If you get bored over winter break, reading interesting books is a great way to pass the time.

By Mary Windsor, Staff Writer

Published in print Dec 3, 2014.

Once you’re finally done and through with all-nighters spent in the library cramming for exams and writing final papers, winter break gives you a few weeks of relaxation. It’s a time to rest and take on some recreational reading that you couldn’t quite manage to fit into your schedule over the past semester.

The Night Circus

Erin Morgenstern’s novel “The Night Circus” is a fantastical fairy tale set in London that follows a traveling magical circus that only opens its doors to the public from sunset to sunrise. The Night Circus encases all things magical – from psychics and contortionists, to a beautiful maze that enchants all of its visitors. It holds blooming gardens of ice, acrobats who seem to disappear mid-air during their performance. It even has its own “groupies” or a network of devoted followers that try and find the circus new locations; they exclusively dress in black and white, adding a splash of red to mimic the circus outward design. The circus isn’t all laughter, joy and wonderful events, there is a darker purpose for its existence looming in the corners of the book and its characters.

“The Night Circus” tells the story of two orphans, Marco and Celia, who grow up very far from each other but are both trained in using telekinetic and psychic powers.

Celia is a renowned illusionist, creating birds out of clothing and changing the color of fabric with her mind. Marco, on the other hand, can create complete and minute worlds at his minds command. Their creators, or guardians, that have been caring for them, are sculpting them to become opponents against one other. Although they were unaware, a competition has been occurring between them. What will happen when these two meet? Will they defy the odds? Or in turn destroy each other, killing the loser?

Gone Girl

If you’re in the mood for a book-gone-movie type novel, “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn is a must read. Aside from the movies that have come out this year including “The Hobbit,” “Mockingjay Part 1” (The Hunger Games Trilogy) and “The Maze Runner,” “Gone Girl” is definitely the one that defies all imagination and foreshadowing.

“Gone Girl” is a novel filled with suspense on every page. It keeps the reader guessing the main characters motives. It explores the psychology, social and interpersonal dynamics between long-term relationships.

It chronicles the relationship of Nick and Amy Dunne’s peculiar marriage. The book is told in first-person by both Nick and Amy. Nick’s side of the story is told in present time, while Amy’s is told in past tense, through journal entries.

You gain a sense of trust within the characters that is quickly deteriorated  in the second half of the novel when you learn the lies that they’ve been hiding. They are not as trustworthy as they seemed. Secret affairs, evidence planted against the Dunne family, and a diary whose entries have been manipulated all lead the reader to second guess the unreliable narrators motives and intentions.

The shocking twist to the end of the novel will leave any reader gasping for air and understanding.

There’s kidnapping, murder, and a revelation that leaves the reader with no clear resolution of the end.