By Ella Napton
Recently I have picked up reading for fun again–something I said goodbye to around ninth grade for various reasons. I didn’t have time. I didn’t have energy. And I didn’t even know where to start. But this semester I had the opportunity to take a Young Adult Literature course that has reintroduced me to reading for fun and to a variety of great titles to read. Below are some of my favorite titles as of late, from class and from my personal reading:
1. The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon
This book follows one singular day of two characters: Daniel and Natasha as they spend the day together. It is a modern love story (in my opinion) that tackles hot-ticket societal topics such as immigration, deportation, and racial tension.
2. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
You have probably heard of this book, and I am certain that it is on almost any “must read” lists after its publication date, but I can’t leave it off this list. It follows the main character’s, Starr’s, journey post-seeing her childhood best friend shot by a police officer and the dissonance between her life at home and life at school.
3. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L Sanchez
This book has got it all: LGBTQ+ characters, immigration, mental health discussion, and grieving death among many other things. It does take a little bit to get in to but is certainly worth the read if only for the story. It follows life for the main character–Julia–after her sister dies in a freak bus accident and how she finds her identity in life without her sister.
4. Becoming by Michelle Obama
Y’all, I cannot deal with how good this book is. And I highly suggest that you listen to the audiobook version of it. Why? Because Michelle Obama herself reads it to you. I have learned so much from this book about life, love, and post-college careers. And it is all from the most reputable source, in my opinion. The novel is a memoir written by Michelle Obama and outlines how she came to be where she is today.
5. Boy Meets Boy by David Leviathan
This book follows the life of Paul–a gay student in high school–navigating the trials and tribulations of a normal high school student. And that is what makes it such a gorgeous book–Paul’s narrative is not centered around his being gay, unlike many other LGBTQ+ comings of age novels.