By Jillian Walker
Reading. Every class, every homework assignment, and every late night spent studying for finals involves reading. While it’s some people’s favorite hobby, it’s others’ worst nightmare. “Ink printed on paper is lame”, some might say. “It’s so boring, what’s the point?”. There is no shortage of literary slander in a typical teenage community. But with the rise of social media trends like “book tok”, Pinterest book aesthetics, and [insert third thing here], reading has found its way back into our generation. Instead of being just a homework assignment, people have found communities and based friendships on this seemingly isolating activity. So whether you SparkNotes The Great Gatsby in 10th grade English or are working towards your Goodreads 2022 reading challenge, here are the top 10 books I think everyone should read in high school.
- Letters to my Daughter by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s Letters to my Daughter transcends genres. A mixture of memoir and poetry, Angelou’s writing teaches the reader how to live well, using the wisdom she has gained throughout her life. Beautifully eloquent, every word Angelou writes is perfectly placed, reminding you that you are loved, appreciated, and have space to grow through these next four years.
Read if: You want a book that feels like a warm hug.
- The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Isabel Allende is internationally renowned for her fantastical writing and deep themes of family, loss, and tradition. Her novel, The House of Spirits, captures the arch of a family’s historical trajectory. Her whimsical plots and enchanting diction are a perfect recipe for literary escapism. This book reminds us all how we can learn deep and valuable lessons from the most bizarre of adventures, and that books don’t need to be serious to be meaningful. Bonus points if you read it in Spanish.
Read if: You want to get lost in a book.
- Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okarofor
Nnedi Okorafor is a Nigerian-American author whose writing is emerging as a growing force for reshaping science fiction and fantasy that address themes of race, gender, colorism, and political power. Who Fears Death chronicles the coming of age of Onyesonwu Ubaid-Ogundimu as she embarks on an epic quest to discover her true voice and power. This book reminds us that strength comes in many forms, blending the past with the speculative future.
Read if: You want to cheer on a strong, female character who not only defies the odds but rewrites her own story.
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach, Russell Munson
A spiritual piece of literary fiction, Jonathan Livingston Seagull captures what it’s like to be weighed down for being different from others. Jonathan Livingston, a seagull, wants to fly instead of being held down by the expectations of others. Vacillating between chapters of writing and film photography of seagulls soaring, this seemingly child-like book will leave you in reflective tears but inspired to follow your dreams.
Read if: You want to cry, then think, then cry again.
- Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ryan Estrada, Ko Hyung-Ju
Banned Book Club is perfect for anyone who has ever said a graphic novel isn’t a real book. Following the true story of Kim Hyun Sook’s life in South Korea’s Fifth Republic, this graphic novel encapsulates the formidability of a totalitarian regime, and how literature will always persevere. An important message about the importance of banned books, this graphic novel will leave your rebellious spirit wanting more.
Read if: You like graphic novels and political messages.
- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie recounts his real-life experiences reconnecting with a college professor who teaches philosophy. Dying of ALS, Morrie Shwartz is the wisest man Albom had ever known. The author perfectly intertwines the importance of learning and philosophical thinking with accepting that life does come to an end. Tuesdays with Morrie is a beautiful book filled with moments of reflection, teaching all who read it that learning is the best way to connect us all.
Read if: You really want to cry, but have hope for the future.
- A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
Thoughtful, thought-provoking, and thoroughly entertaining, A Tale for the Time Being transports readers across time and place. It captures themes of love, loss, and redemption through the diary of a 16-year-old girl living in Tokyo and the Japanese-American writer living on an island near British Columbia who finds the young woman’s diary when it washes ashore after Japan’s 2011 tsunami.
Read if: You want to question everything and ultimately realize everything will be ok.
- Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
While YA romance may seem like a genre undeserving of praise, Lynn Painter’s Better Than the Movies is an enjoyable and quick read. Following Lix Buxbaum’s struggle to find a date for her Senior Prom, you’ll fall in love just as quickly as the characters do. A good example of a healthy relationship with a little bit of romantic magic, Better Than the Movies is the escapist rom-com of our dreams.
Read if: You want to be swept off your feet.
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
A book on every teenager’s to-be-read list, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is known as one of the most famous coming-of-age stories. While slightly over-advertised as a deeply emotional read everyone must experience, it’s famous for a reason. From character development to a beautifully tragic plot, Chbosky’s book captures the hardest parts of growing up.
Read if: You’re in the mood for a teen classic.
- Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
Didion’s collection of essays retelling her experiences in 1960s Hollywood are beautifully heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. While some essays may be outdated and not resonate as strongly with a younger audience, her journalistic style teaches us to observe the world around us.
Read if: You want to read a piece of nonfiction mastery and understand the world around you.
i like horror