When recommending types of books to pack, I have to refer back to a saying that is commonly associated with weddings; “have something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”.
Something Old
When you move into college, it’s scary. You’re in a new place. You’re literally surrounded by thousands of new people. Pack a book that will provide you comfort. For me, that would by either Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, or Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Both books have seen me through thick and thin and I packed them as a kind of friend. I know the stories, at this point I’ve borderline memorized them. Pack you a comfort book. One that you can turn to when you and your roommate aren’t quite clicking, or you’re just a little overwhelmed.
Something New
Everything is new. Everything is bright and shiny. You are off on your first adventure. Bring a new adventure along with you. When you grow tired of people-watching at the bus stop, pull out your bright and shiny new book to read. I personally packed The Sorcerer in The North, fifth in the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan. It’s a short and sweet book. There is a dog in it, which is a great selling point. Pack you an adventure on paper while you have an adventure in the world!
Something Borrowed
We all have friends from back home, and we miss them. One of my best friends has an intense love of Star Wars, as do I. This friend recommended a book to me, Star Wars Republic Commandos: Triple Zero. It is insanely good. I would just recommend that you read the first book before this one, unlike I did. Bringing a book that you borrowed from home, especially one from a friend, gives you a reminder of where you’re from.
Something Blue
Spoiler: Blue is my favorite color. So, of course I had to recommend packing a Blue book. The one that I packed personally is Geekerella by Ashley Poston. An amazing book that has a beautiful Blue hardcover, once you get rid of the awful dust jacket. But seriously, find a book with a bright Blue color. Even if you don’t read it, Blue goes with just about anything, so, room décor.
These are the books that have gotten me through my first two weeks of being a freshman in college. Freshman year is scary, for me at least. Books are comfort for me. Pick your titles. Pick your story. We’re freshman, we’re only on the first few pages of our own book. Why not add some references in?