Seven great finds at the HUB bookstore for the reader on your holiday shopping list

Sydney Anderson

She/Her

Staff Writer

12/10/23

The school bookstore, located within the HUB, is full of surprises. Amongst shelves of school merchandise and textbooks, students can find tech accessories, stationary and snacks. Tucked snugly between racks of course materials is an array of popular fiction books, ranging from BookTok’s latest obsessions to queer favorites. If you’re looking for something new to read, PSU’s selection is pretty decent. Whether you’re into young adult mysteries or mythology, the bookstore likely has something for you. They have several shelves of material to offer, but a few in particular stick out as great reads that are definitely worth picking up on your next trip to the HUB.

#1. The Secret History by Donna Tartt 

If you’re looking to live out your dark academia fantasies, “The Secret History” is the book for you. “The Secret History” is a psychological thriller set here in New England. It’s based on Tartt’s time at Bennington College in Vermont, a small and eerie school. The story follows Richard Papen, who’s studying classics, and the group of pretentious friends he comes to meet. The group are socially isolated and become increasingly strange as Papen grows closer to them. “The Secret History” is a tale of ostentatious English students who get a bit too caught up in the ideals of gothic literature. Ideally, this book should be read by candlelight with a fountain pen to annotate. 

#2. One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus

Fans of “The Breakfast Club” will love “One of Us Is Lying” by Karen McManus. “One of Us Is Lying” is a young adult mystery told from the alternating perspectives of four high school students after they attend a detention period together, alongside another student who does not survive the hour. Each are suspects of the crime, and none seem to know who the real murderer is. “One of Us Is Lying” is a fun read; simple enough to be read in a few sittings without much thought, but entertaining enough to keep your attention on and your fingers turning the pages. “One of Us Is Lying” also has a television adaptation for Peacock, so if you’ve seen that, try out the book version and see how you like it.

#3. Circe by Madeline Miller

If you liked Percy Jackson as a child, it’s officially time to graduate to Madeline Miller. Miller, author of “The Song of Achilles”, is known for her retellings of Greek Mythology tales such as that of Patroclus and Achilles, or in this case, Circe from The Odyssey.  In this retelling, Miller tells the story of Circe, daughter of Helios and Perse. “Circe” was released in 2018, and with strong feminist themes present in the novel, it quickly became a notable part of the MeToo movement. Miller’s mythological retellings are great stories of love, loss, and power, perfect for fans of Greek Mythology or fantasies.

#4. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston        

There is no MLM, enemies-to-lovers book loved more online than McQuiston’s “Red, White & Royal Blue”. “Red, White & Royal Blue” tells the story of Alex Claremont-Diaz, son of the first-ever female president of the United States, and Prince Henry, son of the English monarchy. Despite being political allies, the two have been at each other’s throats ever since they met as teenagers. Now, as young adults, they’re forced to spend more time together after an unfortunate PR mishap and end up falling for each other along the way. If you’ve ever used Wattpad or Archive of our Own, this is a book for you. McQuiston’s books are jam-packed with beloved tropes and pop culture references that aren’t yet outdated. “Red, White & Royal Blue” was recently adapted into a movie for Prime Video, but the book is much better. If you watched the movie, or if it sounds interesting to you at all, give it a read!

#5. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune 

“The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune is one of my personal favorite books. TJ Klune is known for his whimsical and flowery writing, and his ability to make fantasy scenarios mundane. For most fantasy books, it takes about half of the novel to understand the worldbuilding and setting. In Klune’s books, it’s not difficult to understand at all. “The House in the Cerulean Sea” is about a magical orphanage isolated away from the world in order to hide the children who live there, each of whom are odd in some way. Society hates the orphanage, deeming the children there as dangerous and unsightly. Linus Baker, the main character, is assigned the task to investigate the orphanage with the intent to have it shut down. Instead, he arrives and finds that it’s not at all the place that outsiders believe it to be. “The House in the Cerulean Sea” is a beautiful story that is both sad and comforting. It reads like a warm cup of coffee on a cold day. 

#6. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

One of the most popular television shows amongst teenagers in 2023 was Prime Video’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty”, starring Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno. While Prime Video’s TV adaptation only has two seasons released, there’s three books in the original series. While the books aren’t as exciting as the Prime Video series, they do provide an ending for any fans of the show who are eager to find out what happens to the characters before the release of the final season, which hasn’t begun filming yet due to the recent SAG-AFTRA strike. You can find the first book in Jenny Han’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty” trilogy at the bookstore. 

#7. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Another one of TikTok’s favorites, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”, is featured at the bookstore. The novel is written in a reflective format in which 79-year-old Evelyn Hugo, who was Hollywood’s biggest star in the ‘60s, gives a tell-all interview with a journalist about her time in the limelight. If you follow celebrities, journalism, or watch reality TV, this is a book for you, full of scandals and mischief. The book also follows main character Monique Grant, the journalist reporting on Evelyn Hugo’s life, and her own personal journey coinciding with Hugo’s. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” is set to release a movie adaptation on Netflix, directed by Leslye Headland and likely with a star-studded cast. If you want to read the book before the movie is released, the bookstore has it for you!

The PSU bookstore is open 8:30am-5:00pm Monday through Friday, and 11am-3pm on Saturdays. Swing by to pick up one of these great reads!