Spring Break Books

Spring Break is a fabulous time to read a good book, whether you are traveling or enjoying a nice staycation. Reading over Spring Break is a lot like summer reading – all genres are fair game, and there is no genre that should be ruled out because every reader is unique. Instead, the quality of the writing, the plot, and the overall enjoyment of the story are the important factors to consider. I polled Buzz residents who love to read about their recommendations for engaging Spring Break reads, and relished perusing the wide range of suggestions that these voracious readers made.

Emily Wolf, author of My Thirty-First Year (and Other Calamities): “If you are heading to Florence, Italy, Still Life by Sarah Winman will make the plane ride pass in a flash and give you an insider's appreciation for the region before you disembark. Through the eyes of its nuanced, endearing characters, Still Life gives readers a window into Florence's soul as it has evolved throughout the generations. The novel would be a triumph set anywhere, but Florence imbues Still Life with a unique magic and spiritual quality that sets it apart and above. I haven't been to Florence for 18 years, but Still Life has made me keen to return.”

Carla Buerkle: “I think The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray would be a great read if you are visiting New York City and the J. P. Morgan Library. To see the collection that the book chronicles along with the story of Belle da Costa Greene would be amazing. This ‘based on real life’ story is about the life of a young African American woman who passes for white and gets a job as the personal librarian for J.P. Morgan. She is brave and cunning and is responsible for curating his great collection of manuscripts, books, and art.

“And for anyone going to Europe, I think The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel would be enlightening. Since most European visitors visit multiple museums, it would be interesting to ponder how this person pulled off so many art heists at various museums with such ease.” 

Celeste Connally, author of the Lady Petra Inquires series: “If you’re going to Vermont or skiing, had a favorite boy band, and love a good romance then I recommend The Lodge by Kayla Olson. Eight years ago, one of the most famous boy bands had a highly publicized, yet mysterious, breakup. Now, ghostwriter Alix Morgan has her big break writing the memoir of one of the band members and is sent to a swanky Vermont lodge to work on her writing. While there, she learns to step outside of her self-imposed shell with the help of a handsome ski instructor – and with love might just come the unraveling of secrets from the band’s mysterious downfall. The setting is amazing, the main character is one you want to root for, and the banter is excellent.

“If you’re going to New York and love a Jane Austen retelling, then I recommend Emma of 83rd Street by Emily Harding and Audrey Bellezza. This has to be one of my favorite retellings of Jane Austen’s Emma – and if you’ve ever wanted more than just a kiss between Emma and Knightley, then this is your slightly spicy book. Set in modern-day New York, it follows Emma Woodhouse as an Upper East Sider hoping to get an art internship at the Met on her own merits and not her family name. In this close retelling, we meet all our favorite characters from Emma and walk alongside her as she makes mistakes, learns to grow up and stand on her own two feet, and finally recognizes her feelings for George Knightley. I loved how all our favorite moments from the book were updated to fit modern times, without losing what we all love of the original. The dialogue is sparkling and the longing and romance is really well done.

“I have an audiobook recommendation if you’re going to England and love Antiques Roadshow and Agatha Christie-esque mysteries. I suggest The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller. Once an up-and-coming antiques dealer, for the past 20 years, Freya Lockwood has stayed away from the business and the English village where she grew up, until her mentor, Arthur, dies under mysterious circumstances. He’s left his antiques shop to Freya and her eccentric Aunt Carole – and left them clues to his own murder as well. Determined to discover who killed her mentor, Freya and Aunt Carole follow Arthur’s clues and attend “antique enthusiasts” weekend, where they must unmask a killer before it’s too late. Note: This mystery has a good bit of world-building up front and starts a bit slow (though charmingly so), but the pace picks up satisfyingly around midway. The narration is excellent, too.”

Sally Mason: “If you are headed to Europe, I have two recommendations. I suggest The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel [as Carla Buerkle did above], which is nonfiction but reads like a novel. It is a fascinating true-crime account of Stéphane Breitwieser and his account of over 200 heists across Europe. It’s fascinating.

“All The Broken Places by John Boyne follows the life of 91-year-old Greta. For decades she has lived a quiet, comfortable life in London despite the fact she escaped Nazi Germany at age 12. She doesn’t talk about living with her mother and their grim life in post-war France nor her father’s job as a commandant with the Reich until she is forced to confront her fears to save a little boy.

“If you are traveling to New York City or Egypt, I propose reading The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis, a historical fiction novel which will transport you from ancient Egypt, and its secrets, to the inner workings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I learned a lot about art and an amazing female pharaoh.

“If you want to armchair travel, try reading The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. It is about a beekeeper and his artist wife who live a quiet, simple life with family and friends until the war in Syria destroys all they love. They must escape to Britain but to do so they must confront their own loss and pain as well as unforeseen dangers as they try to find their way back to each other and an unknown future. 

“If you are traveling in the South, try The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian, which is set in 1920s Mississippi. Two poor teenage girls are forced to become partners because of a murder. One is white and one is Black but they must come together to find what ‘family really is’. The isolation of the area keeps secrets hidden and the law of the land favors whatever white people say.”

UNPUTDOWNABLE Celia Anderson recommends taking Horse by Geraldine Brooks on a Spring Break adventure. She says the Pulitzer-Prize-winning author has released another hard-to-put-down historical fiction read.

Jen Fink: “My new book club recently read A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey. It’s set in Beaufort, NC and really captures what it was like to live in a historic seaside town both in the 1960/70s and present day. The book is a fun read with some twists and turns and really makes you think about finding your happy place. It would make a fun spring break book pick for those exploring quaint towns or seaside destinations!”

Celia Anderson: “If you are traveling to a dude ranch or planning a gallop on the beach, Geraldine Brooks’ latest book Horse is a must! The Pulitzer-Prize-winning author has written another hard-to-put-down historical fiction book. With three timelines and well-drawn characters, the book reads like a mystery with pre-Civil War horse-racing, world-class art lost and recovered, and behind-the-scenes antics in the Smithsonian Museum thrown in as well. Based on a real champion horse and the people who touched his life and legacy over the decades. A lovely read for animal lovers, art lovers, and great story lovers!”

Carol Goolsby: “If you are doing a staycation and want to be entertained with juicy gossip and fun stories, then I recommend Dropped Names: Famous Men and Women as I Knew Them by Frank Langella. This book is years old, but oh so fun! If you watched the show The Americans, he played a featured role in this show. He is a star of stage and screen (Dracula), and he has the most wonderful voice. I suggest listening to the audiobook for this one. Each chapter tells his encounters with famous people or movie stars. First chapter is Jackie and John F. Kennedy! Good spring break fun!”

Have a wonderful break and let me know which stellar reads you enjoyed.

Editor’s note: Book reviewer Cindy Burnett also writes our weekly Page Turners column. She hosts an award-winning book podcast entitled Thoughts from a Page Podcast www.thoughtsfromapage.com, runs the Instagram account @thoughtsfrompage, and regularly speaks to groups about books.