5 Books Lawyers Should Read on a Sunny Beach This Spring Break

By Mark Wilson, Esq. on March 09, 2015 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

If you're lucky, then you'll soon be going somewhere for spring break (and if you live basically anywhere except out west, you're long overdue for a sunny beach somewhere). It's an opportunity to unwind, but it's also an opportunity to read something that's not a deposition transcript or case law.

Hopefully you've already gone through our suggestions for books to read in the new year, meaning you're ready for some more guidance. As it happens, we coincidentally have some ideas for books you should read on spring break:

Non Fiction

"Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief" by Lawrence Wright

Wright interviewed hundreds of current and former Scientologists to report on the secret inner-workings of the church founded by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. The book talks about why Scientology is so popular among Hollywood types and discusses the church's high-profile lawsuits -- many of which involve suing critics for defamation -- and the ludicrous tactics it uses to win those lawsuits.

"The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo

What better time than spring to read a book about cleaning? Kondo's book, though, isn't just about cleaning. It's about how putting your stuff in order using her self-invented method causes you to change your mind-set in general. Don't just store your old stuff somewhere: Throw it away. Say goodbye to old things that don't "spark joy." And make "tidying" a habit.

Fiction

"The Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gaiman

From the guy who wrote the source novel for the creepy kid's film "Coraline" comes a book for adults that's about childhood, growing up, and memory. As an adult, when you look back on events from your childhood, they suddenly take on a different meaning. Because it's Neil Gaiman, those memories are going to be haunting and possibly supernatural.

"The Devil's Detective" by Simon Kurt

Dante wrote about the many famous figures that inhabit Hell, but in Simon Kurt's novel, Hell is a pretty ordinary place. Thomas Fool is an detective there, charged with investigating crime in classic detective story style -- except it's in Hell. Oh, and it's not all romantic down there, either: As you might expect, in addition to loads of violence, Hell is full of bureaucracy and politics that gets in the way of Fool's investigation.

"One More Thing" by B.J. Novak

The short story form is good for everyone: Your commitment isn't as great as in a novel, and the author is forced to make every word count. B.J. Novak, formerly a writer and co-star of "The Office," takes everyday, familiar things and turns them into comedy. A woman goes out on a blind date -- with an African warlord. A Craigslist missed connection describes what actually happened, but also what could have happened. Winning $100,000 from a box of corn flakes has unexpected consequences.

Any more suggestions for our spring break books list for lawyers? Let us know via Twitter (@FindLawLP) or Facebook (FindLaw for Legal Professionals).

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