READ THE LATEST

It’s easy to fall out of the habit of reading for pleasure when you’re a student because of all your other commitments, not to mention the masses of required reading. However, there’s no better activity than reading when you’re stuck inside during the winter. Some quick reads, in particular, will help you regain your love of reading.

1. Dark Places

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (author of Gone Girl) is a murder mystery unlike any you’ve read before. The protagonist is seeking to discover the truth about a massacre for which her brother was convicted. The events are not told chronologically but jump between past and present and are recounted by three of the characters. The new information you receive on every page will keep you questioning what really happened until the end.

2. Sharp Objects

If you want more Gillian Flynn after you finish Dark Places, continue with Sharp Objects. It’s another murder mystery in a small town, but this time the protagonist is a reporter who needs to return to her hometown to investigate a murder and a disappearance. At the same time, she’s confronted with darkness in her own life. You’ll likely come up with many of your own theories as the book progresses — and you certainly won’t want to put the book down until you’ve figured out the mystery.

3. Fight Club

There’s a good chance you’ve already seen the movie Fight Club (if you haven’t, watching it after you’ve finished the book is a top activity for while you’re still stuck indoors). Chuck Palahniuk has authored a large number of books, but this is his most famous. If you don’t know much about the story already, it’s worth not finding out anything before you read the book to gain the most enjoyment possible.

4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Another book adapted into a movie is The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Although you’ve left high school behind now, you’ll find this to be an entertaining read. It’s great for remembering what it was like being an awkward teenager — and you’re especially likely to relate to the story if you’re an introvert yourself.

5. One of Us Is Lying

For more high school, pick up One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus. All the characters are the classic high school stereotypes — brain, beauty, criminal, athlete, and outcast — and they’re all in detention together. However, the outcast never makes it out of detention: he’s murdered. All four of the other students are suspects, as they all have a reason to want him dead. The story is told through their perspectives, which reveals that they’re much deeper characters than they first appear.

Another reason you may be reading less than you’d like is because you constantly face distractions, which can make it difficult to stay focused on a book for long. This is often the case when you live in student residence. The solution is to move into off-campus housing. Foundry First is offering student accommodation in London, Ontario, for students at Fanshawe College. You’ll have your own fully-furnished bedroom in a suite with three to five other students — we’ll match you with people who have a similar lifestyle to you. Apply now to secure your spot while there are still spaces available.