The Perfect 'Do Not Disturb' Reading List
The winter is a great time to start daydreaming about your spring vacation. Do not forget your sunblock, wide-brimmed hat, and cash for the piña coladas from the cute bartender. Another important item to bring, is a great book to read as you leisurely spend time lying in the sun and sand.
We have compiled a list of some of the best books to read on spring break that will make you return home feeling refreshed, and with new knowledge to share! Your friends will be begging for book lists from you in no time with this killer concoction of reading material.
1. Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Adichie, born in Nigeria, now calls the United States a second home. ‘Americanah’ explores the distinctions between what it is to be an African-American and an American-African in her ambitious third novel. Adichie is not only interested in race, but the experience of what it is to be human, black, and a black woman. You may already know Adichie from listening to Beyoncé’s song “Flawless”, where an excerpt of her TED Talk, “Why We Should All Be Feminists” is featured.
2. Braving the Wilderness - Brené Brown
In a technologically driven world, Brown harnesses how to create a sense of community. Through her research, she readily discovered that individuals are still longing for face-to-face interaction with others within their networks. This book presents the reader with tangible steps to build your network outside your phone screen and the value of doing so.
3. Turtles All the Way Down - John Green
“Turtles All the Way Down” is the first book John Green has written since 2012’s “The Fault of Our Stars.” The novel is told from the point-of-view of 16-year-old Aza Holmes. The girl is burdened with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety, all while trying to solve the disappearance of a billionaire father. During all this chaos, a love story blooms.
4. We are Never Meeting in Real Life - Samantha Irby
Sounding like the slogan to the Tinder era, “We are Never Meeting in Real Life,” is a book of essays that is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. Bitches Gotta Eat blogger, Samantha Irby covers topics ranging from making budgets to being a bachelorette. These essays are wonderful, quick reads on your spring vacation.
4. The Last Black Unicorn - Tiffany Haddish
Comedian, actress, and Best Selling Author Tiffany Haddish grew up in South Central Los Angeles. To help alleviate the trying times of poverty, humor was brought into the mix. “The Last Black Unicorn” brings the light spirited fun to the reader. She talks about growing up with coming-of-age and sense of humor interlaced with a plethora of jokes. This book has praise from Kevin Hart, Charlamagne tha God, Vanity Fair and Vogue.
5. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry - Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Neil DeGrasse Tyson is arguably America’s most loved astrophysicist. In his new book, “Astrophysics for People in Hurry” is a no-frills adventure into the universe. Tyson makes the complex intricacies of the universe easy to understand. You will not be able to put this book down as you are soaking up the rays of the sun. You may just view the sun in a whole new light after reading this epic book.
6. How to be a Bawse - Lilly Singh
Lilly Singh started her voice and fame through her YouTube channel. Since then, she has garnered roughly 13 million followers vlogging. Her book “How to be a Bawse” delves into how to be your best, most bawse self. This book is full of inspiration and steps to take to be a bawse lady over your own life. You will want to head home from your spring break feeling empowered and enlightened after finishing this book.
7. Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow - Yuval Harari
From best-selling author of “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind,” “Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow," is a follow-up book regarding the future of humanity. If you are interested in technological advancements and how they interlace with humanity in the future, this is a great book to spark your curious mind on vacation.
8. Born a Crime - Trevor Noah
In this beautiful and compassionate autobiography, Trevor Noah speaks the story of his life from his humble South African Apartheid beginnings. His father was white and his mother was black. In the political circumstances, Noah was quite literally considered a crime. This is quite the inspirational autobiography as Noah is one of the most successful people in America, today. This is a page-turner you will not want to put down until you have reached the very last page.
9. Behave - Robert M. Sapolsky
If you are interested in human psychology, “Behave” by Robert M. Sapolsky is a great go-to. The book takes you into the human mind, telling the reader why we react to the situations that we do. This book may just have you thinking about your brain in a whole new way.
