Literature is one of the most important forms of media, especially when it comes to educating others on important (and sometimes difficult) topics. While non-fiction is incredibly effective, when it comes to getting information to the general public, I have found that fiction is another useful tool and one that is more accessible to a wider audience as well. While this list is not by any means exclusive, these are some of the most important examples that I have read personally.
1. "It Ends With Us" by Colleen Hoover: Domestic Abuse
One of the most profound things about Hoover's latest novel is the fact that while this is first and foremost a story about abuse, we are able to see a side of the victims that is not often found in books of this nature. While at no point does Hoover ever romanticize or condone violence, we are able to feel Lily's struggle over whether or not she should leave her husband in a way that allows us to sympathize with her, but never portrays her as weak. In fact, Lily is one of the strongest female characters I have ever read about. "It Ends With Us" is heartbreakingly beautiful, and is a must-read for everyone despite it's difficult subject matter.
2. "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins: Drug Abuse and Addiction
Written in verse, Hopkins' first novel is a tragic tale of drug abuse and the effect it has on the family's of those who suffer from addiction. Inspired by the addiction of her own daughter, Hopkins' haunting take on the struggles of addiction is so real and relatable that it feels as if you're reading about your best friend. Kristina's addiction to crystal meth, or "crank" as the title suggests, provides an insight to how addiction not only affects people's physical being, but their mental and emotional being, in addition to their relationships. The poetic writing of "Crank" allows this book the emotional freedom a novel like this requires, and is a great read for anyone trying to understand what could be going through the mind of someone who is suffering from addiction.
3. "All the Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven: Mental Illness (Depression)
One of the most important things about this novel is the fact that it draws attention to the fact that we, as a society, treat mental illness differently than we do physical illness. There is a stigma behind it, and many people go untreated because their condition is invalidated, especially in teenagers. Finch buries his depression deep within him, and constantly thinks of different ways he can kill himself. The saddest part about this book, to me at least, was how incredibly relatable Finch's situation was. I can't count the number of times I have buried my feelings, or known friends to do the same, because I felt like my feelings weren't valid. "All the Bright Places" helped me realize that my feelings are valid, and that not making those feelings legitimate could be extremely harmful to my well-being.
4. "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher: Suicide
This book is one of the first books that made me cry uncontrollably because I couldn't handle how upsetting it was. With that being said, the subject matter of this book makes it extremely difficult and uncomfortable to read. "Thirteen Reasons Why" is a novel where the entire plot is centered around why a high school girl kills herself, and the entire story is heartbreaking. However, despite how difficult this book is to read, Asher does an incredible job capturing what could drive a young girl to take her life, and highlights the importance of how even the small, seemingly insignificant things in life (i.e. someone being teased in the hallway) can add up to become major problems, potentially resulting in suicide. "Thirteen Reasons Why" is a book that I believe could be extremely beneficial to middle and high school aged kids in addition to those older because of the awareness that it causes.
5. "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green: Cancer and Loss
This was the first novel I ever read written by John Green, and to this day, it is still my favorite. "The Fault in Our Stars" follows Hazel and Augustus's romance, both of whom have cancer. This book is unapologetic in its talk of how difficult cancer is on both the families and individuals who are affected by this disease. I think this novel is important besides this fact though: while it covers difficult topics like cancer and loss, there is still a hopeful tone throughout the novel that allows this book to not just be another depressing cancer sob-story. This book is not perfect, but it perfectly captures what it feels like to lose a loved one, and I think that is what really matters.
6. "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic" by Alison Bechdel: Sexuality
I was drawn to this book because of the Tony Award winning musical by the same name. I didn't realize when I first started reading the book, written in comic form, how life-changing it would be for me. "Fun Home" is an autobiographical narrative of Alison Bechdel and her family, covering topics such as discovering ones' sexuality to depression. Bechdel's story is beautifully written and illustrated, and truly eye-opening as to what coming out to a family with a father who is in denial of his own sexuality would be like. In addition to the story itself, Bechdel is the feminist icon who came up with the "Bechdel Test" for films.
7. "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson: Mental Illness (Eating Disorders)
As a dancer, I have seen the girls depicted in Anderson's "Wintergirls" too many times. Anderson does not hold back when describing the horrors of eating disorders, particularly anorexia. The vivid imagery used to describe Lia, the main character who suffers from an eating disorder, is haunting and unforgettable. This book is, without a doubt, one of the best depictions of anorexia I have ever found in fiction, and the awareness it raises because of this is incredible.
8. "This is Where it Ends" Marieke Nijkamp: School Shootings
Nobody likes to talk about attacks like mass-shootings, even though we see them far too frequently on the news. Furthermore, no one would want to read a young-adult fiction novel about what it's like inside a school shooting, right? Well, "This is Where it Ends" impressed me immensely. While the story is difficult to stomach at times, especially considering its subject matter, Nijkamp has created a novel that takes a horrific tragedy and turns it into a beautiful work of art that is equally heartbreaking and hopeful. In addition to her beautiful storytelling, this novel features an extremely diverse cast of both race and sexuality, and is easily the best book I have ever read dealing with this subject.
9. "Exit, Pursued by a Bear" by E.K. Johnston: Sexual Assault
I had heard raving reviews of Johnston's latest novel, "Exit, Pursued by a Bear." I had heard that it is one of the best books that has to do with sexual assault, and the consequences that follow for the victim. However, I was not expecting to be completely blown away by how real the characters and situations were within the story. Our main character, Hermione, gets drugged and then raped while at cheer camp, resulting in her trying to figure out who did this to her, while at the same time trying to handle the emotional trauma that follows incidents like this. Her support system is absolutely incredible though; her parents are behind all of her decisions, her cheer team is always on her side and willing to do whatever Hermione may need, and her therapist is so real that for a while, I forgot I was reading. While the ending was not what I expected (or particularly wanted) in terms of justice being served, "Exit, Pursued by a Bear" is a brilliant novel when it comes to tackling what comes next after one is sexually assaulted.
10. "All the Rage" by Courtney Summers: Sexual Assault"
Unlike "Exit, Pursued by a Bear," Courtney Summers' novel, "All the Rage" tackles the same ideas as Johnston, but with a completely different, and more difficult to stomach, perspective. Unlike Hermione, when Romy is sexually assaulted by her small-town sheriff's son, not only does nobody support her — she is shunned from her peers and branded a liar. To make matters worse, during the school year, she is harrassed mercilessly by the other girls, and in doing so, Summers demonstrates the sad truth that many people face in our culture of slut-shaming and victim-blaming. "All the Rage" is completely unapologetic in its depiction of bullying and struggling to overcome sexual assault without any support system, and while that makes the novel difficult to read at times (or throughout the entire thing), Summers's novel is one of the most important narratives on sexual assault and the victim blaming culture we find ourselves living in today.
11. "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphey: Body Positivity
On a much lighter note, one novel that really stands out to me features a plus-size beauty who knows who she is and is unafraid to tell anyone that may ask. "Dumplin'" is a story for anyone who feels that they are not enough, that they need to lose a few pounds to become anything special, that need to change who they are so others will like them. Willowdean is the hero all girls need, even if you didn't know it. Her confidence in both her appearance and her personality are something to be admired, and the whole novel tells a story of overcoming doubt about oneself and how, no matter what, you are always enough just the way you are.
12. "The Princess Saves Herself in This One" by Amanda Lovelace
Arguably the most important book on this list, Amanda Lovelace's "The Princess Saves Herself in This One" is, without a doubt, my favorite poetry collection I have ever read. It's hard to pinpoint what exactly makes this book so special and important because every poem within is equally beautiful and significant. Amanda opens her soul to us in this collection, talking about everything from her past relationships and family to her love of writing and her fiancé. Her way with words is unmatched, and I found myself relating to her story more than I expected. "The Princess Saves Herself in This One" is a feminist anthem, a legacy, and if you don't believe that every woman is a powerful goddess, you will once you read Amanda's poems. If you only read one book out of this entire list, it must be this one, and you will see why.
