Books for the Burnt Out
Reading recommendations for busy students
By Meredith Toussaint
As we come closer to finals week and the end of the semester, I know I’m not alone in having a to-do list a mile long full of readings, papers, tests and quizzes for the classes I’m taking. Even as someone who has always been an avid reader, this doesn’t leave much time to read books for leisure. I recently spoke with Gabrielle Holzmer, a graduate assistant at the St. Kate’s library, who gave me some recommendations for what to read when you need a break from academics. All of these books are available to check out at the library on campus.
One of Holzmer’s first recommendations was “Girl Gone Missing” by Marcie Rendon. Returning students might recognize this as the One Read for Racial Justice from the 2021-22 school year. The book tells the story of multiple college-aged women who go missing from the perspective of the main character, Cash Blackbear. It is “a story that is deeply linked to the horrific influx of missing and murdered indigenous women in real life,” Holzmer said. I found this book to be not only very eye-opening, but also engaging and interesting to read. It is perfect for someone looking for readable books also connected to issues of social justice.
“The Guest List” by Lucy Foley “hearkens back to the classic Agatha Christie mysteries,” Holzmer said. The basis of the story is a murder that occurs on a remote island during a wedding. Holzmer also said that Foley’s use of many different narrators “adds unique personality to each guest and plenty of atmosphere, reminiscent of a play.” As a fan of Agatha Christie, mysteries in general and especially the “closed murder” idea, I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The suspense and the constant question of what happened are intriguing and enjoyable for fellow mystery lovers. “The Guest List” is available as an audiobook from the St. Kate’s library.
Another suggestion was “The Graveyard Book” by Neil Gaiman, which tells the story of an orphan named Bod who lives in a graveyard. The book shows both Bod’s interactions with the supernatural beings in the graveyard as well as how he deals with these experiences as he grows up. Holzmer said that “‘The Graveyard Book’ still has plenty to offer for adults,” even though it is often considered a young adult novel. This book is also a quick read, and one that will captivate you from the first page on.
Another suggestion from Holzmer was “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” the wildly popular historical fiction novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The story follows Evelyn Hugo, an actress from the early 20th century who is being interviewed years after she has retired by a reporter named Monique. Monique ends up learning “about her numerous marriages during the course of her life, and the truth behind who she really loved,” Holzmer said. This story is the perfect opportunity for escapism; leave your class work behind for a few minutes each day and follow Evelyn Hugo back to the world of 1900s Hollywood.
If you didn’t find anything here that interests you, the librarians are always happy to help you with your search. Additionally, Access Services and Resource Sharing Librarian Jade Erickson pointed out that audiobooks and ebooks are available for students to check out. They are not only easier to access, but also do not have due dates, which is helpful for students with busy schedules. Ultimately, do not be discouraged if you don’t have the time to read in the middle of the semester. But if it’s something you love to do, check out one of these titles for a fun and easy reading experience.
