March 2 marks National Read Across America Day, a holiday established by the National Education Association to celebrate the joy of reading and spread awareness about how reading regularly can have a positive impact on our lives.
Speaking of which, did you know that reading is a great stress-reliever? Studies have shown reading for just six minutes a day can reduce stress in our daily lives. For busy college students, making leisure reading a part of your routine (even just a few pages a day!) can be a great way to practice self-care.
If you’re searching for your next read, look no further: People of Pacific’s student contributors took a quick break from their office duties to share their picks!
Abigail Landers, Photographer/Videographer
My favorite book is “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt. This novel follows a group of university students in New England as they attempt to cover up the murder of their friend, Bunny. I love this book because the murder is revealed in the prologue, leaving the reader to discover the events that led up to said murder. On top of that, Tartt’s writing is simply beautiful as she exposes the character’s fatal flaws and truly acknowledges that “beauty is terror.”
Chelbi Juan, Copywriter
One of my favorite books is “The Help” by Katherine Stockett. The novel takes place in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s, when the time of segregation was prevalent and the norm. The two main characters, Skeeter Phelan and Aibileen Clark, offer two different perspectives of the time as Phelan is a white, educated woman who comes from money and Clark is a Black maid. Phelan, along with the other black maids of the community, write and publish a book made up of stories from the maids’ lives depicting the horrid work conditions they must endure. It is a serious yet feel-good book with many complex and interesting characters.
Samantha Tannahill, Marketing Producer
My favorite book is Anthony Burgess’ “A Clockwork Orange,” which was originally published in 1962 (fun fact: it wasn’t until 1986 that America began including the final chapter in printing!) The novel, set in a violent, near-future society, follows a 14-year-old delinquent named Alex who undergoes a controversial treatment to re-enter society after being sent to prison. When I first picked this book up my sophomore year of high school, I was fascinated by its use of Nadsat, a form of Russian-English slang. Though I think Kubrick’s film adaptation is fantastic, nothing can beat the original novel of “A Clockwork Orange”!