Spring has sprung, the sun is out, and soon cherry blossoms will decorate the campus with pink petals! As the world awakens from its winter slumber, what better way to embrace its spirit than through the pages of a breathtaking book? Herald has compiled a list of the best book recommendations to satisfy all your reading needs, even for the most discerning connoisseurs. Studies may be overwhelming, but these book recommendations are a great way to unwind and relax. So, grab a cozy blanket, pour yourself a cup of tea, and prepare to be captivated by books that will make this spring unforgettable!
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Craving a good old romance, but tired of hackneyed plots and lack of substance? We’ve got you covered!
Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel Rebecca is a perfect harmony of tender romance and mystic horror. The story begins with the protagonist, an unnamed young woman, marrying a recent widower, Maxim de Winter. Love arises between them, and everything seems perfect until Maxim takes the heroine to live in his ancient English mansion. In the eerie manor, the female protagonist is haunted by the memory of her husband’s first wife, Rebecca, who died under mysterious circumstances. Even a year after Rebecca’s death, the walls of the house are saturated with her ghostly presence and servants are loyally waiting for her return. The heroine uncovers secrets about her seemingly flawless spouse and his deceased ex-wife, which escalates to a shocking plot twist that will keep readers gripped with anticipation until the very end. With compelling flow, masterful suspense, and complex characters, Rebecca will leave you wishing that you can read the novel for the first time once more!
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
“Between life and death, there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?”
This decision confronts Nora Seed, a 35-year-old woman who, after finding herself overwhelmed with regrets and failures, decides to kill herself. But now, she has the chance to relive her life and choose the right path. Nora can fulfill her dream of becoming a glaciologist, she can say “yes” to her ex and live happily with him in a small town, be a mother, a wife, a swimmer, a rock star, or an Olympic champion. Nora can live a thousand lives, in which she will work harder, love better, and live brighter — but will the protagonist eventually be happier in any of these lives? With dazzling prose and a deep message, Haig masterfully explores themes of regrets, purposes in life, and the importance of living in the present. The Midnight Library will offer you a chance to dive into numerous lives with endless outcomes and ponder the things that truly matter.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Ready for an emotional journey that will bring tears of joy and sadness to your eyes? A lyrical memoir perfectly seasoned with a spoonful of Korean spiciness from the indie rock star, Michelle Zauner, is waiting for you!
The story unfolds around the singer’s reflection on losing her mother, the complicated relationship they shared, and the inextricable way it sparked her to embrace her own sense of identity as a Korean-American. Set against the backdrop of her mother's battle with terminal cancer, Zauner began to rediscover the role of the lessons and heritage left to her by her mother. Surprisingly, the author finds comfort in traditional Korean food that reminds her of her mother, their frequent trips to Seoul, and the priceless bond they developed over a joint meal. Instant noodles in H Mart and galbi ssam are no longer just food — they are evidence that Zauner’s Korean side is still alive. Grief, love, and the humor of kimchi suffuse this beautiful story of mother-daughter love and self-discovery. Inevitably heart-wrenching, Crying in H Mart is an awe-inspiring book that stresses the appreciation of the most important things in our lives.
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Nothing welcomes spring more than the chirping of birds, the buzzing of insects, and the blooming of nature! But can you imagine if spring suddenly becomes ominously silent, without any sounds of natural life? No, it is not another unrealistic plot of a fiction book, but a scientifically-proven natural phenomenon.
For readers who prefer to read science books, we recommend dwelling on Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking work, Silent Spring. Despite seeing the light more than 60 years ago, this book left a mark in the history of the environmental movement and continues to resonate with readers today. Carson, an acclaimed biologist, has spent most of her life and career learning about human impact on ecosystems. In the 1950s, she became concerned with the harmful effects of synthetic pesticides, especially dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), on wildlife. The scientist published her analysis in the book Silent Spring, combining a poetic narrative with cutting-edge research to prove the adverse effects pesticides have on the whole ecosystem. The publication led to a nationwide ban on DDT, pioneered revolutionary laws affecting air, land, and water, and saved the towns from the fate of having “silent springs”. A book that will not only leave you with a wealth of knowledge about the environment but will also inspire you to save the Earth, Silent Spring is truly a must-read!