy orphan living in Germany and the oncoming of World War II. I have a bit of reserve recommending this book because I have not yet finished it. However, the first half has been incredible, and I expect the second half to be equally as amazing. This book is an amazing piece of fiction that I believe anyone would enjoy to read but specifically those who are fans of history will enjoy this book.
So, that is the list of the books that I recommend for this break. If you have other books that you recommend, leave it in a comment to share the word with other people in the community!
