Lydia Glenn

News Editor

lmg5921@psu.edu

1. Beautiful World, Where are You by Sally Rooney
   1. This book is one of the best books I have read in a while. Sally Rooney is a master at pulling audiences in and making them feel the characters emotions. Throughout the story, her characters struggle with the many things we as a society struggle with. They are trying to find their place in the world as they deal with existential crises paired with heartbreak and absent parents. They really are all just looking for a beautiful world to be fulfilled by. 
2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
   1. Taylor Jenkins Reid is a fantastic writer, and this is her best work yet. While I was reading this book, I felt as though she transcended me through time and placed me in the 50s with her characters. The book follows the story of a famous actress who was known for marrying 7 times. The actress’s story is astounding, depressing, and filled with repressed emotions waiting to come to the surface. With a twist at the end of the book, I was left speechless. This book is a must read. 
3. Nick by Michael Farris Smith
   1. This book, which Michael Farris Smith wrote as a prerequisite to The Great Gatsby, is an amazing read. Although I am still privy to Fitzgerald, I thought Smith did a wonderful job creating a new Nick that we do not see in Fitzgerald’s world. It was a slow burn, but in the end, I was left wanting more. His writing style is provocative yet subtle, and audiences who love The Great Gatsby are bound to love this work of fiction. 
4. Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
   1. This is obviously a must read for fans of Agatha Christie who are excited about the new movie. Even without the release of the movie, Death on the Nile is a classic, much like any work Christie wrote. If you are a fan of murder mysteries, high class scandal, and all-around British civilization, this book is for you. (Also, any Agatha Christie novel is a thrill, she never missed with her books). 
5. If It Bleeds by Stephen King
   1. Stephen King’s new series of short stories did not disappoint. While not outright scary like It or Cujo, If It Bleeds was a jumble of weirdness with a little bit of “what?” thrown in. My favorite short story was If It Bleeds. This story was one of the strangest and best stories I have ever read, and I would read it again. His attention to detail and his character development creeped me out more than his other works. I would definitely recommend it if you are a Stephen King fan.