Sofia Garcia '23
Picture this: it’s snowing outside and school is canceled because of wi-fi problems. You sit by your fire on a nice, comfy chair and play some holiday music. With a cup of hot chocolate next to your window, you get ready to open up a book to read. But which book should you read? I’ve mixed together some oldies, some suspenseful, some fantasy, and some new..
1. HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE - J.K. Rowling (2000)
If you’re looking to escape to something fantastical, try the Harry Potter series. Not only is this series extremely nostalgic for those who have already read the series, but I consider it to be trivial reading for a teen’s cultural knowledge. Harry Potter will transport you to another world-and I think we could all use an escape right now. I especially recommend reading the Goblet of Fire around the holidays so that you can experience the seasonal Yule Ball. Plus, when you’re done reading, you can watch the movie! Try the illustrated version if you want to experience the story from a new perspective!
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2. LET IT SNOW - John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle (2008)
If you loved The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, or Truly Devious you’ll definitely love Let it Snow! When you’re done, you can also watch the Netflix adaptation!
The book follows a snowstorm that leaves teens stranded at home and it delves into romance and mystery. This is broken up into three romantic stories from the perspectives of the teens stranded inside. It also takes place over the course of twenty-four hours which makes this book a page-turner!
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3. LITTLE WOMEN - Louisa May Alcott (1868)
Little Women! I love how contemporary it feels despite being written in 1868. It’s the perfect book for anyone who is feeling particularly lonely during these turbulent months. The positive energy of the March sisters will feel like a warm hug. Throughout the course of Little Women, you will fall in love with every character, have a favorite sister, and explore countless romance and love triangles. Plus, when you’re done you can watch Greta Gerwig’s amazing adaptation of Little Women that came out about a year ago.
A coming of age story following the March sisters; Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy during the 1860’s.
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4. THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET - Brian Selznick (2007)
Explore 1930s Paris with Hugo, an orphan boy and Isabelle, a rebellious teen, as they discover the mystery of Hugo’s father and his abandoned projects...
Despite the 526 page count, this book is a quick read as it is mixed with art and text. It has also been adapted into a movie which is available to watch on Netflix!
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5. FELIX EVER AFTER - Kacen Callender (2020)
A coming of age story about a black, queer, transgender teen who falls in love while dealing with hatred and fear. Felix will implore you to ask important questions and encourage you to embrace who you are and practice self-love.
This is the perfect heartwarming romance to bring happy tears to your eyes.
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6. ONE OF US IS LYING - Karen M. McManus (2017)
After a murder is discovered, only 4 high schoolers are seen as the possible suspects; each getting to narrate the story from their point of view. This page-turner is highly popular amongst teens and can certainly be read in one sitting. So cancel your plans, grab a warm drink, and prepare to watch this mystery unfold.
If you can’t get enough of Karen M. McManus’ One of Us is Next
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7. Between Shades of Gray - Ruta Sepetys (2011)
This heartbreaking story follows 15-year-old Lina who is arrested by the Soviet police and sent to Siberia where she tries to survive and contact her father.
Ruta Sepetys’ writing style will surely bring tears to your eyes in this historical fiction novel.
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Remember to keep reading during the holiday season (or start if you haven’t already). You can also apply for an online Mercer County Library card using this link: https://mcl.org/online-registration
There are plenty of resources available to give you access to thousands of ebooks and audiobooks. Sign up for virtual libraries like hoopla, flipster, and libby for free using your library card.
You can also take a look at our school library system and ebooks: Link
Username and password is your student ID.
Happy reading!
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