With summer almost here it is time to create that list of books that we say we are going to read, but may or may not actually get to. Take a look at my list of books that you must read either this summer, or at the very least, before you graduate college.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
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For those who love a good romance novel, this should be the next book you dedicate your time to. It’s not a typical romance book, like the ones involving a pretty girl meeting a mysterious, yet handsome guy. Instead, it focuses on a girl, named Louisa or ‘Lou,’ who goes from job-to-job. When she is let go from her latest job at a café, she discovers a six-month long job that requires her to take care of a young, paraplegic man. With his cynical look on life, and her optimism, the two clash at first until she takes the time to show him the greater parts of life.
Beloved by Toni Morrison
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This powerful book tells the story of how the past can truly come back to haunt you. Taking place after the Civil War, a young woman escapes slavery with her three children and cannot forget the horrors of her past. The family is haunted by a ghost in their home, driving away her sons. It is not until an old friend from the past arrives that the ghost finally leaves. As things seem to be changing for the better, a strange woman named Beloved comes creating turmoil.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
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If you have not seen this new show on Hulu, or are wondering where the show was inspired from, pick up this addictive read. It takes place in the near-future after a totalitarian government takes over the United States. With dangerously low reproduction rates, fertile women are labeled as Handmaids who are forced to bear children for the most elite couples. Going between the past and the present, the main character, Offred, tells her story from both her life in the past, before everything changed, to the present where she is now almost a captive slave.
Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me by Lily Collins
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It seems like many celebrities have been putting out books describing their lives or talking about issues that are important to them. If you have not had a chance to read one yet, I highly recommend Lily Collins’ book as she talks about acceptance of yourself and dealing with body image issues. Reading her book is like having a conversation – it is light and funny, while also heartbreaking at times too.
The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe
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This book is one of the most relatable, as it tells the story of postgraduate women making their way up in the world. Though it was published in 1958, people are still finding it not only relevant, but relatable today. It tells the story of five young women working at a New York publishing company, each one has a unique story, but all of them face the same conflict which is making it in the big city.
Take a day off from your chaotic college life and crack open one of these book. They definetly will not dissapoint.