1. The Crucible by Arthur Miller – I’ve seen this title thrown around the news on a regular basis. Since the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh, many question attitudes of accusers and the accused. John Proctor’s battle with witchcraft and adultery in his own home is a very interesting conflict of he said, she said, so it’s a good story to look at in this environment. The final scene is moving, and it makes you think about what name and standing in society means to you.
2. 1984 by George Orwell – This is a no-brainer. As we become more adept with technology, we become less acclimated to privacy. Plus, chances are, you read this when you were too young to really understand it. Pull that book off your shelf and give it another go.
3. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood – This book was published in 1985. Atwood tells a tale of a frightening battle of church versus state. Revisiting this story will make you very uncomfortable when Atwood acknowledges customs that, when twisted, can make anyone rethink things. Also, the Hulu adaptation is a startling revelation, and the music selection and simple direction would turn anyone’s stomach.
4. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – A friend of mine recommended this book to me and told me that the characters stuck with her. These characters are incredibly real. You see a relevant issue from many points of view. We should disregard opinions of violence and police brutality before picking up this young adult novel. This is a story about young people struggling with issues that too many must cope with.
5. The Book Of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir – I got this for my birthday, and I was so excited for this novel. The cover originally drew me in, but the story is so incredibly dark and real. Essie is a member of a family of six children. When she is 17, her mother discovers her to be pregnant, but her family is the star of a famous show based around their lives. Simply put, they cannot have her pregnancy. This story takes the reader through a wild ride of publicity, modern media and public opinion. The life of reality television star is insight I didn’t know I needed.
6. An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green – Admittedly, I haven’t finished this one yet. It’s a very new book. John Green’s younger brother Hank wrote his debut novel about a young girl who finds something that turns her whole world upside down. This story comments on many themes similar to The Book of Essie. It makes you think about people who are thrown into fame. It makes you think about the way certain events may go viral in the news. Furthermore, it reminds you that there are things hidden under the viral news.