A student provides five fun reads during quarantine.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
If you’re looking for something really fun to read that will let you escape for a while, Six of Crows is the perfect book for you. Filled with action and adventure, Six of Crows follows a diverse cast of characters who band together and attempt to pull off a dangerous heist. Besides the incredible world-building and fast-paced plot, the six main characters in this book are what really make it stand out, easily making it one of my favorite books of all time. Each character brings something different to the book, each being incredibly complex with varying backstories and personal motivations. This book is also being adapted into a Netflix show, coming out next year, called Shadow and Bone, which will follow both the Six of Crows duology and Leigh Bardugo’s other series, the Grisha trilogy.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Red, White & Royal Blue is essentially a romantic comedy that follows the hate-to-love relationship between Alex, the son of the President of the United States, and Henry, the British prince. This book not only contains a beautiful, heart-warming LGBTQ+ love story that will make you feel all the emotions, but it also places a lot of focus on family relationships, politics, grief, and prejudices. By the end, you will be laughing and crying, and very happy--something I think we all want and need right now!
Lovely War by Julie Berry
Lovely War by Julie Berry is told from a unique point of view, one that sets this book apart from others in the historical fiction genre. Narrated by Aphrodite, the Greek goddess tells the story of two intertwining love stories that unfold during WWI to both Ares and Hephaestus, who want nothing to do with the stories of the two couples, only caring about the war. This book does an amazing job of flawlessly developing both love stories while also showcasing aspects of history you may not be familiar with. For example, one of the four main characters, a talented musician named Aubrey, is shipped off to the trenches in Europe in an all African-American regiment. Throughout the book, Aphrodite emphasizes the power that love has over war.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Ninth House is an adult paranormal fantasy novel set at Yale University, following Alex Stern, a troubled young woman who is mysteriously offered a spot at the elite university. The only catch is that she has to investigate Yale’s secret societies, which turn out to be dangerously intertwined with sinister occult activities. Unsurprisingly, Alex gets mixed up in this secret underworld, resulting in an exciting, darkly twisted story. If you like books filled with murder mystery, paranormal themes, and dark settings, then this one is definitely for you.
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
I’ll Give You the Sun tells the contemporary story of twins Jude and Noah, who were inseparable as kids, but barely speak years later. This book is split between the past and present, with Noah narrating the past and Jude the present. Each twin has only half of the story of what happened between them, and the whole book explores their relationship and how they will eventually repair it. Nelson’s writing style is beautifully lyrical, and paints a vivid, emotional picture. You won’t regret reading this book.