Think: When was the last time you read a book for fun? Was there ever even a last time? In the midst of spring break, the threat of midterms and problem sets is (hopefully) gone, so what better chance to catch up (or pick up for the first time) on your reading than now by the beach in Cancun? Here are Street’s best picks for Spring Break.
The Light Read: Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell
This collection of whimsically surreal and darkly imaginative short stories is not only a perfect light read, it is also your international passport. From Italian lemon groves to Antarctic oceans, this book transports the reader from one uniquely enthralling world to the next. One moment, you’ll be laughing over the presidents reimagined as horses (just imagine Donald Trump as a horse) and the next, you’ll be contemplating the sorrows of marriage.
The Romantic Read: Call Me By Your Name by André Acimen
The novel that the Oscar-nominated film is based on offers many insights you won't see on screen. Narrated by Elio Perlman, the first person point of view and quick prose provide a deeper understanding of the character that you fell in love with as portrayed by Timothée Chalomet. Not to mention, that infamous peach scene is described in much more juicy detail to allow your imagination to wander.
The Dark Read: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
This is the first full length novel from the father of surreal, experimental fiction: George Saunders. Expect dark, laugh out loud humor from the first page, and inventive form. After Abraham Lincoln's son, Willie, dies and is buried in a graveyard, choral narration of those in the afterlife is brought to life.
The Fun Read: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Travel to Singapore and get sucked into a dazzling world of wealth, complete with eligible bachelors, fashion icons, and the more relatable NYU professor. This spring, prepare for the film adaptations summer release, and learn what the accurate representation hype is about.
The Classic Read: Emma by Jane Austen
It's amazing how relatable a character created in 1815 can be. Emma, the titular character, considers herself an amazing matchmaker. The next 500 pages detail how wrong she is, in Jane Austen's singular style of romantic misunderstandings and misconceptions. If you're still pining over Mr. Darcy, delve again into the world of Georgian-Regency England. This classic has not only lived up to time, but received great praise when it was originally published.
Wherever you are during this break, there is something fun and enthralling to be found in each of the books mentioned. Pick them up. At the very least, you’ll be able to claim some sort of productivity.
