As September approaches its end, the semester is in full swing. With midterms around the corner, it is peak procrastination time at Rice University. Rather than encouraging you to do your work, The Wild Grain wants to help you procrastinate in the best way: with a fresh book. Here are the best books to procrastinate with, from the editors!
The Idiot – Elif Batuman
Calling The Idiot an easy read feels misleading. While it is a book you can breeze through, it is also a book you might have to put down as you watch the protagonist, Harvard Freshman Selin, make bad decision after bad decision. Nevertheless, it’s a gripping read that will make you want to close your laptop and never open it again.
On Beauty – Zadie Smith
Fun, smart, and full of relatable moments, On Beauty is the perfect book to dive into when you need a break from homework but still want something interesting to read! This story centers around two families—one British, one American— and their different yet increasingly intertwined lives relating to art, politics, and love. Follow the quirky Belsey family as they deal with college drama, family tension, and big questions about life and identity!
Maud Martha – Gwendolyn Brooks
Written in 34 vignettes, Maud Martha’s form allows you to jump in and out of the book however you please — or however your assignments require. While taking the reader through the life of a girl coming of age in 1940s Black Chicago, Brooks focuses on maximizing the beauty of each story.
Kitchen – Banana Yoshimoto
While Kitchen is a quick read, coming in at just around 100 pages, it is definitely not light. In just a few pages, Yoshitomo grips with bereavement, loss, sorrow, and hope in an enthralling read that might not make you feel better but will give you something to think about for weeks after.
The Midnight Library – Matt Haig
Looking for a quick read in between study breaks? With its short chapters, The Midnight Library provides the perfect break to get lost in a feel-good story! Cheer on Nora as she gets the chance to explore all the different lives she could’ve lived, and the lessons she learns from them, through a magical library.