Spring break is a time to relax, recuperate, and read. Whether you will be on a plane for hours with nothing to do, or laying on a beach basking in the sun, no trip is complete without a good book to read. Here are some reading suggestions from Mercy’s own Valedictorian and Salutatorian finalists.

Hannah Lunsford

Yes Please! by: Amy Poehler

“[Amy Poehler] is one of my favorite actresses, especially in [the show] ‘Parks and Recreation.’ She is hilarious and her book really reflects her comedic genius.”

Brianna Woodbeck

Looking for Alaska by: John Green

“It’s a very relatable book to young adults’ lives and is very interesting and overall a really good book. I’m not a huge reader, and this book was one that I couldn’t stop reading. I would recommend anyone to read it and I guarantee they would like it.”

Lilly Blake

The Help by: Kathryn Stockett

“I love this book because it is eye-opening and it gives unique insight into a really telling and influential time of our country.”

Lauryn Hauncher

Into Thin Air by: Jon Krakauer

“I love adventure books because I really love traveling and reading about other parts of the world, especially Mount Everest. And the Everest movie came out a couple months ago, which was based off the book.

Hannah Hembree

The Book Thief by: Markus Zusak

“[The Book Thief] is my favorite because of the way it is written – it is narrated by the character Death – and it offers an interesting perspective into World War II.”

Marie Camp

The Divergent Series by: Veronica Roth

“I absolutely love the Divergent series and I would suggest that everyone reads it. The movies cannot even compare to the novels.”

Maureen McGough

The Darkest Minds by: Alexandra Bracken

“[I love this book because] I love dystopian/sci-fi novels. It’s part of a trilogy. The storyline is exciting, action-packed, and it’s an overall fun read. I read it over spring break last year, and really enjoyed it. I’m hoping it becomes a movie soon!”

Colleen Hadley

The Uglies series by: Scott Westerfeld

“It’s a fascinating sci-fi novel. I love how it stretches and twists my mind by introducing the abstract, intriguing idea of a world where physical perfection is a requirement.”

Theresa Benton

A Thousand Splendid Suns by: Khaled Hosseini

“This is one of my favorite books because it really explores the complex relationships that form between women, especially in times of hardship. It emphasizes the difficulties that women around the world face every day and how they have to deal with them and continue to live their lives. It’s a beautifully written look into a culture so different from ours.”

Alana Sullivan

Vampires in the Lemon Grove: And other stories  by: Karen Russell

“I liked this collection because the short stories were different than any others I had read; they were funny, thought-provoking, bizarre, creepy, and everything in between. If you’re looking to branch out more in terms of the type of literature you read, these are great and quick to read.”

Bridgette Conniff

The Art of Racing in the Rain by: Garth Stein

“[This] is my favorite book because it is narrated by a dog. I think it’s very interesting to look at life, hypothetically, through a dog’s perspective. Plus, I really love dogs.”

Caitlin Delevie

GONE by: Michael Grant

“I have a lot of favorite books, but I like GONE because it has an interesting premise, unlike anything else I have read. Plus, it is a series, so if you like the first book there [are] more!”

Christina Schira

The Outsiders by: S.E. Hilton

“[This] is my favorite book because it is a short, yet compelling and unique novel. I also love the movie.”

Sabrina Yancey

The Harry Potter series by: J.K. Rowling

“I love all of the Harry Potter books because [the series] was such a huge part of my childhood and it always made me feel better if I was having a bad day. I’ve read the series four times and I would encourage anyone to read it.”

Audrey Jones

The Girl on the Train by: Paula Hawkins

“I read a lot so it is hard for me to pick a favorite. However, I really love The Girl on the Train because it is a psychological thriller and that is my favorite kind of book. Plus, they are making a movie out of it which is coming out soon!”

Natalie Cieslak

Maze Runner by: James Dashner

“I like [this book] because it is exciting and it is such a unique idea for a series.”

Lucy Devine – Salutatorian

To Kill A Mockingbird by: Harper Lee

“[To Kill A Mockingbird] is my favorite because it is a timeless piece of literature. It addresses the issue of prejudice which is still so prevalent in society. It shows how society judges based on looks and preconceived notions, and a few select people can see past this.”

Taylor Lombard – Valedictorian

To Kill a Mockingbird by: Harper Lee

“I love [To Kill A Mockingbird] because it analyzes unjust situations throughout the story and highlights admirable characters.”