No matter what your favorite genre, we can all agree, reading is not only good for the brain, it’s also good for the heart. Reading is a great stress reducer; it also helps lower blood pressure and heart rate. As we age, reading regularly helps aid restful sleep and prevents cognitive decline, while other benefits include fighting depression, creating positive motivational habits, and helping individuals feel more empathy.
So curl up with your favorite book or check out one of the books below, chosen by our Paradise Valley Community College Librarian Paula Crossman.
- Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead is a riveting account of a modern-day David Copperfield, set in Appalachia. It’s a challenging read due to the tragic circumstances of Demon growing up in poverty, but it’s a transformational story.
- If you love video games and stories about the enduring power of friendship, check out Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.
- Mhairi McFarlane will make you laugh out loud and cry a little. Her brand of contemporary romance features the inner lives and friendships of the main character. In Mad About You, the real story is about learning to love and trust yourself, and romance takes the back burner.
- Love suspense? Pick up Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister. This is a tense thriller that exposes the corrosive nature of guilt and secrecy.
- Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid is on everyone’s “best-of” lists from 2022. Experience the tenacity and ambition of a premier athlete who comes out of retirement to defend her tennis title.
- Check out our collection of graphic novels and manga. We have popular series like Heartstopper by Alice Oseman and Jujutsu Kaisen by Gege Akutami.
Many of these books can be found in PVCC’s Buxton Library, which has the latest bestsellers and movies, as well as many other resources for students. Running out of things to watch on Netflix? Look for critically acclaimed movies and documentaries on the following streaming services offered for free through the library: Kanopy, Swank, and Docuseek.
Join PVCC’s Book Club
PV Reads is the college’s official book club, and is open to all students, faculty, and staff. It’s a great way to get to know people and share your love of books. This semester’s book is If We Were Villains: A Novel, by M.L. Rio. Click here to find out more or email michelle.bielick@paradisevalley.edu or kaitlin.southerly@paradisevalley.edu.
For specific help, visit the web page or choose from the list below.
- Need immediate help? Use our 24/7 chat service: Ask A Librarian
- Need research help with an assignment? Schedule a consultation with one of our friendly librarians or request a research packet of hand-selected materials.
- Need access to your textbook? We can scan a limited number of pages and send them to you until your financial aid is ready. Email us at: library@paradisevalley.edu
- Want an item from our collection? Call 602-787-7200 or email us with your request: library@paradisevalley.edu