four christmas break book recs

My list of things to do over Christmas break looks like this:

• read
• lounge on the couch
• read
• and read

It's been a pretty awesome break so far. I checked out tons of books from the library last week, and while some haven't been worth finishing, others have been keepers. Four in particular make my christmas break must-read list for all of you!

First up, Looking for Alaska by John Green, which I actually bought and read in Belfast -- I just had to buy a book at the Queen's University bookstore and John Green called my name. But if you haven't read it yet, it needs to be on your Christmas break list. It's hilarious, touching, and so so real: Pudge's journey to find his Great Perhaps at boarding school in Alabama is beautiful and always surprising. Basically, I didn't want to leave my hotel room to explore Belfast because John Green WINS the prize for best writing ever.

Second on the list, a much different book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Think...the craziest images smashed together in startling prose, a story about a young girl who loves books but lives in Nazi Germany -- all narrated by Death. Not a cynical, creepy Death -- but a gentle and tired Death who's scared of the violence of WWII and looking for a reason to hope for humanity. I cried. Many times.

Third, back to the present day, Saving Francesca by Melissa Marchetta. One morning, Francesca's mother doesn't get out of bed. Francesca, kind of a nobody at a mostly boys school in Australia, has to learn to cope without her energetic mother -- and discover who she is. It's joyful, it's real, it's funny, it's also one of the best books I've read in a long time. I'm going to reread it before I bring it back to the library. It's a life book, you know, one that makes you want to fly to Australia and be bffs with Francesca.

And fourth, Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson. This road trip story is pieced together by narrative, pictures, playlists, doodles, gas receipts, hotel bills, maps, and a sweet romance between two people who need the open road -- and many crazy detours -- to heal. Read it. Now. 

Still in my stack: Thirteen Reasons Why, The Dark Divine, Cracked Up To Be, and Jellicoe Road. Also My Name is Asher Lev (a reread) and some Steinbeck to prepare for my seminar class next semester! So much reading. Life is good.