If you’re anything like me, finding a good book can be difficult. You may be indecisive, or get distracted super easily, or you even may be just bored with those basic novels that you already know the ending to three pages in. I never had too much patience when reading and used to hate being forced to read books in class, and every chapter in, your professor tells you it’ll get better within a few chapters. And more often than not, your professor has lied to you. They never get better.
But hey, I’m not here to lie to you. Just like I’m not going to tell you I think running makes you feel good, when really, it just makes my muscles hurt and legs feel like jello. I’m not going to tell you to order that bowl of fruit and glass of water, when really I say order that double cheeseburger and chocolate milkshake. Point is, I’m not going to tell you what books I think you might like, but, instead, I’m going to tell you what books I know you will like.
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris Now if you enjoy a thriller-mystery novel that feels as if it is glued to your hands, unable to put it down, this is it. No more looking. Right off the bat, you may think you have this one figured out, but I promise, you don’t. I sure the hell didn’t. Paris has allowed his readers to be both detectives and sympathizers. Throughout the chapters, you ricochet back and forth between present day and years past. This keeps your anticipation level at an all time high, to say the least. He’s allowed so many to sympathize with the main character and acknowledges a depressing reality that millions face daily. He brings the question alive: Is the person you’ve loved really all they seem to be? This wasn’t coined an international phenomenon and instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller for nothing, believe me.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher If you’re someone who enjoys reading the book either before or instead of the tv show/movie, I highly recommend this. Now, I know, I know, I’m a little late in this suggestion, as the show has been released on Netflix for a while now. But if you live in your own little world like I gladly do, and haven’t seen it: don’t. At least, don’t quite yet.
Read this short novel first. It is a quick read, but really has a lot of meaning. I appreciate how each chapter takes you through each tape Hannah Baker, the main character, has left to the people leaving an impact in her life… before her suicide. It lets you into the minds of victims of various crimes, and also, into the ones that have contributed towards those crimes. Asher did a remarkable job creating a story, centered in the 21st century, bringing reality into the spotlight for many.
Love. Her. Wild. by Atticus This is one for the poetry lovers. The ones who appreciate true, raw poetry, acknowledging life and its thoughts. Acknowledging the worries and obstacles we face, but also the beautiful reality of it all. Life isn’t black and white. Neither is this book. Okay, visually, it is, I’ll give you that much. Between the pages are photographs that capture real humans in their element – nature at its finest. I believe this poetry is one of the truest I have read in a long time. It isn’t corny or all about rhyming. It captures the emotions we all come upon, and are just too silenced to speak of them.
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver I I like to refer to this novel as the mystery take on Mean Girls. It has, since I’ve read it, also become a movie, but the words in this book speak volumes that a film just does not cover, in my opinion. This book is for anyone that values life, and anyone who has taken advantage of anything life has to offer. Samantha Kingston is the main character, a high school student, too wrapped up in her click of friends, to realize life’s details. Until one night… the night she is killed. Yet, she still wakes up the next morning. But it is the same morning. Over and over again. Oliver has scripted an amazing New York Times Bestselling novel that takes you through the same day repeatedly of a victim, or, is she?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho This international bestseller has been read by over 80 million worldwide, and it is the first of its kind. To the naked eye, it is a mystical and magical modern classic of a young Shepard embarking on a journey. Throughout it, however, he is faced with various life metaphors. I found it not only inspiring, but extremely relatable. I did not expect that when diving into this short read. This book does not seclude itself to any generation of readers and throughout, it will teach you nothing short of wisdom, honesty, triumph and the importance of following your own path.
So, the next time you’re standing in the middle of Barnes and Noble clueless of what to buy, hopefully this will be your little guide to steer you in just the right direction.