Spring Break Reading Recommendations
No matter if you’re curled up at home or relaxing on a beach, Spring Break is meant for R&R — resting and reading. If you want a compelling book to dive into this coming week, look no further than this list of five recommendations, all published within the last three years.
For romance readers: “Happy Place” by Emily Henry
When Harriet and Wyn start dating in college, it seems like they are going to be together forever. The problem is, sometimes, forever doesn’t go according to plan. Secretly broken up, they find themselves stuck sharing a room (and a bed) during their friends’ yearly getaway in Maine. Equal parts angst and summer sunshine, “Happy Place” by Emily Henry is a second chance romance, an excellent choice for any rom-com lover.
For literary fiction fans: “Colored Television” By Danzy Senna
Jane, a struggling writer, is determined to turn around her and her family’s life by completing her second novel. However, when her agent and editor are less than enthused by her finished manuscript, Jane shifts her focus to Hollywood where a producer, hoping to generate “diverse content,” is thrilled by her pitch for a sitcom about a biracial family. Jane’s life finally seems to be going right, until it starts going wrong. This dark comedy is a page-turner with clever writing, a cast of intriguing characters and thoughtful meditations on the entertainment industry today.
For history buffs: “The Lion Women of Tehran” by Marjan Kamali
Ellie and Homa meet as young girls on the first day of school, quickly becoming best friends. When Ellie’s family moves away to a wealthier part of Tehran, however, they lose touch. Many years later, Homa reappears as a new student at Ellie’s private school, eager to reconnect and disrupting Ellie’s privileged life. Through Ellie and Homa’s complicated relationship across decades, Kamala explores female friendship, loyalty and activism in 20th century Iran. For fans of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet or historical fiction fans, “The Lion Women of Tehran” is a great read.
For fantasy fanatics: “Babel” by R.F. Kuang
Dark academia meets fantasy in “Babel” by R.F. Kuang, when Robin Swift, an orphan from Canton, is brought to London to study languages. For years, he is prepared by the mysterious Professor Lovell to enroll in Oxford University’s Royal Institute of Translation, “Babel,” where magic, translation and language become inseparable. Through a rich universe and compelling cohort of Oxford students, R.F. Kuang explores questions of colonial resistance and the power of language.
For a novel under 200 pages:“Open Throat” by Henry Hoke
Haven’t you heard? A hungry mountain lion lives underneath the Hollywood sign. That is, until, when a fire catches nearby, the mountain lion is forced to roam the streets of Los Angeles. “Open Throat” will make you laugh and cry as the lion explores everything from cities and gender identity to what it means to be (or eat) a human. At only 160 pages, if you are looking for short high-quality literary fiction, take a bite out of “Open Throat.”
More from The Rice Thresher
Hazelight’s ‘Split Fiction’ is a new co-op masterpiece
"Split Fiction" might just be the Game of the Year — assuming Rockstar doesn’t finally release "GTA VI." After Hazelight Studios’ smash hit "It Takes Two," expectations were high, and "Split Fiction" absolutely delivered. Already surpassing one million sales within two days, the game became an instant sensation, and notably deserves its acclaim.
Review: BakerShake shines, falters in directing
BakerShake’s 2025 production of "Macbeth" saw impressive acting but lackluster directing. Performed in Baker Commons on March 6, 7 and 8, the cast of Macbeth were undermined by artistic decisions which made the show harder to perform.
Review: “Ne Zha 2” takes risks – and they pay off
Earlier last week, “Ne Zha 2” became the first animated film to reach $2 billion in global ticket sales, making it the top grossing animated film of all time after surpassing last year’s “Inside Out 2”. A loose adaptation of the story of Chinese mythological figure Nezha as told by the 16th century novel “Investiture of the Gods”, the film follows Ne Zha, a young boy born with the power of the fiery Demon Pill, as he completes three trials to protect his hometown of Chengtang Pass and save the life of his friend Ao Bing.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.