Review & Commentary by ClareEckert 

Are you wondering what Marian girls read this summer? I know I sure am. And Marian’s English teachers probably are too… 

When asked what type of books students read this summer, almost all girls responded with “romance novel.” Love must be in the air at Marian. Now let us take a deeper dive into the reason behind Marian girls’ love of love.

Freshman Ella Turner read “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid this summer. She likes romance novels because they are fast paced and entertaining to read. And who does not want a fast paced read in the summer; I mean, it already goes by so fast! 

Sophomore Leyla Zier read “Beach Read” by Emily Henry, “Archer’s Voice” by Mia Sheridan, and “The Selection” by Kiera Cass. She enjoys romance novels because they have a “summer feel” and are fun to read. Zier also enjoys romance novels because they are engaging and easy to get lost in. 

Junior Anna Cacioppo read “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab, “The Rest of the Story” by Sarah Dessen, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han, and “Love & Gelato” by Jenna Evans Welch. She enjoys reading romance novels in the summer because romance novels are usually not super hard reads, especially good for the summer when you need a “brain break.” Cacioppo said that reading something light and carefree offers a break from reality. She also enjoys reading things that match the vibe of summer: books that take place near beaches or small towns. If you need any book recommendations, definitely ask Cacioppo.

Senior Olivia Camerer read the “Boys of Tommen” series by Chloe Walsh and a fantasy romance series called “Powerless” by Lauren Roberts. She enjoys romance novels because they are quick and captivating reads. Camerer also likes romance novels because a lot of her friends read them, so it is fun to be able to discuss books with them. After all, books are best shared with friends. 

And speaking of romance, every romance lover knows the blockbuster movie “It Ends with Us” came to theaters on Aug. 9. However, only true book lovers know the movie is based on the New York Times best selling book “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover. 

Junior Sophia Shillcutt watched the “It Ends with Us” movie and read the book. She enjoyed the movie, but said she enjoyed the book more. Shillcutt said she felt this way because the book offered more extensive details about the plot. She also enjoys reading romance novels in her spare time, especially in the summer. And Shillcutt says that the “It Ends with Us” book is the perfect summer read. She says she recommends any Colleen Hoover book to someone looking for a light summer read. 

Senior Jane Peterson also both watched the “It Ends with Us” movie and read the book. She says she absolutely loved the book, but did not like the movie quite as much. Peterson liked the book better because it was more in depth. She thinks the movie left out a lot of important details included in the book— a common movie mistake. 

I personally watched the movie and read the book, and can attest to the fact that the movie was a smashing success. And as a devoted reader, I hate to say it, but I liked the movie better than the book. Though the book was amazing, there are just some details that are better displayed with a stunning soundtrack and phenomenal cast. The raw emotion of the plot was captured so well with the cinematography of the film. Seeing the plot take shape on a screen was so powerful. Overall, 10/10 rating for this film. 

So if you ever need any book suggestions, you have come to the right place— Marian is full of reading enthusiasts. And remember, do not just read for school, read for fun. Reading is fun! Time to “hit the books,” ladies!