Reading is a lost art that deserves a shot among students who haven’t thought to take a chance on the relaxing activity. If you’re a fan of music and movies, you’re definitely going to love reading. Admittedly, reading takes a lot of time – sometimes even more than you can spare – but if you’ve got it, try to settle down with one of the books we’ve listed down here. Who knows? You may even be the one who encourages your roomies to do the same, too!

1. Feeling stressed out? Try the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella

There’s nothing like a lighthearted eight-book series to get you through several rainy days. Chronicling financial-journalist-turned-TV-presenter-turned-personal-shopper (long story there!) Rebecca Bloomwood through life committed to her shopping addiction (and, well, her husband). From a national exposé to a long-lost sister, each book is a relaxing, easy read that will give you something to laugh at when life won’t. Beware of fashion envy, though! You might want to ask one of your roomies to keep your online shopping accounts locked before you read this… that is, unless you’ve got the entire coliving space hooked on this book! Sounds like a situation for your beekeeper.

Honorable mention: The Carrie Diaries by Candance Bushnell

2. Want to laugh out loud? Try The Martian by Andy Weir

You know what they say, "It could be worse." For botanist Mark Watney, it probably can’t. Abandoned by his crew a few days after their Mars landing (in their defense, he was assumed dead), he’s forced to survive by himself on a planet he’s not familiar with – at all. Read through Mark’s potato-planting, water-creating, planet-discovering journey accompanied by his characteristic good humor that rings true despite the odds. If you’re a STEM student at school, you may even pick up something useful from Mark himself. The movie pales in comparison, especially when you’ve finished the book, but it’s always a good idea to share the experience with your roomies! Popcorn? Check. Beekeeper’s permission to rearrange coliving space? Check. Coliving space rearranged to look like a theater? Check.

Honorable mention: The Financial Lives of Poets by Jesse Walter

3. Want to cry? Try The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

If there’s one thing we love, it’s a good coming-of-age novel. The Book Thief needs no introduction, especially after the release of the film version that had everyone watching crying when Rudy… wait a second, no spoilers here! Told from the perspective of death, readers can follow Liesel’s transformative (and premature, on account of the World War going on) personal journey towards adulthood through education, as well as the appearances of people she will come to know as her best friends. The book also contains a discussion guide that may prove useful for book clubs within your coliving space. If that’s not what the roomies are into, well, what’s a student coliving experience without a movie every other weekend?

Honorable mention: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Reading shouldn’t be a chore. If you find yourself getting bored with what you’re reading at the moment, especially for new readers, you can always switch it out for something you’ll like better. We’re willing to bet that once you find your preference, you’ll never get bored with any of the other books you pick up afterwards. Now get reading, roomie!