Whether you truly enjoy indulging ourselves into novels or would rather just appreciate the simple joys television can give us, I have some recommendations that will be sure to live up to your entertainment standards. The books I advise for you to read will be perfect for passing time whether it’s at school or during weekends filled with boredom!

• “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott

Alcott gives us a peace of mind while also letting us explore a coming-of-age novel about four sisters from New England and their sense of family. While the daughters’ father is away fighting the Civil War, these sisters face tasks and challenges that come along with growing up in the mid-1800s as young women. The names of the sisters are, Jo, Amy, Beth and Meg, the protagonist of the novel being Jo, who battles her personal demons while maintaining her feminist image. While on her endeavors she meets her neighbor Theodore Laurence, otherwise known as “Laurie.” During the novel Jo and Laurie create an unmatchable friendship that they must navigate through their own moral and personal struggles. The story gives each character a narrative that we begin to understand and crave for more. 

• “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Although this may seem like another novel just exemplifying the means behind friendship, this story gives us a take on a relationship which changes characters Aristotle and Dante both individually and together. Both first meet with the realization that they are quite different people; Aristotle is dealing with a brother who is in prison and shares rage towards the world, and Dante is a teen with all the answers and a unique way of viewing his surroundings. By getting closer with each other, they seem to form a special bond along with having self realization about their thoughts and sexuality. 

• “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho 

This novel tells the engaging story of Santiago, who is a Shepherd boy, living in the Spanish town of Tarifa. During his journey to find a somewhat secret treasure, he learns to find something even more meaningful, something that he would’ve never dreamed of finding. But during his endeavor, he meets a wise and old man, Melchizedek, who gives Santiago advice leading towards his own journey. During the process, Santiago even meets Fatima, a girl he begins to fall in love with, giving him even more intention to find the treasure for both of them. Coelho sends the message of following our own desires and what our heart tells us and the importance of following our omens. 

• “Sweet Tomorrows” by Debbie Maycomber 

An innkeeper, Jo Marie Rose begins to move forward once she is left abruptly by Mark Taylor after his confession to her. While she is on her journey of new companionship and new beginnings, another guest, Emily Gaffeny, begins staying at the inn. Although Emily has given up on marriage, she still aches to adopt kids someday, and stays at this inn while recovering from her several heartbreaks. Even though Jo and Emily have a rocky start meeting each other, once they begin truly talking and trusting each other, they form a beautiful friendship, and maintain the ability to help each other with their problems. This is a compelling story with much emotional baggage along with it, to show everyone how friendships and relationships are able to form. 

These novels are sure to get you through a boring weekend, or even those rare days where we watch the clock pass us by. Also, all of these books create a strong message which we can later look back on during those tough times. I hope you enjoy reading them!