Spring Break Reading Recommendations
No matter if you’re curled up at home or relaxing on a beach, Spring Break is meant for R&R — resting and reading. If you want a compelling book to dive into this coming week, look no further than this list of five recommendations, all published within the last three years.
For romance readers: “Happy Place” by Emily Henry
When Harriet and Wyn start dating in college, it seems like they are going to be together forever. The problem is, sometimes, forever doesn’t go according to plan. Secretly broken up, they find themselves stuck sharing a room (and a bed) during their friends’ yearly getaway in Maine. Equal parts angst and summer sunshine, “Happy Place” by Emily Henry is a second chance romance, an excellent choice for any rom-com lover.
For literary fiction fans: “Colored Television” By Danzy Senna
Jane, a struggling writer, is determined to turn around her and her family’s life by completing her second novel. However, when her agent and editor are less than enthused by her finished manuscript, Jane shifts her focus to Hollywood where a producer, hoping to generate “diverse content,” is thrilled by her pitch for a sitcom about a biracial family. Jane’s life finally seems to be going right, until it starts going wrong. This dark comedy is a page-turner with clever writing, a cast of intriguing characters and thoughtful meditations on the entertainment industry today.
For history buffs: “The Lion Women of Tehran” by Marjan Kamali
Ellie and Homa meet as young girls on the first day of school, quickly becoming best friends. When Ellie’s family moves away to a wealthier part of Tehran, however, they lose touch. Many years later, Homa reappears as a new student at Ellie’s private school, eager to reconnect and disrupting Ellie’s privileged life. Through Ellie and Homa’s complicated relationship across decades, Kamala explores female friendship, loyalty and activism in 20th century Iran. For fans of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet or historical fiction fans, “The Lion Women of Tehran” is a great read.
For fantasy fanatics: “Babel” by R.F. Kuang
Dark academia meets fantasy in “Babel” by R.F. Kuang, when Robin Swift, an orphan from Canton, is brought to London to study languages. For years, he is prepared by the mysterious Professor Lovell to enroll in Oxford University’s Royal Institute of Translation, “Babel,” where magic, translation and language become inseparable. Through a rich universe and compelling cohort of Oxford students, R.F. Kuang explores questions of colonial resistance and the power of language.
For a novel under 200 pages:“Open Throat” by Henry Hoke
Haven’t you heard? A hungry mountain lion lives underneath the Hollywood sign. That is, until, when a fire catches nearby, the mountain lion is forced to roam the streets of Los Angeles. “Open Throat” will make you laugh and cry as the lion explores everything from cities and gender identity to what it means to be (or eat) a human. At only 160 pages, if you are looking for short high-quality literary fiction, take a bite out of “Open Throat.”
More from The Rice Thresher
Review: “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” in Concert with Houston Symphony
I was too young to catch the Harry Potter films in theaters when they first came out, but I still remember my earliest encounter with the series. After racing through the books in second grade, I ran straight to the library to check out the DVDs, clutching them like they were sacred artifacts. Even on a small screen, they felt magical, like the world was opening a secret door just for me.
A Texan’s Lollapalooza survival guide 2025
Unfamiliar with public transit or walkable streets? Terrified of skyscrapers taller than any medical center building? Fear not. This lifelong (for all intents and purposes) Texan was technically born in the Chicago area and is here to keep you alive, hydrated and — ideally — in possession of all your belongings during Lollapalooza. Grant Park opens its gates July 31 through Aug. 3 for Lollapalooza’s annual marathon of music, heat and inevitable port-a-potty searching. Pack your reusable bottle, channel some “Culture of Care” and hit the rail.
7 lesser-known artists to check out at Lollapalooza!
Grant Park’s headliners will draw the masses, but the real bragging rights come from catching tomorrow’s favorites before your roommate has added them to the group Spotify. There are so many great artists performing, and if you float from stage to stage, you just may find your next musical obsession. Here are some possible contenders:
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.