Mrs. Obama, it’s been an honor. We’re officially packing up and going home. Though we still have classes, I know most students are going to have a lot of extra free time on their hands now that club responsibilities are over. So, here are some recommendations—of all different media—about how to fill that free time.
1. Check, Please!
Despite my deep apathy toward sports, “Check, Please!” by Ngozi Ukazu has managed to capture my heart. Eric Bittle—lover of hockey, baking and Beyonce—starts the series as a scared freshman at Samwell University. This series follows him as he navigates the challenges of joining a hockey team, fitting in and dealing with sensitive family issues. Along his journey, you not only see his character development, but his teammates’ as well. It’s mostly light and wholesome, and every single character has some sort of growth arc. This entire comic can be read for FREE online. The story ends in April, so be sure to catch up now!
2. That ‘70s Show
I never thought I’d be able to binge over eight hours of content in one day, but “That 70s Show” proved me wrong. I started the first season over winter break and so quickly became enraptured with this lighthearted show. The show is not perfect by any means—it certainly lacks representation and some of their jokes are very outdated—but overall the show makes for a great time. It’s one of the few shows to ever make me laugh so hard that I cry. The show follows six high schoolers as they try to figure out life’s important questions: who to date, what to do about college and how much weed is too much weed.
3. Leigh Bardugo Novels
Though fantasy is far from my favorite genre, I truly adore all of Leigh Bardugo’s novels. She is a master storyteller, interweaving plot lines beautifully and giving her characters some of the best development that I’ve ever read. Not to mention, she has a gorgeous writing style. Currently, Bardugo has two completed series as well as a new one that she is working on. Her first series is the Grisha trilogy, which introduces readers to her fantastical world of those who can manipulate all elements: things like light, metals and even human organs. This series follows a brave girl who ends up becoming the face of a revolution. Her second series, the “Six of Crows” duology, follows six main characters on the heist of their lives. They’re the best criminals around; no job is too outrageous for them. Her most recent work takes place immediately after “Six of Crows” but the cast of characters changes quite a bit. To say more is to spoil, so check it out for yourself!
