It’s October. There’s a chill in the air, pumpkin spice is back and midterms are just around the corner. In times like these, it’s tempting to turn to the familiar ritual of staring at your notes before whipping out your phone for a quick scroll. Inevitably, the small break turns into hours lost to the algorithm.
While apps like TikTok and Instagram can provide a dash of much-needed escapism during exam season, they rarely leave you feeling better. Instead, reading offers a quick break from studying without the inescapable vortex of scrolling. If you’re going to procrastinate, you might as well do something productive.
Here are five books to pull you away from your phone and give your brain a break.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
If you’re missing the drama and chaos that comes with your feed, you’ll love this book. A true cornerstone of dark academic literature, Tartt’s 1992 inverted detective novel is an ideal read for all the moody fall vibes.
Following a group of eccentric classics students at an elite Vermont university, the book examines their lives unraveling after a murder. Intriguing and unsettling, The Secret History is the perfect dose of mystery and suspense to get you through that chem exam.
Eve’s Hollywood by Eve Babitz
For anyone craving an escape from overcast skies and dull classroom interiors, consider a trip to the glitz and mystique of 1960s Los Angeles via Eve’s Hollywood. Babitz’ memoir captures a city carefree and alive through vivid, evocative prose.
From sandy days at the beach to the halls of Hollywood High, Babitz offers a world that’s part nostalgia and part sun-soaked reverie — the perfect getaway.
[Zara Larsson is fun, but dated on ‘Midnight Sun’]
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Ditch campus chaos for rugged trails and lush forests in A Walk in the Woods, Bryson’s narrative of life along the Appalachian Trail. It’s procrastination you won’t regret — the kind that comes with immersive storytelling instead of the repetitive lull of your TikTok for you page.
Bryson expertly captures the misadventures of hiking with wit, humor and contemplation, turning the trail itself into a story. Forget study guides and screens; this book offers views they never could.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Adams takes readers on a whimsical voyage through distant planets, blending absurdity with entertainment and some oddly wise takes on the madness of existence in this iconic novel.
This book offers a world entirely unpredictable and endlessly enjoyable, the intergalactic shenanigans serving as the ultimate escape from day-to-day life. It’s a wild ride that only requires a sense of humor, a drive for adventure and, of course, a towel.
[UMD’s Fashion Business Association brings professionals to the runway]
Emma by Jane Austen
If your idea of fall romance exists in daydreams or nostalgic movies, Austen’s classic tale of the regency matchmaking is sure to satisfy the craving for fall feels.
The story is equal parts comedy and personal insight, jam-packed with clever schemes, social faux pas and heartwarming resolutions. It perfectly captures the hopeless yearning feeling of fall. With flirtation, mischief and wisdom, Emma is the perfect book to read as the temperatures dip. If you’ve ever been a fan of Clueless, you’ll love its source material.
