With spring break approaching (hang in there, we’re so close!), what better way to decompress than with a good book? With the help of the Morris Hills community, The Hilltopper has gathered a comprehensive list of the best spring break reads.
Better than the Movies, by Lynn Painter (Romance)
Better than the Movies, filled with Taylor Swift references and lighthearted humor, follows hopeless romantic Liz Buxbaum. Junior Priyanka Patel said, “Better than the Movies is, like, the cutest rom-com. The chemistry is so good, but the individual characters are even better.”
Scythe, by Neal Shusterman (Fantasy)
“This has been one of my favorite books since 8th grade. It was initially a school assignment, but I read the entire book in a day and the entire trilogy in less than a couple of weeks. It’s full of suspense, thrilling plot twists,” junior Akshay Dhawan said. Scythe takes place in an ideal future – with no hunger, disease, or suffering. Scythes ends lives to keep the population in check, and the novel follows two apprentices to Scythes, who are individuals responsible for ending lives to prevent overpopulation in a world of immortality.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, by Jenny Han (Romance)
My personal recommendation would have to be To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, which follows Lara Jean, after her childhood love letters accidentally get mailed. It’s the perfect light read for spring break, and it doesn’t only focus on the romance, but also the sister dynamics. And if by any chance, you’re looking for a movie recommendation, the movie adaptation is one of my favorite comfort movies!
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, by Holly Black (Mystery)
As another one of my favorite all-time reads, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is sure to have you at the edge of your seat. The page-turning mystery follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi, as she investigates the murder of Andie Bell for her school project. This book had me wide awake at 3 a.m., with its suspenseful cliffhangers and plot twists.
Divine Rivals, by Rebecca Ross (Fantasy)
Divine Rivals is the story of two rival journalists and a war between the gods – what more can you ask for? “It’s the most beautiful book ever written. It will leave you in tears and have you reading until 2 a.m.,” junior Ishita Banerjee said. “The writing will make you rethink your life.”
When No One Is Watching, by Alyssa Cole (Thriller, Mystery)
The novel follows Brooklyn resident Sydney Green and strange phenomena occurring with the gentrification of her neighborhood. “I loved this book because I learned about true historical and current events that were dramatized into a thrilling fictional read,” Spanish teacher Señora Bailey said. “It kept me guessing until the end.”
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, by Suzanne Collins (Dystopia)
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to the beloved “The Hunger Games” franchise. “If you’ve read and enjoyed the ‘Hunger Games’ series, reading this allows you to make some mind-blowing connections with the Games, characters, and events,” junior Sosi Hoerning said. Though I personally have only read the first book in the series but watched all the movies, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was a phenomenal read. Collins’ writing is truly incredible, and the fast-paced plot kept me hooked.
Sum: Forty Tales of the Afterlives, by David Eagleman (Fiction, Philosophy)
Named one of the Best Books of 2009 by Barnes and Noble, Sum is “a short read about forty possible afterlife scenarios that will stick with you a long time and make you think about the joy of living,” English teacher Mr. Fahrer said.
Find a comfortable spot, whether it be on your bed, the Barnes and Noble cafe, or at the library. Maybe grab a cup of coffee, play some music, or light a candle. Whatever your perfect reading environment might be, spring break is the perfect opportunity to get cozy and read a good book.
We at The Hilltopper are more than curious: what are your favorite spring break reads?