The winter break will be arriving soon, and as plans are being made, hobbies and tasks to keep us grounded are also vital amidst all the fun and chaos. With that being said, reading is definitely one of those things that some people overlook in their lives but which plays an important role in shaping our identity and belief systems. With that said, here are five books/series you can indulge in during this winter break.
Dune
Dune has officially become my favorite fiction series. Science fiction was never something I thought I would be interested in, but after I started reading it, I found out that Dune was so much more than simply a story with highs and lows – it was Frank Herbert’s way of telling the world his perceptions, concepts, and philosophies of life. For example (I don’t know if this will be counted as a spoiler, but I will tell you guys anyway), throughout the first novel, there were constant references to the philosophy that “all predictions and affairs of the future are based upon the patterns of affairs of the past.” This may seem cliché and somewhat cringe, but when the novel is being read and details of each character are being analyzed with depth, this concept of how the future is developed will become more and more vivid. That is also why Dune is number one on this list – it is both entertaining and educational. The entire series is quite lengthy (frankly, I have only finished half of the first novel), but as you read, you can clearly see that the author has put a lot of effort into shaping each character and the plot of the story. There are aspects of the world that at first we may not grasp comprehensively, but through the story, character motives, perspectives, and inner thoughts are all revealed (the book is written in third person omniscient). This series is definitely worthy to read and comprehend deeply during the holidays.
Educated
This book is quite a famous one and is a great one to read and taste thoroughly. The book is an autobiography of Tara Westover and is a journey of how education and affairs that happened throughout her life changed her perspectives and opinions on the world. There is one quote that perhaps summarizes her relationship with her family and how her experiences changed her: “You can love someone and still choose to say goodbye to them” as well as “You can miss someone every day and still be glad that they are not in your life.” These two quotes are both ones from the book and show us how complicated our relationships with others can be, but also how our perspectives and actions have to shift with the world around us. Valuable life lessons, relationships with family, and the exploration of the world around us are all topics and plots that are covered throughout. So, why not give it a go?
The Giver
The Giver is a book that is similar to Dune – it teaches us about society through a fictional setting. The main character, Jonas, is the “outsider” of his community, and he perceives things so much differently than the others around him. He faces difficulties throughout the novel on choices he has to make about his life and the burdens that arise along with the life that is set before him. As he experiences life and learns the lessons his community and thoughts teach him, he realizes that life is about how one values one’s own existence and how meaning is given to life and should not be manipulated by rules and the unjust norms of society. When Jonas was being taught and guided by his mentor (I will keep that a secret for now because I feel like I already have told you guys enough secrets about these books), his perceptions of the world open up, and he starts to embrace the indifference of his community towards life and still find a way to live life in the way he imagined. This book would definitely be very healing for people who feel lost in their lives and want to find a way to soothe themselves during hardships.
Little Women
Oh yes, the classic Little Women. Perhaps you have even watched the movie but have not read the book. The story revolves around the theme of gender roles and how the sisters overcome gender stereotypes in their time of living. Even though these gender stereotypes may not be as distinct and existent in modern society, this concept of the hierarchy of genders still exists, and learning that through a story can be so much more moving and empowering than simply reading a book on social justice. The drastic differences in the sisters’ personalities also show the vibrance and livelihood life should be – everyone is the way they are naturally and others are there only to guide and support them to be on the right path. The affairs of the story are based on the context of the American Civil War in the 1860s, so there is also some historical educational value to the book as well.
The Land of Stories
The Land of Stories is not as famous as the previous books, but it definitely doesn’t lack entertainment and fun. The story revolves around two siblings who magically fall into the Land of Stories and navigates their adventures there. Each story is connected with the other ones in some way, and it is interesting to see how these two teenagers grow throughout the time of their adventures and how the world of realism and supernatural forces contrast. Similar to Dune, this is a series and is perhaps one of those books that would distract you from working due to its captivating words and plots.
Images: Taobao, Pexels
