As an English major and avid book lover, it always breaks my heart a bit when someone says that they hate reading. I honestly believe that anyone who hates reading simply hasn’t found the right book for them yet. With that said, here is a list of five books that I believe anyone, even a book hater, could love!
1. Slade House by David Mitchell
Do you love haunted houses? Were Goosebumps books or Scooby Doo cartoons your thing as a kid? If so, this book is for you! This novel tells the story of Slade House, an old British manor that draws a new stranger into its gates every nine years, and what happens inside is truly a mystery. Modern-day gothic meets science fiction, Slade House constructs an unpredictable and winding narrative. The blend of fantastical magic and true emotion makes for a quick and enjoyable read.
2. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Fans of true crime and real-life mystery, pay attention! Check out Larson’s non-fiction book that tells the story of Chicago in 1893 -one of the brightest and bleakest times in the city’s history. Chicago became a brand name city holding one of the world’s most grand expositions, The World’s Fair, while simultaneously serving as the hunting grounds for famed serial killer H.H. Holmes. Holmes’ story has become especially popular in recent years, with American Horror Story basing their fifth season, “Hotel,” on the killer. This book tells the history in such as captivating way that you would never know it’s not fiction, and you won’t be able to put it down until you’re finished.
3. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
This book is so great that it was turned into a movie starring Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley. But trust me, the book is better! I don’t want to give too much away, but what I can say is that this dystopian, science fiction novel tells the story of a group of kids growing up in a special boarding school in England. At its core, it is a coming of age story, and beautifully details the anxieties of growing up, finding love, and figuring out one’s purpose. Waterworks warning though!
4. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
If you couldn’t handle the tears from my previous recommendation, be warned of this one. By the same author who wrote The Kite Runner, this novel tells the story of two young women growing up in modern-day Afghanistan. Hosseini details the hardship, beauty, and reality that millions of women face today, and captures the female experience more honestly than any other male author I have read. This book remains one of my favorites and speaks to a larger experience and culture that is not often depicted in fiction.
5. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
This is one of the most unique novels that I have read in a long time, so I’m adding it to this list even though it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. This book is hard to explain, but essentially it follows Willie Lincoln, Abraham Lincon’s son, after his death as a young boy. We follow Willie’s journey through the afterlife, which is a blend of many different religious interpretations. We also get cuts of real-world historical accounts of how President Lincoln grieved and handled the loss of his son. The essence of the novel can’t be captured in a few sentences, so honestly, you should read it and experience it for yourself!