So. I believe all of you have just about reached the less-than-a-month point until Spring Break. (Some readers will be lucky enough to be hopping planes to Florida and Mexico as early as next week. As I gaze out my window at the windy, snow-covered parking lot behind Legend's, I can pretty much describe my feelings towards you in three words: pure, unadulterated jealousy. The thought that anyone will be able to wear sandals next week without fear of frostbite is certainly making the green-eyed monster rear its head). Anyways, for a lot of you, the rapid approach of Spring Break probably means increased time on the elliptical and an attempted avoidance of your old friends: carbs and chocolate. However, there is another aspect to Spring Break prep that you should keep in mind: book selection. If you're lucky, you will be spending hours upon hours on those long stretches of white-sand beach, with nothing more to do than read a mindless, fun book and sip a jumbo strawberry daiquiri out of a swirly straw.
Here are my Spring Break reading suggestions:
1). Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin: Rachel and Darcy have been best friends since childhood, with Rachel always in the role as good girl and doormat, and Darcy as the over-the-top, domineering friend. Rachel is all set to play maid of honor in Darcy's wedding to Dex--that is, until she ends up in bed with Dex after one too many cocktails the night of her 30th birthday. Rachel realizes she has loved Dex all along, and Dex seems to care for her too, but plans for his wedding to Darcy also continue at full speed. This book essentially epitomizes the term "Beach Read." Buy it.
2). Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris: The HBO series True Blood is based off these books. I'm sure you're thinking: vampire books = beach reads? Really? YES. I love the show, and I love the books, but they are pretty dissimilar. The books fall under more of a dark comedy genre. Throughout the series, heroine Sookie Stackhouse battles everything from werewolves to sadistic fairies, all while juggling more supernatural love interests than I can count (I, personally, am rooting for Eric, the vampire). The books are fast, engaging and fun: definitely worth it!
3). Match Me if You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips: Looking to dip your toe into the romance genre without the full-on cliches of a wealthy Duke and a virginal heroine? Then this author is perfect for you! In this story, we have Heath, a wealthy Chicago sports agent and Annabelle, a down-on-her-luck matchmaker. Heath hires Annabelle to help him find a perfect trophy wife. Instead, (you guessed it!) the pair fall in love after a series of misadventures, fights and make-ups. Formulaic? Yes. Perfect reading material as you sun yourself in Cancun? Also, yes.
Looking for something slightly more serious? Read Water for Elephants, A Thousand Splendid Suns, Wicked, The Red Tent, The Other Boleyn Girl or Pillars of the Earth.
Already read all my Spring Break reads? Try Sloppy Firsts, Remember Me? or Chasing Harry Winston.
Need more suggestions? Let me know!
Here are my Spring Break reading suggestions:
1). Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin: Rachel and Darcy have been best friends since childhood, with Rachel always in the role as good girl and doormat, and Darcy as the over-the-top, domineering friend. Rachel is all set to play maid of honor in Darcy's wedding to Dex--that is, until she ends up in bed with Dex after one too many cocktails the night of her 30th birthday. Rachel realizes she has loved Dex all along, and Dex seems to care for her too, but plans for his wedding to Darcy also continue at full speed. This book essentially epitomizes the term "Beach Read." Buy it.
2). Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris: The HBO series True Blood is based off these books. I'm sure you're thinking: vampire books = beach reads? Really? YES. I love the show, and I love the books, but they are pretty dissimilar. The books fall under more of a dark comedy genre. Throughout the series, heroine Sookie Stackhouse battles everything from werewolves to sadistic fairies, all while juggling more supernatural love interests than I can count (I, personally, am rooting for Eric, the vampire). The books are fast, engaging and fun: definitely worth it!
3). Match Me if You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips: Looking to dip your toe into the romance genre without the full-on cliches of a wealthy Duke and a virginal heroine? Then this author is perfect for you! In this story, we have Heath, a wealthy Chicago sports agent and Annabelle, a down-on-her-luck matchmaker. Heath hires Annabelle to help him find a perfect trophy wife. Instead, (you guessed it!) the pair fall in love after a series of misadventures, fights and make-ups. Formulaic? Yes. Perfect reading material as you sun yourself in Cancun? Also, yes.
Looking for something slightly more serious? Read Water for Elephants, A Thousand Splendid Suns, Wicked, The Red Tent, The Other Boleyn Girl or Pillars of the Earth.
Already read all my Spring Break reads? Try Sloppy Firsts, Remember Me? or Chasing Harry Winston.
Need more suggestions? Let me know!
I have two, extremely contradictory comments:
ReplyDelete1. LOVE all of the "slightly more serious" reads. Although keeping up with the saga of Pillars would probably prove difficult after one or two umbrella drinks...
yet at the same time, 2. I am surprised/slightly disappointed to see that your list lacks Johanna Lindsay. Then again, I am sure you are planning on meeting a rough-around-the-edges, half-foreign, secretly-royal man IN PERSON on spring break, so why read about it? Good thinking. :)