Winter break is the perfect time for leisure reading

The promise of winter break is soon upon us. After a grueling semester of hard work and (yes) tears, the freedom of an obligation-less break is nigh.

For me, this means continuing books I started reading in the summer or picking up some new releases from the library.

In the summer of 2018 as a grown adult, I started reading the Harry Potter series. You may be thinking, “Why now? Isn’t that a children’s series?”

To answer, I’m reading the series now because I couldn’t pronounce any of the names, spells or places when I was a child. And yes, they are children’s books. But what is cool about the Harry Potter series is that it grew along with its audience and the later books in the series offer some sinister tales.

So for my winter break, I will be finishing up the last two books of the series and capping it with a movie marathon.

Maybe this rings true for you as well if you started a series in the summer like I did and are dying to finish it. But there are lots of other books out there to be had.

For instance, if you’ve been too busy to catch up with the current impeachment trial of our President Donald Trump, there was a book released at the end of November detailing the case against him titled “Impeach: the Case Against Donald Trump”.

It’s relatively short (224 pages) and seems a far easier way of learning about the impeachment trial than sifting through dozens of news sources.

Recently, bookseller conglomerate Barnes & Noble released their 2019 Book of the Year finalist and its contenders. This year’s Book of the Year is “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” by Charlie Mackesy.

At first glance, it looks to be a children’s book with its child’s perspective and illustrations, but reviews say it’s a book for all ages as it tells a story of finding yourself in uncertain times. As a college student still navigating through life, I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

Another National Book Award finalist titled “Disappearing Earth” by Julia Phillips, released in May of this year, is another one I have my eye on.

“Disappearing Earth” speaks not on climate change, but of a story about two missing girls that showcase the bonds of family and community through the tumultuous journey of the police investigation. This book seems as rich in story as it is in morals, and it will be added to my reading list.

Lastly, I have been holding out on reading “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens. I want to give it the time and respect it deserves by reading through it without weeks in-between of not picking it up again, which would have been the case if I tried to read it during the busy school year.

“Where the Crawdads Sing” seems to be the hottest book of the year and it’s all anyone can talk about. The story features a tale of an outcast named Kya Clark dubbed the “Marsh Girl.” Kya becomes the center of an investigation when someone in the town goes missing, but it’s easy to place the blame on someone who doesn’t fit in, right?

2019 was filled with coming-of-age stories and accounts of “pulling yourself up by the bootstraps” and are perfect for ending the year on a high note.