Books That Are Anything But School-Related

Whether you asked for it or not I’m giving you a rundown of my four favorite books I have read this summer. 

The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner

A story of a young mother serving consecutive life sentences in Stanville prison, a depressing barren land somewhere in California. The book’s name comes from the strip club where Romy worked and met her stalker whose presence in her life eventually leads to her time in prison. 

Earlier this summer I watched Jailbirds on Netflix, a documentary series on life for incarcerated females (with a few males featured) at Sacramento County Jail. Like many people, I love a good movie/podcast/tv show/book about murder or prison or anything of the sort. I’ve also been listening to the podcast My Favorite Murder, to further demonstrate my affinity for true crime. 

But I digress -- this book satisfied my interest in prison life and the life of convicted women. This book is not based on true events, but it is based on real prison life. Romy gives the reader a lens to look into the world of prison while going back and forth between her two lives, her life before prison, and her life in prison.

This book is for the crime lover, the person who has always wanted to tour an active prison (that’s just me? Ok never mind), and the person who wants to see the good in people despite their mistakes. 

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

A story of a young mother/artist, Mia Warren, and her daughter Pearl who find themselves in the “perfect” world of Shaker Heights, Ohio. The mother daughter duo find themselves intertwined in the lives of owners of their apartment, the Richardson’s, as Pearl becomes enamored with the stable, affluent life of the family.

A story of secrets, a mother’s love, and the idea that following the rules is not always right.

This book is for the person who loves a small-town drama, the mystery lover, and the person who appreciates the complex portraits of two very different families. 

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn 

A story of a struggling, young reporter, Camille Preaker, whose boss sends her back to her small hometown to cover the town’s recent crimes. One girl went missing and turned up dead in a river outside of town. A second girl has now gone missing. 

The first novel of famous Gone Girl author, Gillian Flynn, captures the psychological complexities of her main character, Camille, and her other characters. Flynn writes matter-of-factly, keeping you on the edge of your seat. I flew through this book, hooked by Camille’s destructive tendencies, her mother’s obsessiveness, the dark past they share, and the mystery that is Camille’s teenage half-sister who has a dark streak of her own.

This book is for the person who loves mysteries and thrillers, the person intrigued by psychological disorders, and of course anyone who loves a good book about murder.  

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

A story about an odd woman who is completely fine. Eleanor is a misfit. She doesn’t understand the social norms and emotions of her coworkers and she tells it exactly how it is. She’s got her life down to a T, perfectly planned. She lives in an adequate apartment. She has an adequate desk job, and she has adequate funds to buy herself the vodka that keeps her “completely fine.” Eleanor has a strange past, something about a dangerous mother and foster care… but other than that she’s completely fine. Who would want human companionship anyway? 

I laughed at this title and how accurate it is. The classic “What’s wrong?” “Oh, nothing I’m fine.” Gives you an idea of how Eleanor lives, but she’s not being passive aggressive, she actually does think everything is fine.

This book is for people who love a misfit, appreciate train-of-thought, first person narration, and love a book about someone who is totally not fine.

In conclusion, I have noticed that my favorite books this summer have all consisted of mystery, some murder, and all kinds of darkness, but I promise they won’t make you depressed they’re all wonderfully written—and some do have happy endings I promise…

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Honorary mention to my current book, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, a story of a young boy’s life after the sudden death of his mother and the acquisition of a small, striking painting called The Goldfinch. An amazing book for anyone who loves art, brilliant characters, and New York City. 

Another honorary mention to my favorite Instagram, the source of the only emails I read, and the recommender of at least two of these books: Belletrist. Follow them for monthly book recommendations, beautiful pink emails with the author of the book of the month’s favorites and beautiful quotes. 

By Arden Schraff

Duke Student, mental health activist and resident goddess making Insta casual.