Classes are officially in full swing, which means practically peeling your eyelids open every night to get through the pages of a dense textbook. If you feel like you are reading an entire page and going back to read it again because you absorbed none of it, you may need to refresh your eyes with some lighter material.
“Dad Is Fat” by Jim Gaffigan, otherwise known as the Hot Pocket comedian, is quickly making its way to the front display in bookstores everywhere. From the first page of this novel to the very end, you will be laughing out loud at his sarcastic explanation of daily life with his wife and kids. Gaffigan tells hilarious stories about Disney World, the horrors of McDonalds, staying at hotels, and negotiating with children as if they are terrorists. If you are familiar with Gaffigan’s “Mr. Universe” stand-up, then you will love this book. Even if you have never heard of Jim Gaffigan, you will still love this book.
Although Gaffigan is making fun of his children and sometimes even his wife, he makes it clear that without them he would not be the man he is and that he probably would just be hanging around his house all day in his underwear. This is a top-notch novel and a simple read if you are in need of a relaxing, enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
If you are interested in finding a less mainstream but very alluring story, then “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern should be at the top of your reading list. Although published in 2011, this novel has recently been gaining recognition for taking readers into a world of enticing magic and is truly a rare gem. “The Night Circus” tells the story of two magicians who are destined to battle against each other from a young age, but they do not know that they are opponents or that the night circus is their venue for dueling. Their magic keeps the enthralling world they have created and everyone interacting in it alive.
This novel uses captivating descriptions and builds the characters up to moments where the reader feels right in the middle of the drama that occurs at the circus. If you are a fan of the Harry Potter series but are looking for an adult twist on the world of magic, then this book is for you. Follow Celia and Marco through their magical training, their first encounters, and the love that grows between them.
The best aspect of this novel is how Morgenstern pays attention and gives careful detail to all of her characters, not just the two magicians. This story is one that is well crafted and cleverly designed to portray the lives of multiple characters who all interact within the venue. “The Night Circus” is a chilling read, perfect for the month of October.
Coming out Oct. 22 is “Allegiant,” the third novel of the “Divergent” series by Veronica Roth. With a similar premise to “The Hunger Games,” the trilogy is one that wraps you up in a world that is divided into factions of opposing interests and skills. The series consists so far of “Divergent” and “Insurgent.” Readers will be engrossed in the faction each character has entered and how their choice is going to affect not only their lives but also the lives of their family and friends. If you have not read any of the series yet, now is the time to start because the first movie is set to premiere in March 2014.
Keep your eyes peeled for copies of “Dad is Fat,” “The Night Circus” and “Allegiant” this month. There’s no better feeling than enjoying what you read, so grab a copy of these popular stories to occupy some of your free time between classes or
at night.