I know, I know; it feels like the world is falling apart and it’s the busiest time of the semester, why am I here to recommend you more to read? Hear me out. Diving into a new story can be the best way to alleviate stress and relieve boredom while we’re all spending more time at home this spring.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Everyone and their grandpa has heard of Harry Potter, I know I’m not introducing you to some obscure new fantasy. But, with its themes of good vs evil and love and friendship being the forces to defeat darkness, it feels timely to start the series now if you haven’t.
The Sorcerer’s Stone is the first book in the series. Because the characters are the youngest here, it’s the lightest and least serious. It’s fun to learn about the wizarding world with Harry whether it’s your first time or your tenth.
Save The Date by Morgan Matson
Love Say Yes to the Dress? Suddenly dreaming of your cousin’s wedding at the end of the summer you were dreading just a few weeks ago? Matson has your cure.
Charlie, a high school senior, is prepping for her older sister’s wedding. When the weekend finally comes and her family is finally all together under one roof again, everything that can go wrong does. It’s a blast watching the family scramble to throw together a wedding that had recently been perfectly planned, and Charlie’s story outside of that is heartwarming as well.
Gmorning, Gnight: Little Pep Talks for Me and You by Lin-Manuel Miranda, illustrated by Jonny Sun
We could all use a “little pep talk” right about now. Enter playwright and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda. Gmorning, Gnight is filled with hundreds of Miranda’s now famous good morning and goodnight tweets, often poetic and paired to start and end the day the same way.
Along with the tweets, Jonny Sun illustrates each one with a simple black and white drawing. Because of the quick nature of a book full of tweets, you can read a couple whenever you need a pick-me-up, or binge the whole thing on a rough day.
Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Poston puts a modern Cinderella retelling into the world of fandoms and conventions. It’s a fun, quick read that can take you out of a dreary April and social distancing for a little while.
Elle is in love with the show Starfield and is desperately trying to figure out how to get to the annual convention celebrating it. Darien is set to star in the reboot, trying to remember why he loved the show in the first place. Throw in a best friend who can work some costuming magic and a food truck named the Magic Pumpkin, you’ve got everything you need for a 21st century Cinderella.
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare created the world of Shadowhunters in The Mortal Instruments, and Clockwork Angel is the first book in a trilogy that takes place in that same world, but in Victorian London. Demons, angels, and warriors fill the pages as a love triangle flares up between our three main characters–Tessa, Will, and Jem.
If you want fantasy, adventure, romance, and just a little bit of history, this book’s the perfect quarantine buddy.
You can receive two free books during your trial at Audiobooks.com and a free book to keep during your trial at Audible.
