Reading is important, we all know that. It’s an outlet that allows you to escape your own reality and immerse yourself in another person's story, even if only for a few pages. It can be extremely challenging in our tech-savvy society to find the time, patience, and motivation to actually sit down and open a book. Our attention spans have shrunk immensely because of our recent technological advancements and books just sometimes look a little too long. I’m guilty, too. As someone who considers herself a book lover, sometimes I even have a little trouble fully immersing myself into a story. Here are a few books that I have found, will inspire you to read more.
- "Paper Towns" —John Green
“What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person.”
I had to start with John Green; I couldn’t resist. Even if you saw the movie starring Naked Brother’s Band’s very own Nat Wolff, it’s still a great read. Good story, great characters and even better writing. A must read.
2. "Anthem" —Ayn Rand
“I am. I think. I will.”
A dystopian, fiction novel that takes place at an unspecified future date where individuals have no name, no values, and no independence. All traces of individualism have been wiped clean and decisions are made by a committee for the people. It is very heavy on philosophical examinations of self and identity which will bring out some crazy deep thoughts.
3. "Go Ask Alice" —Anonymous
“It’s a good thing most people bleed on the inside or this would really be a gory, blood-smeared Earth.”
A dark, but powerful read. View the diary entries of a girl who spirals down a path of drugs and danger and experience the journey to her recovery. An honest portrayal of the life of a drug addict that will hit you real hard right in the gut.
4. "If I Stay" —Gayle Forman
“But the you who you are tonight is the same you I was in love with yesterday, the same you I’ll be in love with tomorrow.”
Don’t skip past this one if you cringed at the title because you saw the movie! I read the book before seeing the movie and the movie really did not do this book justice. Read for the emotional and romantic journey of a girl who has to make a life or death decision (literally!).
5. "Quiet" —Susan Cain
“Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you’re supposed to.”
Calling all introverts! This one’s for you. A book all about the power of introverts and how dramatically undervalued they are and how ultimately, that is a loss. Susan Cain is shining a light of appreciation on those with a strong quiet side. A must-read.
6. "The Tale of Despereaux" — Kate DiCamillo
“Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform.”
One of my personal favorites as a child, but who says adults can’t also enjoy this moving story about a mouse? See how the mouse, the rat, the servant girl, and the princess named Pea, all come together for this classic story all about conformity and why that’s not always a good thing.
7. "The Road" —Cormac McCarthy
“If trouble comes when you least expect it then maybe the thing to do is always expect it.”
This one was probably been thrust upon you in late high school or maybe even college years, but if you haven’t read it, or just quickly skimmed the Sparknotes before an exam, I highly recommend giving it a proper chance. You won’t be able to put it down.
8. "White Noise" —Don Dilillo
“The greater the scientific advance, the more primitive the fear.”
Check out "White Noise," a novel about a dysfunctional family, a disaster, a murder, humorous teasing about our cultural values, and America’s obsession with the fear of dying. Sounds crazy, right?
9. "Autobiography of a Face" —Lucy Grealy
“Sometimes the briefest moments capture us, force us to take them in, and demand that we live the rest of our lives in reference to them.”
Diagnosed at a young age with cancer that severely disfigured her face, Lucy writes this memoir exposing the effects of our society’s preoccupation with physical beauty. Her struggle with her discovery that beauty lies within makes this more of a healing novel. If you really get into it, check out the sister novel, "Truth and Beauty" written by her good friend Ann Patchett. I had to read both of these books for a college class I took on disability and I have to say that they are both such intriguing and wise stories.
10. "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland" —Lewis Carroll
“It’s no use to going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”
Everyone who knows me well enough is rolling their eyes at this one because this classic is my absolute favorite and I make sure everyone knows it. Outrageously bizarre and absolutely curious, Alice explores her imagination and alters reality in the most inspirational of ways. If you’re feeling like escaping the real world, this one’s for you.
