Finding time to read for pleasure in college can be tough, even if you love to read finding time can seem impossible, but a book a month seems doable for avid readers and busy bees. The question is, what book should you read? Well, here is a calendar to make that choice easier on you, judging by length, genre, style, and other factors here is the perfect book and other suggestions for that time of the year.
January
Start your year off with intellectually engaging material and life lessons that have served generations with a classic. Whether it is Tom Sawyer, To Kill a Mockingbird, or Oliver Twist, find a classic that has a famous plot that speaks to you. Classics are called classics for a reason, their messages and relatable characters last lifetimes over the centuries, find your classic read to teach you a thing or two and inspire creativity and wisdom for the new year.
February
During this month of cheesy and cliché romances, whether you are single or not, read a story about finding yourself and gaining confidence. A good independence finder novel choice would be Eat, Pray, Love or Perks of Being a Wallflower. Learning how to love yourself before focusing on a relationship is the perfect message for this month.
March
Now that you have the self-assurance and independence, read a love story, but with a twist. Choose a novel with romance in it but with a unique take and original ideas that haven’t been overused in literature. Try Broken by CJ Lyons, Dreamology by Lucy Keating, or Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon.
April
Time for a modern novel with spunk and personality that makes you think about life and appreciate the things you normally may not think about. Pick a book with some happiness and with some humor and sass, something like Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella or Meet Me at The Cupcake Café by Jenny Colgan.
May
For May, to honor Cinco de Mayo, choose a book with some Latin flare and Spanish characters. If you want a quick read that captures the culture and family life, go for A house on Mango Street. If you want a more edgy take on Latin American culture with more rogue characters, choose I am Not your Perfect Mexican Daughter.
June
Choose the equivalent of a chick flick with these female-led novels that capture the power, determination, love, and humor of women in society. Whether it is a woman overcoming social obstacles or finding herself, books like Lilac Girls, Me My Hair, and I, and A girl called Fearless all fit the bill. If you’re looking for a Romance aspect to your chick flick pick, look at works by Sarah Dessen, Suzanne Colasanti, or Jojo Moyes.
July
For the month that represents Independence choose a book about triumph, freedom, and fight. A Social justice book about people overcoming oppressions, obstacles, injustice, and other challenges in life capture a great message to teach the reader their value and the power of their voice and standing up for themselves on all levels. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, or any other book that represents a fight or rising above story.
August
For the end of summer and start of the school year, grab a new book that doesn’t prescribe to the typical school life book with the same dull but likable characters and opt for something more complex. Challenge yourself with a new and original novel about the challenging parts of high school and the difficulties as the highlight, not a romance or perfect life. In 500 Words or Less or Just Wreck it All are the perfect reads to add some edginess and risk to the start of your school year.
September
For September, indulge in a feel-good teen angst novel like I Hate Everyone But You that captures the hardships of moving away for college and adapting to new surroundings without the comfort of your best friend. Enjoy a wholesome friendship and learn about the ways people adjust to new elements in their life.
October
An obvious choice for this month of fright and scares is the genre of horror. Choose a book that falls under this category by being mysterious, haunting, or creepy. Go for classic pieces of horror written by Donna Tarte or Edgar Allen Poe, or go for a modern take and try out the Asylum novellas by Roux.
November
For this month choose to read something about a subject you don’t know much about, learn something new and explore cultures. Books like When my name was Keoko, Esperanza Rising, or Exit West.
December
Historical Fiction and Memoirs are often a great read that gets overlooked. Try out a historical fiction novel or memoir, like In the Shadow of the Bangan by Vaddey Ratner, The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, or The Atomic Weight of Love by Elizabeth Church.