Five Spring Break Books

Over Spring Break, students have the opportunity to take a mental break as well as a literal one. Read these exciting, sizzling, zany books to have a totally crazy break.

“Nevada” by Imogen Binnie

Imogen Binnie is part of a new, hip, irreverent movement in queer literature, and it shows. This is a transgender novel, and a novel about being transgender, but Maria is rounded out and interesting. The novel chronicles her experience meeting James, a potential transgender girl, after losing her job and girlfriend. The novel rings proud and true the whole way through, but get prepared for an abrupt ending and sighing, “I wish I knew what happened next!”

“Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?” by Jeanette Winterson

Winterson’s memoir is a non-linear account of her relationship with her mother, and its simple, clear prose emphasizes her feelings in a succinct and powerful way. It serves as a companion memoir to her classic novel “Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit,” clarifying and revealing facets of Winterson’s life not present in the based-on-her-life novel. Shocking but poignant, one can read through this memoir in one sitting.

“Sorry Please Thank You” by Charles Yu

This collection of sci-fi short stories falls into the vein of surrealistic normality which has become so popular. Fans of “Welcome to Night Vale” or the webseries ”Carmilla”  will enjoy the melancholy musings of a man dealing with zombies in his grocery store (even though all he wants is a date) and the exploits of a band of video game heroes.

“Miles from Nowhere” by Nami Mun

Mun channels her own experiences as a Korean immigrant into this raw and other adjective novel. The protagonist, Joon, leaves an abusive household at age 13 to try life on her own, encountering other homeless kids, God on a public bus, and various odd jobs. Mun’s straightforward yet lucid language turns Joon’s pain into art instead of something pitiable. This book will suck you in and spit you out looking at the world in a new, hazy, intangible light.

“Dora: A Headcase” by Lidia Yuknavitch

This novel takes a slice right out of teenage life. Based on a real case of Freud’s, this novel gives a modern voice to an old story. Dora messes things up and lies and deals with distant parents and pressure to be a little more normal. She’s relatable; she’s engaging; she’s funny; she’s human. Her exploits deserve three hours of anybody’s time.