For those of you who love to read, March 5 is World Book Day! Hopefully we can all spend some time indulging in our favorite books, but for anyone who is out of stories to read, I’ve created a list of some of my favorites from various genres. The list spans from a memoir discussing sexual assault to a satirical comedy that parodies Lord of the Flies, so hopefully there is enough variety to find a book that interests you. Don’t be afraid to branch out and try new books, either―World Book Day is a great opportunity to expand your reading horizons. Have fun trying out some of my book selections, and happy reading!
Memoir: Know My Name by Chanel Miller
Know My Name is an incredibly emotional story written by Chanel Miller, the sexual assault victim of Brock Turner, who was the so-called “Stanford Swimmer” of 2015. Through her beautiful and expressive writing style, Miller tells the story of her assault and subsequent year-long court case in which she was harassed by the opposing attorneys and attacked by the media for “harming Turner’s reputation.” Miller describes the toxicity of victimhood and the injustices of the American Court System, and reflects on how her traumatic experiences made invisible but lasting repercussions on her well-being and mental health. This memoir was my favorite book of 2020, and I truly think everyone else should read it―not only does this book explore a very serious and important issue in our society, but it is also skillfully written, with so much emotion. Miller is an exceptionally talented writer, and everyone should read her memoir simply for the beauty of her words.
Fantasy: The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
If you are looking for a fantasy trilogy that strays from the all-too-common Western tropes and worldbuilding, then I highly recommend The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. The fantasy world in this series is masterfully crafted to reflect aspects of Chinese history, culture, and geography, while also incorporating a unique magic system that adds even more to the story. Everything about this series is perfect: the plot is complex and exciting, the worldbuilding is unique, and the characters are endearing and extremely authentic, with real flaws that make them all the more compelling. Some of the major conflicts in The Poppy War also mirror real events in Chinese history, such as the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Opium Wars. Suffering and violence from conflicts like these is reflected in Kuang’s writing through major themes of pain and brutality. The Poppy War is a dark fantasy, with many horrifically violent scenes throughout the series, so I would not recommend it to those who are sensitive to such themes. However, for those who do like more violent books―this is one of my favorite series of all time, and you should definitely give it a try!
Mystery: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Although this book was first published over sixty years ago, it has remained one of the best mystery novels ever written. Agatha Christie was one of the best-selling authors of her time, and her books continue to be popular, especially And Then There Were None. The story begins when ten strangers are invited by a mysterious, shared acquaintance to stay on a secluded island off the English coast. Within the first four chapters, one of the visitors has been murdered, and a storm imprisons the remaining nine on the island with no means of escape. This book is the original “We’re all trapped here, and one of us is the murderer!” story, and it is a grim but riveting tale full of suspense. The abundance of plot twists and red herrings throughout the book keep readers from discovering the murderer until the very end. The point of view shifts between all the characters, and without the narration of a reliable protagonist, it is very difficult to predict who is going to live and who will die. This story is especially unique because the characters are picked off one by one according to an old nursery rhyme, which adds even more intrigue to the story as readers must try to figure out how the murderer will execute the next death described in the rhyme. For any mystery fans out there who haven’t picked this book up yet, what are you waiting for? It’s the perfect read if you want a fast-paced, thrilling mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Satire/Humor: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
I highly recommend reading Beauty Queens by Libba Bray if you are looking for a quick, easy read full of hilarious absurdity and endearing characters. This book is a satire that reflects the world that we young people are growing up in, filled with reality TV, corporate sponsorship, and beauty obsession. In fact, the main characters of this book are teenage beauty pageant contestants―whose plane has crashed on a deserted island. Instead of competing in a beauty competition, which is what they’ve been groomed for their entire adolescent lives, these young women find themselves in a struggle for survival as they face living in the wilderness. In many ways, this book can be interpreted as a parody of Lord of The Flies by William Golding, but Beauty Queens has the added perks of a hidden conspiracy, an international relations disaster, and even shipwrecked pirates. Although the characters may seem very stereotypical at first, Bray success- fully subverts the beauty queen cliché in her book and creates developed, complex characters that feel like real girls with genuine struggles. The plot and setting of this book are absurd, butthe characters still engage in honest conversations with each other about parental pressure, sexuality, and identity. Despite the comedic and satirical nature of the book, it manages to explore important themes, which is what makes it such a compelling and unique book that many people would enjoy reading.
Young Adult LGBT Romance: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Just a disclaimer: if you don’t want to cry your eyes out, then I advise you not to pick up this book. However, if you’re fine with having your heart ripped out of your chest, then you should read They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera. The story is set in a world where death is forecast a day in advance. Mateo and Rufus, two teenage boys predicted to die on the same day, end up meeting each other to spend their last day together. As they try to live an entire lifetime in twenty-four hours, the two become friends and then start to fall in love. Although readers are warned from the very beginning that Mateo and Rufus are destined to die, it does not prevent us from falling in love with the characters and their relationship and then being devastated when they both meet their end. The beauty of this story is that, at heart, it is not about death and sorrow. It is about Mateo and Rufus trying to live in the moment and enjoy life while they still can, despite the hopelessness that they feel at many points. It reminds readers to live every day to the fullest, no matter the circumstances, which is an ever-important lesson that many people should learn. Regardless of the devastating ending, I highly recommend this book. It is such a beautiful story about friendship, love, and life, and I think many people might need it right now to be reminded how important it is to live.