SLAC’s Favorite Book Recommendations

Happy New Year! I hope that you had a great holiday season and was able to spend time with family and friends. I definitely enjoyed my winter break and was glad to be back home. I know for me, one of the hardest parts of break is when it ends. I always have such a hard time getting back into the swing of things and trying to ease myself back into the school and work mindset. 

However, what I find helps me is when I have something to look forward to at the end of my day; something to bridge the gap between working and relaxing. I always love to have a great new book to read, letting me curl up in my bed at the end of a long day. 

To get Susquehanna students back on track, our Student Library Advisory Committee (SLAC) has put together a list of some of their favorite books! 

Fantasy & Myth-Inspired Fiction 

The Cruel Prince

by Holly Black 

Our first book is a popular one. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black tells the story of Jude, a mortal girl raised in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. She wants nothing more than to belong there, but many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. As she tries to find her place at the Court, Jude finds herself in a political war and entangled with her enemy: Prince Cardan. This is a popular book that I have somehow yet to read but might have to this winter! 

Nettle & Bone

by T. Kingfisher  

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher is a dark, whimsical fairy-tale story, but with a twist, because in this story, the princess doesn’t marry the prince; it’s one where she kills him. As Marra, a shy, convent-raised girl, watches her sister get married to an evil royal husband, she hopes that a hero will come to save them. When no hero comes, Marra realizes that she needs to become the hero her family and kingdom is waiting for. To save her sister, Marra must complete three impossible tasks, and set out on a fantastical adventure as she discovers her own strength in a dangerous world. 

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love

by Lex Croucher 

As a BBC Merlin fan, this next book might just be my next read. Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher is a queer romance novel that follows Arthur, a descendant of King Arthur and future Lord. When he and his betrothed, Gwendoline, the quick-witted princess of England, spend the summer together in Camelot, the only thing they can agree on is that they hate each other. However, when Gwen catches Arthur kissing a boy, and Arthur reads Gwen’s childhood diary and finds a confession about her crush on the kingdom’s only lady knight, they realize that they make better allies than enemies. Reluctantly, they make a pact to cover for one another, and as things heat up at the annual royal tournament, Gwen is swept off her feet by her knight, and Arthur takes an interest in Gwen’s royal brother. This book sounds like a delightfully fun read, and I can’t wait to pick it up! 

The Princess Knight

by Cait Jacobs

SLAC’s last fantasy recommendation is The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs. Princess Clíá and Prince Domhnall have long been considered the ideal match, and the perfect alliance for their neighboring kingdoms. But when Domhnall refuses to propose, their alliance, and Clíá’s heart, shatters. Determined to win him back, Clíá follows Domhnall to a prestigious military academy. There, she meets Ronan, a disciplined warrior who absolutely does not have time for a princess who suddenly appears in his combat arena. But as Clíá pushes herself harder to prove herself, Ronan begins to see her courage. Caught between old loyalties and new feelings, Clíá must decide what, and who, is truly worth fighting for. 

Divine Rivals

by Rebecca Ross 

In a world where ancient gods are at war, eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together in Divine Rivals by Rebecaa Ross. With Iris’ mother suffering from addiction and her brother missing from the front lines, her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette. To combat her worries, Iris begins to write letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival on the paper. As the two writers begin to send anonymous letters to each other, their connection deepens; a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle. 

Contemporary Fiction & Romance 

Until the Last Page

by Chantal Gadoury 

If you were hoping for more fairy tale inspired stories, Until the Last Page is a combination of fairy-tale troupes and real-world emotions When twenty-five-year-old Josephine Hart literally crash lands into a book of fairy tales, her world gets turned upside down. After meeting Aneurin, an annoying, snarky frog who is actually a prince, Jo agrees to help him find his princess to give him the kiss of true love to break his curse. In return, Aneurin promises to help Jo find her way home. This magical adventure is written by our very own Assistant Director of Campus Visits Chantal Gadoury, and has to be your next read. 

Beach Read

by Emily Henry 

Emily Henry brings us another beautiful romance book with Beach Read. Aside from living in neighboring beach houses and being stumped with writer’s block, January Andrews and Augustus Evertt are polar opposites. While January writes bestselling romance novels all with their own happily ever after’s, acclaimed author of literary fiction August kills off his entire cast. One night during their three-month beach stay, January and Augustus make a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American novel. As they go on rom-com montage worthy field trips and listen to interesting interviews for literary inspiration, they work to finish their book and will defiantly not fall in love. Definitely not. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures

by Shelby Van Pelt 

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Can Pelt tells the unique story of an elderly woman forming an unusual and unique friendship with a brilliant giant Pacific octopus. After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, keeping busy to help her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son Erik mysteriously vanished years ago. Trova becomes acquainted with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living in the aquarium, and begins to unravel the mystery sounding her son’s disappearance. This novel is a warm, emotional story about grief, healing, and unexpected connections. 

Anxious People

by Frederick Backman 

This next book is a known favorite for SLAC’s treasurer. Anxious People by Fredrick Backman tells the story of an apartment viewing gone very, very wrong. When a failed bank robber flees the scene of a botched robbery and stumbles into an open house for an apartment about to be sold, he panics and takes everyone hostage. But the hostages are not the easiest group to manage. Each of them carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, and passions that are ready to boil over. None of them is entirely who they appear to be, and as authorities and the media surround the premises, these reluctant allies will reveal surprising truths about themselves. 

Before the Coffee Gets Cold

by Toshikazu Kawaguchi 

The first in a series, Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi explores time travel in a small café in Tokyo. Over the course of one summer, four customers visit the café in the hopes of making a journey through time. But time travel isn’t so simple, and there are rules that must be followed. Most importantly, the trip can last only as long as it takes for the coffee to get cold. 

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

by Jeanette Winterson 

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age novel by Janette Winterson. The story follows the narrator, Jeanette, who is a young girl being raised in a strict religious household. As Jeanette discovers her attraction to woman, she wrestles with identify, faith, and her autonomy. 

Dystopian & Science Fiction 

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins 

If you have read some of my other articles, you know that The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is one of my favorite book series. This dystopian novel is about the nation of Panem. Sitting on the ruins of the United States, Panem has a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. To keep the districts in line, The Capitol forces them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in a televised fight to the death; the annual Hunger Games. Sixteen-year-old Katniss takes her sister’s place in the 74th Games and now must find a way to survive in the arena built to kill her. Survival is her second nature, but to win, she will have to start to make choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. If you haven’t read this series yet, this is your time. If you have, I still recommend a reread, especially as the film adaptation of Sunrise on the Reaping, Collin’s second Hunger Games prequel novel, grows closer! 

The Girl With All the Gifts

by Mike Carey 

In The Girl With All the Gifts, author Mike Carey introduces readers to Melanie, a brilliant ten-year-old girl who lives in a highly controlled military facility. As Melanie dreams of a world beyond the concrete walls, she is unaware of the truth behind the fear people have of her. Like all the other children hidden at the base, she is infected with a unique fungal disease that has turned most of humanity into “hungries” – mindless, fast-moving creatures driven by the fungus that has taken over their bodies. But unlike the hungries, Melanie can think, learn, and feel. She is a scientific miracle…or a threat. When the base gets attacked by the hungries, Melanie esscapes with a small group of survivors, and together, they embark on a dangerous journey that leads Melanie to learn more about what she is, or what she might become. This novel is the perfect science fiction read, and confronts questions about identity, humanity, and what the future world should be.  

Nonfiction 

Living a Feminist Life

by Sarah Ahmed 

If you are looking for some nonfiction to get you back into the school/work mindset, Living a Feminist Life by Sarah Ahmed is a fantastic pick. In this book, Ahmed shows how feminist theory is generated from everyday life and the ordinary experiences of being a feminist at home and at work. She blends personal stories, theory, and cultural critiques to examine what it means to live feminism every day. 

107 Days

by Kamala Harris 

107 Days is former Vice President Kamala Harris’ memoir about her whirlwind 2024 presidential campaign. In this book, Harris details the intense pressures, strategic challenges, and personal moments throughout her public service career and campaign. The book follows a day-by-day progression throughout the 107 days of Harris’ campaign, and reveals the truth of politics, commenting on the resilience and emotional labor of public leadership. This book looks at politics under a personal microscope and is a great read for anyone interested in politics and the inner workings of our country’s government. 

Feminism & Science

by Nancy Tuana 

SLAC’s last recommendation is Feminism & Science by Nancy Tuana. This book is an influential academic exploration of how scientific knowledge is shaped by more than just data and experiments; it is also shaped by the cultural values, social structures, and biases of the people who produce it. Tuana examines how gender has historically influenced who gets to participate in scientific research, and how that influences the questions asked and how they are answered.  

I hope you found that at least one of these books had the potential to be your next read. I know I did, and I commend SLAC for choosing such great titles. If one of these books did pique your interest, make sure to stop by the library to check it out. 

Madeline Davis (’28) is a sophomore at Susquehanna University.  She is a Marketing and Advertising & Public Relations dual major. In addition to her marketing work at the Blough-Weis Library,  Madeline serves as the Public Relations manager for Susquehanna’s Best Buddies chapter and as an editor for Ginkgo Magazine. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, writing, and antiquing with friends.