Elizabeth Eck ’22
Spring break is almost upon us, and that means another break holed up inside our homes with absolutely nothing to do. Instead of binge watching yet another Netflix series, you can curl up on your couch with these books. Enjoy!
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett: In this novel, two siblings revisit the house of their childhoods: a massive mansion that their father bought for their mother, that triggers memories of the end of their peaceful family life they once knew. Taking place over the course of several decades, Danny, the narrator, reminisces on his sister, their stepmother, and the challenges that they overcome. I would highly recommend this book for someone who wants to delve deep into a character, or for someone who wants to explore a relationship between siblings.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante: Translated from Italian, My Brilliant Friend is the first installment in a series of books about two young girls, Lenù and Lila, who grow up in the same impoverished Naples neighborhood. The two girls traverse different paths in life, but always find a way to make it back to each other. The themes of socioeconomic status, female friendship, and childhood permeate the whole novel, and it is a fascinating representation of how women interact … I would recommend this book to someone who is interested in Italian culture or literature, and loves getting invested in a book series.
To All The Boys series by Jenny Han: Honestly, who doesn’t love this series? Lara-Jean Covey is a shy and awkward teenage girl, who suffers from long and often unrequited crushes. To cope, she writes letters to her crushes and stows them away in a hat-box. When the letters mysteriously get sent out, she has to figure out a way to deal with the disastrous results! I would recommend this series to someone who wants a light and fun read for spring break, or someone who loves romantic comedies.