Reading tips for spring break

Beach books

I think that every student at the University of Dallas felt the effects of burnout last week as we struggled into the midterms. But after just a few days of perseverance, we will again be able to sleep more than 8 hours, eat at the proper time, and perhaps even engage in leisure activities – even if only for a short nine days.

When you’re taking a physical break from your favorite school, consider taking a partial break from your studies as well, and consider some of these reading tips to restore your energy.

To start your break, perhaps start with Agatha Christie’s famous murder mystery, Death on the Nile. Egypt and intrigue: a killer combination that is sure to draw you in. But if you’re in the mood for a kill and are planning a busy week, then maybe try Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game; this short story will make you look over your shoulder. You can also use both of these suggestions in a movie adaptation – though the movie will never be as good as the book – if you’re in a vegetative state.

If you’re already deep into your vegetative state by Friday night and looking for romance to feel good about yourself, try Emily Henry’s Beach Reading.

There’s nothing better than high school reading to grab your attention for a little while. If you’re into romance and fairy tale retelling, try Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. This bildungsroman will leave a magical aftertaste that will help you get through the second half of the semester.

In the spirit of the high school books, Trenton Lee Stewart’s The Secret Society of Benedict includes eccentric characters, spy work, and friendships in an adventure that every UD student considers himself fit for as a child.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd is a coming-of-age story set in South Carolina. If you feel like reflecting on friendship, family, and memory itself during this break, then this book is for you.

If you’re really on the beach during spring break, you should read The Old Man and the Sea, an American classic by Ernest Hemingway. With some melancholy and some reflection, this story is about the struggle and determination of a man.

If you’re in the mood for a short comedy, I would recommend both the play and the film adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. This ridiculous tale of identity and romance is sure to make you laugh.

It’s the middle of the semester now and it seems almost impossible to add anything else to the busy schedule. Leisure began to fade into the background, and sometimes basic human needs. If you’re experiencing burnout and exhaustion and can’t read a novel, play, or even a short story during spring break, then maybe just read one poem.

“Maggie, Millie, Molly and May” by E. Cummings touches the heart of a weary student. Revive yourself with this short, sweet, and comforting poem.

There are often two temptations during spring break: use each day to catch up on school, or avoid your duties like the plague. During this break, it will be important to find a healthy balance between work and play, responsibility and leisure, reading at school and reading at leisure.

Forgetting your brain in your dorm room will not help you continue the semester on your strong side, just as constant burnout will not help you achieve your goals. Make time for this break to rest, keep your mind flexible and return on March 20th with a renewed spirit!