Nawaal Nackerdien/Fourth Estate

News Editor Nawaal Nackerdien gives her recommended books to read during winter break

BY NAWAAL NACKERDIEN, NEWS EDITOR

Winter break is the perfect time to cozy up on the couch with blankets over your lap and the snow falling outside. I always feel a bit lost after exams are over. School takes up so much of my time that when it’s time for break, I suddenly have nothing to do. So I turn to books. Whether reading to pass the time or for pleasure, here are the books I recommend reading after finals! 

Best Short Novel: “The Empress of Salt and Fortune” by Nghi Vo

Coming in at 119 pages, the “Empress of Salt and Fortune” is a short novel steeped in fantasy story retelling. Cleric Chih is a story collector in this fantasy setting, with each novel in the series covering one such story. This first installment tells the story of a “young royal” sent away from her home in an arranged marriage. The story is told by the maid who served her and the relationship between them. Short, sweet and satisfying, this is a comfy read for the holidays.

Best Graphic Novel: “Are You Listening?” by Tillie Walden

Warning: This graphic novel touches on triggering topics such as sexual assault.

Tillie Walden is known for her graphic novel, “On A Sunbeam.” Having read both, I believe that “On A Sunbeam” is a phenomenal graphic novel that deserves all its praise. Despite this, I chose “Are You Listening?” for its warm color tones and more introspective plot points. A graphic novel set on the road, “Are You Listening?” travels through West Texas with two main characters who, while running from something, run into each other. Walden’s amazing artwork and storytelling whisk you away to a land of warm reds and oranges, as well as deep insecurity and trauma–a good novel to read next to the fire while it snows.

Best Manga Series: “The Ancient Magus’ Bride” by Kore Yamazaki

Warning: This manga touches on several triggering topics such as slavery, suicide and child abuse. 

Also known as “魔法使いの嫁 (Mahoutsukai no Yome),” “The Ancient Magus’ Bride” takes elements of European mythology to create a fantastic world steeped within our own. This manga series includes magical creatures unseen by the average person, familiars, mages who are more “other” than human, fairies, dragons and more. A personal favorite of mine since its anime adaptation in fall 2017. I find the original manga to be more well put together and to have better character interactions. This manga has been my guilty pleasure series since I discovered it and its approach to fantasy is very cozy while touching on heavy topics. 

Best Audiobook: “Legends and Lattes” by Travis Baldree

The main series that inspired this list! Written and voiced by Travis Baldree, “Legends and Lattes” is the perfect “chill” book. Focused on an orc starting her own coffee shop, “Legends and Lattes” does a phenomenal job of balancing the cozy with fantasy. Travis Baldree was foremost a narrator for several audiobook series including the “Cradle” series by Will Wight. Baldree manages to voice every character within the book distinctly and so well that the characters seem to be speaking to the reader. With both a wonderful story and a phenomenal narration, I recommend both “Legends and Lattes” and its prequel, “Bookshops and Bonedust.”

Best Fantasy Novel: “Unsouled” by Will Wight

There are a lot of fantasy books that could take this position. I feel that “Unsouled” is one that deserves it. I read the “Cradle” series way back at the beginning of this year and read up to the seventh novel within the span of two months. Fans of wuxia or cultivation xianxia, also known as martial arts fiction, and East Asian transmigration novels will enjoy the “Cradle” series. Surrounding an underdog story and a clear power-level system, “Unsouled” is the beginning of a long journey of one boy usurping his fate. Tightly packed with action at every corner and a full world with interesting characters, “Unsouled” and the “Cradle” series are books that everyone can enjoy. Extremely well-paced, “Unsouled” will soon lead into the second book and then the third. If you want a page-turning action that’s fairly light, this is the one for you!