With April fast approaching, the end of the year is coming closer. And while there may be a shortage of school days, there is never a shortage of books! Now that spring break is over, it is time to once again hit the shelves in search of the perfect book. 

This month, I attempted to gather various genres of books. We’re all creatures of habit, and it can be hard for us to branch out once we find something we like. I often find myself reading the same genre over and over again. This time, however, I picked all over the board. The subject matter ranges from physiological thrillers to analyzing country music. Their truly is a book for everyone! 

#5. The Sun Is Also A Star by Niccola Yoon

If you’re looking for an easy read you can lose yourself in, this book is perfect for you. It takes place mainly over 24 hours, but will keep you hooked until the end. This story deals with fate, romance, and family. Author Niccola Yoon completely disregards the usual romantic novel norms, and takes many creative risks that definitely pay off. 

She makes a statement by purposely choosing ethnicities for our protagonists that we don’t usually see in a romantic novel: Korean and Jamaican. This choice alone adds to the book’s progressive nature. It also discusses serious and realistic events, such as being deported. Yoon expertly captures the emotions and tribulations that come with having to leave your home. This book is perfect fora quick read, as it will keep you interested and entertained.

#4. She Come By It Natural by Sarah Smarsh

If you don’t know who Dolly Parton is… what are you doing? Dolly is a female icon, and will forever be known as one of the leading ladies in music, specifically country. And sure, hundreds of books have been written about her, but Sarah Smarsh’s unique viewpoint sets hers apart. Instead of simply telling the tale of Parton’s interesting life, she instead focuses on the messages within her music.

Smarsh expertly details her own experience with poverty, and how she related to Parton’s music during that time. She details Parton’s messages of strength, feminism, and determination. Smarsh clearly describes the impact of Dolly’s music, and reminds readers of just how much of a trailblazer she really was. I mean, she’s had 25 #1 hits in her career (and she’s not done yet!). This tribute to Parton’s music is nothing short of inspiring.

#3. The 100 by Kass Morgan

Chances are you may have watched the TV show The 100, but have you read the books? Probably not. They follow the same basic plot as the show, but there are noticeable differences. For one thing, many of the beloved characters live much longer than on the show. Morgan masterfully tells the story of a dystopian Earth ruined by radiation, and the remaining human’s desperate attempt to survive. There’s action, romance, monsters, everything you could possibly want in a book. 

You will fall in love with the relatable characters, and won’t be able to guess what’s coming next. And the show is an added bonus! It’s extremely well made, and perfectly depicts the fight between morals and survival. The two do have somewhat different plots, though, so you’ll have to decide which you like better. And let me tell you, that is not an easy choice! 

#2. The Twin by Natasha Preston

Alright, I don’t think I need an introduction for this one. Natasha Preston! This time, we’re reading about twins Ivy and Iris. They’ve been separated for most of their lives, but a tragic event brings them back together. Now, it would be hard to have anyone randomly move into your house, much less your twin sister that you haven’t seen in years. So when Iris starts acting strangely, Ivy isn’t sure how to react. 

Author Natasha Preston nails it once again, telling a downright creepy story. The characters are fully developed, which leads to a thrilling conclusion. Preston’s vivid imagery makes it easy to picture what’s happening, and will keep you flipping pages! Although fair warning, the ending will leave you with more questions than answers. 

#1. Maybe Someday Trilogy by Colleen Hoover

If you’re looking for something other than a run-of-the-mill romance novel, then this series is definitely for you! While it does have most of the same elements of a romance novel, it also has a lot of extremely unique elements. Author Colleen Hoover tells a completely new kind of story. In the book, the main characters are songwriters, and one of them is deaf. I love the musical elements that are incorporated and the meaning behind the songs being written.

My favorite part of the book is the accurate depiction of a deaf character. Hoover authentically describes the struggles of communication and creates a very rare character in Ridge, who’s job relies on sound. As much as I love the main characters Sydney and Ridge, I love that one of the books in the series is from other character’s points of view. This is a truly original series, and one that I can’t recommend enough!