Photos Courtesy of Penguin Random House Publishing, W. W. Norton and Company Publishing, Bloomsbury Publishing and Harper Publishing.
With all of this dreary rain and fog, it’s easy to settle into an energy slump. We all just want to stay in bed and watch Netflix with some snacks and a coffee. But who wants to binge watch the same show over and over? How about an old-school change of pace? These are just a few book recommendations that will cure any gray day and remind you that reading can be fun.
“Wave” by Sonali Deraniyagala: This intense memoir completely sweeps you away as Deraniyagala remembers the tsunami that hit the coast of Sri Lanka in 2004 from a first-person perspective. Clocking in at only 228 pages, “Wave” is the perfect stormy novel for a dark and foggy day. Deraniyagala takes the reader through her truly suspenseful journey of survival with this New York Times Bestseller.
“Fairyland, A Memoir of my Father” by Alysia Abbott: “Fairyland,” another memoir, chronicles Abbott’s relationship with her late father, Steve Abbott. Tasteful sprinklings of accounts by her father’s friends create a well-rounded visage of her father, and speaks to their dysfunctional relationship. What’s more, the unique perspective Abbott gives on the gay community and culture in the 1980s, especially when it comes to the AIDS epidemic, is extremely interesting. Set in squally San Francisco, the scenes of struggle between the author’s parents are balanced perfectly with scenes of true father-daughter bonding about art, life and the journey they embark on together.
“The Signature of All Things” by Elizabeth Gilbert: From the author of “Eat Pray Love” comes another engaging read. The abundant images of green foliage that the protagonist, Alma Whittaker, surrounds herself with makes this book particularly good for rainy days, as we can watch how green campus is made after all the light drizzles. “The Signature of All Things” brings the reader closer to nature, and also lets the reader bear witness to a whimsical love story that is a perfect escape from schoolwork.
“The Accursed” by Joyce Carol Oates: For those particularly dark and stormy days, “The Accursed” is just as much a story of rescue as it is horror. This New York Times Bestseller takes place in Princeton, New Jersey in 1905. As ghoulish figures begin plaguing the dreams of the residents of this town, the daughters of the upper-class families begin to disappear, and the abduction of a bride starts a chilling series of events. With famous historical characters like Woodrow Wilson, Upton Sinclair and Mark Twain, making (fictional) cameos throughout, and classic gothic horror mixed in, this book is the perfect way to add excitement to any gloomy day.
Whatever your style, these tales has something for everyone. Curling up with any of them is the perfect cure for these gray, dreary days.
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