Back home in Miami Beach, my bedroom was practically filled to the brim in books. My collection spanned over four different bookshelves, with about 250 books and plays in total.Â
It was a book lover’s dream.Â
When packing for college I found myself continuously stuck staring at my collection, wondering just how I would handle myself without them. Eventually, I decided on choosing the seven most important books I owned, and purchasing my very adorable light pink Kindle to make up for those that couldn’t come along.Â
As an avid reader and book hoarder for the past 12 years of my life, I took careful care in making this selection:
Perhaps the easiest book I decided to bring with me, The Secret History, has been an absolute favorite of mine for the past four years. Donna Tartt’s striking prose, moody atmosphere, and incredibly complex characters fascinate me even on my fourth read. There seems to always be more to analyze, hidden details I missed out on, and with every read I find myself more interested, not bored.Â
The Secret History is the perfect dark academic book, fit with snowy mountains, and of course, murder (not a spoiler it’s in the first page!). Even then, I’ve read it not just during fall but also spring, summer, and winter — it’s been with me through it all. I might pick it up again soon!
Dear Anna is a contemporary young adult book following 15-year-old Missy in her first year of high school. It’s a tragic story of broken friendships, grief, and love, showing the complicated nature and sometimes devastating consequences of dealing with such things at a young age.
Or as I simply explain it, the perfect mix of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Thirteen (2003).
While the characters and stories are ones I hold very close to my heart, there’s a greater reason I had to bring it with me.
I wrote it!
Dear Anna is my debut self-published novel that was officially released in May of 2025 and it’s truly my pride and joy. Since I was a kid, becoming an author felt like less of a bucket list goal, and more of a sure path. I keep my book just above my desk, perfectly in my eye sight so everyday, no matter how I’m feeling, I can look up and remind myself of the dream I worked so hard to create.Â
What first started out as an AP Literature assigned reading turned into one of the most devastating reading sessions of my life! I ended it pages still left tear stained.
That being said, a good cry was needed, and necessary for a book such as this one. Anxious People is one of those books that you can’t quite explain but you know everyone needs to read. A beautifully heartbreaking literary fiction, with such a diverse group of characters that almost anyone at any stage in their life can find at least one they relate to. I truly think it will be a favorite of mine for years to come.
Arguably the most important play I’ve ever read, as it fundamentally changed me and what I hope to do in the future. Leaving the theatre after watching the cast take their bows, I was left distraught but forever changed. This play opened my eyes to a whole world of contemporary plays I never knew existed, and showed me the type of work I could be creating. It felt so obvious looking back, combining my love for theatre and writing, but seeing and reading this play is what truly solidified my love of playwriting.
If you ever needed a sign to pick up one of R.F. Kuang’s books, this is it! The first time I read Babel, I found myself absolutely floored by the entire tale. There is truly no other author doing it like R.F. Kuang. Her stories and characters deal with such interesting topics in the most uniquely fantastical ways while still feeling deeply rooted in reality and relevant to today. An incredible book I know will be re-reading a million times over again.
All I can say is this book wrecked me. It was the first book to truly make me sob, and that’s just a testament to the incredible story Lancali tells. My love for this book is so strong that when it was re-published with new edits and a new cover, I was gifted a second copy of it for Christmas.Â
The hardest part was deciding which version would come with me!
My Friends is the first and only of my books I chose to bring that I actually have not already read. Funny enough, I purchased this book during my visit to Boulder for orientation. I was browsing the lovely Boulder Bookstore and was stopped in my tracks by its beautiful cover. When I realized it was by the same author of my beloved Anxious People I bought it without even reading the synopsis!Â
Definitely can’t wait to read, maybe I’ll do a review…
While I’ll always miss my books back home, these seven do a pretty good job at filling the void, and I can’t wait to see what I’ll read next!