Good reads for the fall season
By Alayna Press, ’17
Yes Please! by Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler is an award-winning comedian who was a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” and has been in movies like “Baby Mama” and “Blades of Glory”. In her book she gives witty advice and funny stories about growing up, including everything from her childhood home to her first apartment in New York. She talks about success in the entertainment industry, the struggles that come with being a woman surrounded by men, and how hard she has worked to break out of gender norms. The book is funny and heartwarming; Poehler is open and honest about her experiences as a young actress. She gives an in-depth look into the life of a career women and mother.
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson
If you are into science fiction, this book is definitely for you. This book mixes elements of space exploration, the end of Earth, and the human race’s capability to survive. When a catastrophe rocks the planet, the world’s leaders decide that the only way to avoid the destruction on Earth is to escape into outer space. Five thousand years later they return to the planet, which has changed drastically since their departure. There are now seven distinct races of human beings. The novel weaves science, philosophy, and technology together to create a thrilling story of survival. It’s modern, with an intelligent voice, and an interesting view on what it means to survive.
Get in Trouble by Kelly Link
If you don’t want to read a time consuming novel, then consider this one. Link’s book is a collection of stories about ordinary things with an out of the ordinary twist. Each story creates a new world with a little bit of supernatural woven in. Link creates an “American Horror Story”-esque feel in her book with weird twists and strange characters. It has a mysterious vibe, and it’s hard to predict what will happen next. There are stories with fairies, spaceships, dry cleaning, and vacation homes. Link’s book was Editor’s Choice for the New York Times Book Review, and it has been described as brilliant and entertaining. Link’s stories look at the world with a different filter, adding magic to everyday life.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
This book is a heart wrenching memoir that has recently been turned into a movie. It’s about a young woman who loses everything. Strayed writes about the death of her mother and the chaos that follows. When her life has completely fallen apart she decides to leave it all behind and start fresh with a dangerous trek in the wilderness. She hikes over a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail completely alone with no training or experience. She is met with many challenges, but she also meets great people. Throughout her journey she lets go of what she used to have and tries to figure out what she wants now. The book is thrilling and introspective with happy moments that showcase the author’s great sense of humor and lighten the mood.