In the incredibly busy life of a college student, it can sometimes be difficult to make time to sit down and read leisurely. College students are just so busy staring at their disappointing Twitter timelines while binge-watching "Grey’s Anatomy" to avoid their responsibilities that sometimes they forget all about reading (guilty). Avoid your responsibilities by reading instead. Here are some books to help you do so.
(These books are in no particular order.)
1. "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou.
In her first autobiography, Angelou illustrates what it’s like growing up in a world of endless abuse, racism, and sexism.
2. "The Fall" by Albert Camus.
This book will definitely have you questioning your existence. First of all, the point of view for this work is very different from most other works, which makes it even more interesting than it already is. In addition, to questioning your existence, you will also question what is moral and what is immoral, as well as your overall outlook on life.
3. "The Things They Carried" by Tim O’Brien.
"The Things They Carried" might have to be one of my all-time favorites; it’s genius. Whether you read this book one time or 50 times, it is undoubtedly a book that is hard to forget. O’Brien uses non-linear narration to convey the emotional burdens of a Vietnam soldier. The book does not simply tell readers what happened to soldiers during the war; it makes them feel what a soldier felt/ still feels by telling some stories the way we want them to be told, and others the way the events actually happened.
4. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.
Yeah, I know you probably read this in your high school English class, but read it again. One of my all-time favorite quotes comes from this novel: “Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing” (p. 20). The book focuses on racism and equality, right and wrong, as well as immaturity and maturity. With each read, I learn something new.
5. The "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling.
Obviously. No explanation is really needed here, but aside from the awesomeness of the wizarding world, Harry Potter teaches readers to question authority, that it is possible to overcome fears, and the importance of hope.
6. "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston.
This is definitely a novel that is way ahead of its time. There is no doubt that "Their Eyes Were Watching God" made a prominent impact on African American literature and feminist literature.
7. "The Unbearable Lightness Of Being" by Milan Kundera.
Just like "The Fall," this book is very philosophical. The non-linear plot of novel makes the audience question the importance and the unimportance of life, as well as the decisions they make.
8. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
IT’S. NOT. A. LOVE STORY!!!!!
9. "The Crank" series by Ellen Hopkins.
Compared to the other books on this list, this series seems pretty out of place; it’s a series more popular with 13-17 year olds, but I find it to be suitable for anyone. Yes, the books do give off a bit of a typical young adult novel vibe, but they are worth the read. The books are written in free verse poetry, which honestly just made my head hurt at first, but I got used to it (and you will too). The series follows a young girl as she spirals downward due to a meth addiction that she cannot break no matter how hard she tries. (Or doesn’t try). Each book illustrates the sad and painful truth of drug addiction.
10. "The Handmaid’s Tale" by Margaret Atwood.
This book AFFECTED me. I love it, yet it’s quite disturbing; the dystopia illustrated in this novel is definitely not one that seems impossible.
11. "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut.
WWII + aliens + life + death (so it goes) + non-chronological events + dark humor = Slaughterhouse-Five. Definitely a book that will make you think.
12. "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls.
This novel is not the typical, “Ah, my life is sucks. Poor me” memoir. The author tells the story of her childhood with neglectful parents and a dysfunctional family in a way that will most likely make you mad she’s not subtly begging for sympathy.
13. "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed.
Wild will definitely make you feel motivated to backpack the Pacific Crest Trail all alone, or at least finish your homework for the night.
14. "The Silver Linings Playbook" by Matthew Quick.
Read. The. Book. You may have seen the extremely overrated movie (not trying to be one of those “the book is way better than the movie” snobs), but the book is way better than the movie—despite very popular belief. The characters in the book are developed very intricately compared to the characters in the movie. The book is heartbreakingly honest in a bittersweet way; it deals with the realities of mental illness, betterment of oneself, love, and friendship. (Warning: this book has spoilers for some classic novels, so be careful if you’re not caught up with the classics.)
15. "The Beautiful and Damned" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
In this novel, enormous wealth and alcoholism are dealt with, along with the everlasting and negative effects the two aspects bring along with them.
16. "I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up For Education and Was Shot by the Taliban" by Malala Yousafzai.
This true story will make you value your education, as well as the other things you may take for granted, a little more.
17. "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath.
Don’t compare it to "Catcher in the Rye."
18. "1984" by George Orwell.
"1984" is another book you may have read in high school, or even in college, but it’s definitely a book worth re-reading. The way you view society will be changed, plus the book has its own fictional language, so that’s pretty cool.
