The holidays and winter break are right around the corner! However, once fall term ends, sometimes time becomes hard to fill. Beaver’s Digest has come up with the 10 things to do over break: 5 things to watch and 5 things to read. Some are holiday themed, and some aren’t, just in case you need an escape.

What to Read:

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: A beautifully crafted piece of literature written about a German girl during World War II, but narrated by the most unconventional character to date–Death. You will love the book so much, that we don’t have to tell you to put it on the watch list. You’ll be itching to see the film version by the end of this book.
2. The Giver by Lois Lowry: A short read that you will, again, be jumping to watch the film version of once finished. A story of a seemingly utopian society with conformity to a T, but one boy who begins to see color in a literally colorless world after learning his lot in life as the intern to the Giver. The Giver begins opening Jonas’s eyes to the reality of the world around him, as the boy begins to discover the truth beyond the truth.
3. The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe: A short story by the famous author of what began the horror and mystery genres about how your castle may not be as high on the hill as you believe. A deep and dark story with classic Poe elements of death and fear uses beautiful writing to provoke thought on how arrogance may not be as safe as one would assume.
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss: Clearly this is a classic. Take a few minutes and enjoy your childhood in its original form with the clever writing with Dr. Seuss’ creative and whimsical illustrations.
5. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: A novella by the iconic Dickens that has been turned into a template for every spin off imaginable. Again, take the time to enjoy a holiday classic in its original form, how it was intended to be experienced.

What to Watch:

1. Rogue One: A new release to the Star Wars world and a key component to the Star Wars timeline we know and love today. Coming to theaters on December 16, and is one you will not want to miss!
2. Jackie: Another new release, one that entered theaters on December 2. A retelling of the life of Jackie Kennedy after her husband’s assassination. With Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy, this film is a stunning retelling of the collapse of what was known as Camelot at the time.
3. Elf: Undoubtedly one of the most entertaining holiday films to date. Will Ferrell, as Buddy the Elf, encompasses the child within us, waiting to break free and govern our holidays once more.
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas: For those out there who enjoy the holidays, but more than just one. A darker movie about Halloweentown attempting to replicate Christmas and a Tim Burton film most likely for the person who also chose to read Edgar Allen Poe. Despite it’s dark tendencies, the movie is a beautiful stop motion film with a sparkling plot line filled with music, love, drama, fear and the spirit of both Halloween and Christmas.
5. A Christmas Story: Arguably the most iconic holiday film ever made. TBS chooses to play the movie for 24 hours straight on Christmas Day. No matter how many years you watch it, it somehow comes back as the guideline for every holiday. The perfect movie for gathering with friends and family to be the capstone for the holidays ahead.

Bonus: Because it’s the giving season, and we are feeling the generosity in the air!

Mean Girls: Everyone needs to experience the famous Jingle Bell Rock scene during the holidays.

Enjoy the holidays and take a break! Kick back and relax with these movies and books over the next month. Happy holidays from the BD team!

Sources:

Paramount Pictures

Kate Williams (via unsplash.com)

Jeremy Yap (via unsplash.com)