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Reading has always been something I looked forward to. But as my time in school goes on, I find myself in a constant reading slump. These books have not only helped me get back on my reading grind, but they’ve also completely changed how I view the world around me.
1. Atmosphere
By Taylor Jenkins Reid
To start, we have Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. She is one of my all-time favorite authors, and this book did not disappoint. Our main character, Joan Goodwin, finds herself longing for the stars. Set in the 1980s, the story follows Joan as she trains to become a part of NASA’s astronaut program. Throughout her journey, she is met with family disagreements, love, and resilience.
Without giving too much away, the book had me bawling my eyes out! The author did a wonderful job portraying what it’s like to love from a distance. The little lessons about being yourself and chasing your dreams are huge takeaways within this book. I 1000% recommend this book to everyone. It won’t disappoint!
2. Rookie: My Public, Private, and Secret Life
By Joshua Bassett
Let me start by saying I was a bit apprehensive about picking up this book. I mean, it is an autobiography about a child actor; his life is vastly different from mine. But reading this book truly opened my eyes to how I see the world.
The format of this book is very unique. It’s almost like a diary of poems, songs, and letters to the reader. Joshua does a fantastic job of weaving the audience into his own experiences, making it feel like he’s talking to you directly. One of my favorite quotes is “The consumer is a thermometer; the artist a thermostat. Are you taking the temperature or changing it?”
But there is so much more to this book. He dives into topics most people don’t acknowledge like PTSD, mental health, identity, and so much more. Reading this as a 20-year-old was definitely the right choice. Now, that isn’t to say if you’re older you won’t find key lessons within the pages, but as someone who is about the same age as the author, I feel as if we are learning together. This was definitely a 5-star read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to explore more in life.
3. Tender is the flesh
By Agustina Bazterrica
I have read this book twice now, and each time the ending leaves me with my mouth agape. It looks closely at a post-apocalyptic world where a virus contaminated all animal meat. So, humans turned to cannibalism.
At first, the idea of cannibalism might be a little jarring, but the author does an amazing job creating our main character, Marcos. The challenges he faces, both physically and mentally, will keep you on the edge of your seat.
By the time you read the last chapter, everything you thought you knew is thrown completely out the window. It truly makes you think about the world we live in today.
If you loved Bunny by Mona Awad, The Lamb by Lucy Rose, and I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, this book is a must-read!
4. A little Life
By Hanya Yanagihara
This book is definitely problematic. Some people love it and others HATE it. Personally, I love it! I would highly recommend looking into this book more than this article just to make sure it is for you. It goes deep into trauma and the bonds that come with it.
I built a connection with each roommate and couldn’t wait to see how their lives changed and grew throughout the story. Although the start was slow, I trusted the process and I am so glad I did. I genuinely think about this book daily; how hard the characters had it, how Jude deserved better, and how art affects who we are.
It made me think about life and what it means to keep living. It is very graphic, but that’s what makes it that much more real. It will break you over and over again, and to me, that’s what makes a book good. A truly great book is able to discuss the hard topics, draw out raw emotions, and write something that your audience connects to. I absolutely recommend this book, but be ready for heartbreak.
5. We’ll Perscribe You a Cat
By Syou Ishida
This book takes place in Kyoto, Japan, where a little clinic can be found only by those who truly need help. The clinic acts as a blessing in disguise, especially for the main characters, while the story goes in depth about the bond between humans and their pets. With six different characters’ stories throughout the pages, you’ll see just how much cats can help the lives of their owners.
Overall, it will leave you feeling warm and hopeful. This is a total must-read no matter what, but especially if you own cats. It is a wholesome read that is truly a love letter to cats and humanity.
Reading is an escape for most. It lets your creativity run wild. However, it isn’t always easy. I hope you found some books here today that inspire you to pick one up. If you are having a hard time getting out of a reading slump, try one of these picks. If that doesn’t work, be sure to check out this article 5 Tips to Break Out of a Reading Slump. For more of our articles, be sure to check out FIU | Her Campus