Somehow, between schoolwork and yearbook deadlines, I’ve found the time to read. For many people, reading is an escape from the stress of the everyday world, and I couldn’t agree more. Here are some of the books I’ve read in the past few months and what I’m currently reading. 

Currently Reading: A Question of Holmes by Brittany Cavallaro

A Question of Holmes is the last book in a series that follows the adventures of the descendants of Sherlock Holmes and Watson. The two descendants, Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson meet at a Connecticut boarding school in the first book and become nearly inseparable. This series is criminally underrated and deserves more hype. The last book follows Charlotte and Jamie as they manage to navigate the real world together. I love their dynamic so much, and if you’re a fan of the dark academia aesthetic, then this series is for you.

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston                                                       Rating: 5/5 

Let me preface this by saying: I do not usually read romance books. Before I read this, the only “romance” books I had read were Pride and Prejudice and the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series. Now that being said, I absolutely loved this book. Red, White and Royal Blue asks the question: what if the First Son of the United States and the Prince of Wales fell in love? After an incident that garners media attention, First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince of Wales Henry Fox enter into a fake friendship in order to avoid any further negative press. Of course, this “friendship” turns into something more. This book had such a sweet love story and also delved into American politics. It’s a celebration of pride and I enjoyed reading it. 

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah                                                                                      Rating: 5/5

I also don’t tend to read nonfiction or memoirs very often. Before reading this, the only nonfiction books I had read were I Am Malala, and We Are Displaced, both by Malala Yousafzai. I had seen Trevor Noah’s comedy specials before, and I had heard great things about his book, so I checked it out from our library. I was not disappointed. This book is absolutely stunning! Noah manages to make you laugh and cry at the same time, all while making incredible points about racism and educating readers about apartheid. The way he writes about his mother is so heartfelt, and she only becomes more amazing as the book goes on. I highly recommend this if you want to be blown away by a book. 

The Book of Essie by Meghan Maclean Weir                                                             Rating: 4/5

This book had been sitting on my shelf for a while, and I finally decided to pick it up. The Book of Essie is about 16-year-old Esther “Essie” Hicks, who suddenly finds herself pregnant. The issue? Her family is the focus of a reality show called Six for Hicks, which focuses on their lives and conservative faith. In order to cover up Essie’s pregnancy and preserve the family’s reputation, Essie begins a fake engagement with Roarke Richards, a senior at her school. But, Essie is trying to find out why her older sister left, and she ends up discovering more than she intended to. I felt for the characters, especially Essie, because she’s been forced into so many tough situations at a young age. I do recommend looking up the trigger warnings for this book, however. 

The Grishaverse Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo                                                    Series Rating: 4/5

I managed to read this entire series in just over a month – an accomplishment I’m very proud of. I wanted to read this series in anticipation of the television adaptation that is coming to Netflix in April (watch the trailer here!) This series was filled with adventure, danger, and loveable characters. The books follow Alina Starkov, a soldier who after a freak accident learns she may be the key to saving her war-torn country. The entire “Grishaverse” world that Leigh Bardugo has created is so intricate and well-developed that I can’t get enough of it!

Junior Olivia Post is a co-editor for the 2020-2021 Colonel. She is a member of the music program and the track team. In her free time, Olivia can be found reading or obsessively aligning photos on yearbook spreads.