Long gone are the days of long nights and chilly winds because spring has sprung. While students adjust to the busy day-to-day schedule of classes and prepare for finals, there should also be time to bask in the sun and relax.
Listed below are some books students can grab to read, whether cozied up in a hammock on a clear day, sitting in their room on a rainy day or in the library between classes.
“Legends and Lattes” by Travis Baldree
Genre(s): cozy fantasy, high fantasy
“Legends and Lattes” centers on orc mercenary Viv, who has decided to put her sword to rest and move to a small, quiet town. Her goal is to open up a coffee shop, but that proves to be very difficult when no one in the town has even heard of coffee. However, Viv will not be deterred, so she sets off to fulfill her dream of starting up a successful coffee shop. She finds running her business to be therapeutic and relaxing compared to her past bloody work.
This is a very cozy read, often praised because of its “high fantasy, low stakes” premise. You’ll find yourself speeding through this one to pass the time, getting lost in the adorable interactions Viv has with her customers and the mouthwatering descriptions of coffee and pastries. Coffee and fantasy lovers may enjoy this one.
Content warnings: brief description of graphic violence at the very beginning of the book — from there it’s smooth sailing.
“Hooky” by Míriam Bonastre Tur
Genre(s): fantasy
This Webtoon-turned-graphic novel centers around Dani and Dorian, two twin witches who have missed the bus to magic school and must now find a teacher. Luckily, they come across an old fortune teller in a small seaside town who is willing to teach them the art of magic. Under his tutelage, the twins soon find themselves at the center of a disastrous prophecy that affects witches and non-witches alike. Throughout their adventures, they make friends and enemies that teach them many lessons in this coming-of-age story.
This is a binge-read for sure. Míriam Bonastre Tur’s art style is adorable and very colorful, which makes every page pop, and the entire series pleasing to the eye. “Hooky” is a three book graphic novel series, with 222 episodes on Webtoon. It is also appropriate for all ages.
“Happy Place” by Emily Henry
Genre(s): contemporary romance
Harriet and Wynn were always the perfect couple, until their unfortunate break-up six months ago. Every year, they and their friends have a relaxing summer vacation at a cozy cottage in Maine. However, this year will be the last they are able to repeat this trip because the cottage is being sold. Harriet and Wynn’s friends are determined to have a perfect last vacation, so they both agree to lie and pretend to still be together in front of their friends. Through this farce, they begin to unravel all of the complicated reasons they split up in the first place, and must decide if they want to give it another shot.
This book will tear you apart and stitch you back together again as you watch the rise and fall of Harriet and Wynn’s relationship. It is also a fairly quick read, due to its short and fun chapters.
Emily Henry, known commonly as the “queen of romance” in the novel industry, does not disappoint, bringing a great mix of humor and emotion to the table.
Spring is a time for new beginnings, and change is a big theme in this book, as Harriet must come to terms with her changing relationships and new goals in life. There is also some discussion about mental health.
“Juniper and Thorn” by Ava Reid
Genre(s): fantasy, gothic horror
In this loose retelling of “The Juniper Tree”, young witch Marlinchen and her two sisters work for their abusive father, creating remedies for their clients. They are the last witches in their city, confined to their house under their father’s thumb. Magic is disappearing in a new wave of industrialization, only adding more fuel to their father’s anger. One night, Marlinchen is invited on a secret outing with her sisters, and everything changes when she becomes enamored with the ballet dancer Sevas.
Her attraction towards Sevas causes her to break her father’s rules — something she’s never dared to do before — and in doing so, she discovers she is a lot stronger than anyone, including herself, gives her credit for. Her outings with Sevas put her in grave danger, however, as a monster is roaming the city and devouring its people.
You do not need to have read “The Juniper Tree” to understand this book, but if you have, you may appreciate the references to the original tale. This book has plenty of mysterious magical vibes like the Grimm Fairy Tales. Heed the content warnings though, as this book gets very dark and gory at points. There are similar themes to Ava Reid’s dark academia novel “A Study in Drowning” in discussing misogyny and having a female protagonist that struggles to find her voice.
Content warning(s): graphic descriptions of violence, sexual assault, abuse
“Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernardine Evaristo
Genre(s): literary, contemporary fiction
A compilation of stories about — mostly — Black women in the UK, highlighting the ups and downs of their experiences. These stories span across many years, through different generations, also showcasing the generational trauma that can be carried down through Black families.
It has many themes concerning feminism, identity and relationships of all kinds. You get to be in the headspaces of many different characters, some pleasant and some less so, as you travel with these characters throughout their lives and see them discover themselves. It’s incredibly inspiring to read about their resolve as they find their place in a world that continuously tries to stamp them out.
Each character has a very unique experience, from a jaded schoolteacher, a radical playwright, a single mother of three and many more. Be sure to heed the content warnings, however. It is an amazing book that tackles very sensitive subject matter.
Content warning(s): sexual assault, transphobia, racism, sexism, domestic violence, infidelity
