Books to add to your post-exams TBR

We are in the middle of exam season once again. I know it doesn't feel like it, but in a couple of months we will all be free from deadlines and exam-related breakdowns! To save you the trouble, I have compiled a list of five books to check out once you actually have free time to read for fun again.

Image Credit: Laura Downie

 

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

The first novel of the Chaos Walking Trilogy, The Knife of Never Letting Go is a gripping and addictive read. It is over 500 pages and so easy to lose yourself in that I really do recommend reading this one after your exams are out of the way because once you start it, exam prep will not be the priority anymore. 

Ness's novel is a dystopia where everyone can hear each others' thoughts, called the 'Noise'. Honestly, I don't want to reveal too much of the plot because I think this is best read knowing nothing about it.

There is an upcoming film adaptation starring Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley, so now is the perfect time to read it before the film comes out! 

  

Eat Up: Food, Appetite and Eating What You Want By Ruby Tandoh

Released last year, Tandoh's non-fiction book is a love letter to food, from instant custard to homemade tomato soup. She writes about food in such a healing and sensual way, and it's informative, inclusive and thoroughly researched. In a time of 'wellness' and toxic diet culture, this book feels so necessary, vital and needed for those who love or want to love food.

There are recipes sprinkled throughout the book and since you will have more free time with exams out of the way, this summer will be a perfect time to try some of them out.

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The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys is a YA novel that follows a psychic's daughter, called Blue, as she meets a group of private school boys and is filled with magic and mystery. My absolute favourite part of this novel is the characters, as they all felt so real and believable. They each have their faults and strengths and loveable qualities. 

This is the first in a four-part series called The Raven Cycle and it is followed by The Dream Thieves, Blue Lily, Lily Blue, and The Raven King. Stiefvater recently tweeted that she thinks the series is at its best when it's read back to back, which is even more of an excuse to binge-read them all once exams are done!

 

Image Credit: Laura Downie

 

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

At well over 400 pages, this novel is perfect to save for after the exam season. A coming of age story, it follows Cam, a young lesbian, as she grows from her early to late teens. It is a slower paced novel than some of the others on this list but I actually liked the slower pace as I felt more attached to Cameron since we see her through the years and I loved seeing her grow up. A heartbreaking and stunning novel, it explores themes of grief and sexuality. 

A film adaptation was released in 2018 starring Chloë Grace Moretz, and you can watch it on Netflix as soon as you're done with the book.

 

Emma by Jane Austen

When asked what my favourite book is, Emma is my go-to answer. It is not given as much love as Pride and Prejudice which I think is an injustice, as it is even better. Emma Woodhouse is not considered to be a very likeable character, but I think her flaws make her such an interesting protagonist to read about. Although she is selfish and snobbish and naive, I do believe she has a heart of gold. 

I always like to try and read a classic every summer. I'm an English literature student, so it can be really nice to read a classic just for fun without having to analyse it. So if you haven't read Emma because you just haven't gotten round to it yet, I really recommend it and I fully intend to also read it (again) in the coming months.