Do you need book recommendations? Well, B-Line has you covered!

As Spring Break approaches and Barstow students have more time on their hands, they may be looking for ways to pass the time. For the readers among us, I have a few recommendations for some great reads for your upcoming break. 

First for our recommendations is Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell. At 352 pages, this novel makes for a quick, light hearted read. It tells the story of Clara, a young witch with uncontrollable magic. When her powers become dangerous, she must work with her childhood friend-turned-enemy, Xavier, to prevent her magic from hurting those she cares about. 

Photo Credit Amazon.

As I read this book, the writing style really stuck out to me. Bakewell’s talent for capturing the settings and descriptions of her novels, fully immersing you in the fictional world of magic Clara and Xavier lived in. This story does have romance, so if you’re a fan of romance stories, this novel will be right up your alley. 

Several reviewers have mentioned that this novel feels inspired by Studio Ghibli movies, and I definitely agree. Evoking cozy feelings and whimsical magic, this story will have you finishing it in just a few days like I did. Categorized as Young Adult Fantasy, it has 3 ½ stars on GoodReads. For a quick foray that will get you out of the real world for a few hours,  I definitely recommend Flowerheart. 

For those of you who are interested in mystery and suspense novels, I would recommend The Naturals  by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. First published in 2013, the story centers on Cassie, a young girl who is a natural “profiler” with the innate ability to read and understand people. After her mother’s murder, she is recruited by the FBI with other teens of similar caliber and begins solving cases. 

Photo Credit Amazon.

The Naturals is the first in the four book series, and the books only get better as the series progresses. This is one of my all time favorite books. Jennifer Lynn Barnes has an addictive writing style, and her characters have a way of drawing you in and connecting with you. 

Barnes’ most popular series on social media are The Inheritance Games books, which I will admit are also fantastic reads. However, I would argue that The Naturals is by far the better series, with a 4.19 on GoodReads. Each book centers around a mystery, with the final novel culminating in a thriller that connects each book. The ending was absolutely worth it, and I still reread these books all the time. For literally anyone who is a fan of mystery, The Naturals is a must read.

My last recommendation is one of my most recent reads, The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, with a 4.66 on GoodReads. Before starting this novel, I was very intimidated. Brandon Sanderson is a renowned author, known for his long and sprawling fantasy series. I’d always wanted to read his work, but I’d never worked up the courage before. 

Photo Credit Amazon.

Published in 2010, the first book comes in at 1007 pages, and the books only get longer from there. However, as soon as I read the first chapter of The Way of Kings, I knew I was in for something special. Sanderson is a master of worldbuilding and character arcs, and the final chapter was perhaps the best culmination of a book I’ve ever read. The Way of Kings has quickly become one of my favorite books of all time, and I’m currently reading the third book of the four that Sanderson has out right now. If you’re interested in fantasy at all, then The Way of Kings is a necessary read. I completely, 100% recommend it to anyone who loves reading. In fact, as a fellow reader, I beg you to read this book. I can promise that you won’t regret it. 

We at the B-Line staff sincerely hope that you pick up one of these books for your next read. Have a great Spring Break, and Happy Reading!