I have very distant memories of loving to read. On a rainy day in second grade, I’d hide away in a corner of the library with a good book during my recess. My meager half-hour of free time spent reading. Sometimes I’d even finish a book; I can’t imagine doing that in one sitting now. Sure, the books were never very literary (my go-to’s were Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the Pretty Little Liars series), but it was reading nonetheless.
I’m sure a lot of people have experiences like this. So when did reading books feel more like a chore than a wonderful escape from reality? The answer lies somewhere in scribbled annotations in the margins and an English paper due at midnight.
Maybe even more than we remember the days of childhood reading, we remember the horrors of assigned reading. I’m an English major and I even get vivid nightmares of reading certain books. For me, it was all 575 pages (okay, I read like three chapters, but in theory) of The Power of One in my sophomore year of high school.
School has a way of disconnecting people from their love of literature. Books written by million-year-old white guys are alienating and purposefully make us feel less than for not understanding. To combat this problem, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite reads that don’t make us feel stupid when we read them.
- “To All The Boys I Loved Before” by Jenny Han
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Before there was Lana Condor and Noah Centineo (and his famous quote “it’s not about what you’ve done, but what you do with what you’ve done…for others”) starring on screen together, there was Jenny Han’s series. If you’ve seen the movies, you know the basic plot. If not, it’s essentially this:
Peter Kavinsky is a popular rugby player who is dating equally popular Gen. Lara Jean is a shy, Korean–American girl who loves romance, her family, and baking. Throughout her life, Lara Jean has been in love with five people. Each time she falls in love, she writes a letter, seals it, and pops it in her desk never to be seen again. That is until her younger sister Kitty sends the letters out of revenge. Peter receives a letter (along with several other major figures in Lara Jean’s life), and devises a plan to get back at his now ex, Gen.
The two begin fake dating and chaos (as well as romance) ensues.
I flew through this three-book series last summer, with the release of the first movie. The books are easy to read and Lara Jean is a refreshing character in the world of YA romance. Besides the ever tumultuous relationship between Lara Jean and Peter, we get to see her powerful relationship with her two sisters, as well as watch her father navigate single fatherhood after the death of their mother.
The YA genre is largely dominated by white women, but Jenny Han lets her unique perspective shine through. Lara Jean is a proud Asian American and it’s fun to see her embrace her culture and honor her mother through family traditions.
This book is a great read for anyone who’s looking for a relaxing read about high school romance, but also identity and family relationships.
- “In the Woods” by Tana French
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Now to take a complete 180, here’s my favorite murder mystery: In the Woods. Part of the Irish Murder Squad series, this book is the first in a long line of compelling tales of bleak and intriguing crimes.
The book follows Rob, a detective, and his partner Cassie as they investigate the troubling murder of a twelve-year-old girl. Delving further into the case, Rob (known as a child as Adam) remembers some disturbing events from his own past that occurred in the same woods he’s investigating now.
As the detectives plunge deeper and deeper into the case, they explore the tense political world of Ireland as well as relive the dark past of Rob’s childhood. The novel has twists and turns up until the final chapter.
I love this book because it immerses you fully in the world of the detectives. Complete with the culture of a remote town in Ireland, it feels like author Tana French has an intimate knowledge of the socio-political world and justice system she’s diving into. The entire time I was reading, I totally bought into the world she had created for me. Somehow the (intentionally) unlikable characters and untrustworthy narrator worked to keep me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
- “Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood
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Okay, technically I read this one for school, but I promise it didn’t feel like it.
Set in a dystopian reality, the main character Snowman reflects on the days before the end of the world while he attempts to survive. He recalls his childhood––a mother who was completely disillusioned by the exploitive work of the company she worked for and a father who completely bought into the madness.
As Snowman (then Jimmy) grows up, he is accompanied by his best friend, Crake. Together, the two navigate the changing world, sometimes not appearing to be heroes we wish they would be. Along the way, they make some questionable choices and grapple with the politics of the world they live in.
And then the world ends.
I won’t spoil too much for you, but as somebody who doesn’t normally go for sci-fi, this book is a total page-turner. As we get closer and closer to the end of the world, author Margaret Atwood drops hints about how it all went wrong. The book starts with the end and slowly works its way toward the middle, dragging you along for a suspenseful journey along the way.
- “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah
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This is hands down one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Written by the host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah tells stories of his childhood––ranging from harrowing tales of growing up mixed during South African Apartheid, to funny stories about his dog.
Trevor Noah manages to keep his comedic voice while making some clever and well-thought-out commentary on the political situation in his home country of South Africa. Through stories of Noah as a young boy, we learn about his mother and his culture, two incredibly important factors in his upbringing.
If you’ve seen The Daily Show, you know Noah’s style. He’s punchy and quick-witted and can make fun of just about anything. I wasn’t expecting the level of comedy that transferred into his memoir, but I almost found it more effective than his other work. Through the written word, we can hear Noah’s distinct voice, love for his family, and his humor.
Though this book is nonfiction, it keeps you interested the whole time. Noah never loses his sense of humor, and I had this book read in a matter of days.
On my list:
- “Caging Skies” by Christine Luenens
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This book was the inspiration for the recent film, Jojo Rabbit. Telling the story of a ten-year-old boy in Nazi Germany, Johannes is obsessed with all things Nazi. With the help of his imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler, Johannes (Jojo) navigates life and being a young Nazi. That is until he discovers that his parents have hidden away a young Jewish girl living in the walls of their home.
With life flipped on its head for Jojo, he must reconsider his political leanings and his view of other people.
All I can say is if it’s anything like the movie, I’m in.
- “You Failed Us” by Azure Savage
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This week, I had the privilege of high school senior and author, Azure Savage speak at an event on campus. At only 17, Savage’s book takes a look at racism within the Seattle school system from the perspective of young people of color. Azure Savage is a trans, black boy navigating systems of racism and trans-misogyny. From the chapter he read aloud at the event, his perspective is both mature and down to earth.
When Savage was asked why he chose to write the book, he responded with a Toni Morrison quote:
“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
It’s time for the general public to reclaim reading. Especially for people who have finally escaped the education system, reading should be about enjoyment––discovering new worlds and other perspectives––not about locating themes and dissecting symbols. Like movies or tv, books can be a form of escapism and serve as a portal to an entirely new dimension.
This is a list of just a few simple books that will help you get back into the headspace to read once again. Forget about the world around you and dive into the worlds of these authors––from high school drama to murder mystery.