Ten Books Worth Reading

The other day, I was reflecting on my less than stellar junior high years. I remembered that, as a middle schooler, I had a mild obsession with ranking my endless stream of crushes in a top ten list. Thankfully, along with my metal mouth and training bra, those days are in the past. However, my fetish for ranking things has remained, and I've recently enjoyed compiling lists of movies, celebrities, and colleges, among other things. For the purposes of this blog, I thought it'd be worthwhile to narrow my numerous favorite books down to a top ten list that I'd share with all of you. So here goes.

1. Looking for Alaska by John Green

Looking for Alaska is the perfect blend of vivid, believable characters and a captivating storyline. The novel perfectly portrays the trials and tribulations of adolescence in a fresh yet relatable way. From the first few pages on, you can't help but root for the flawed yet lovable Miles Halter, and as Miles falls for the dangerously beautiful Alaska Young, you find yourself falling in love with her along with him. By the end of Miles's whirlwind story, I was left unbelievably heartbroken, but at the same time, surprisingly satisfied. I'd give Looking for Alaska five stars without a doubt.

2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

There's a reason The Perks of Being a Wallflower has generated an almost cult-like following. The novel manages to address sensitive subjects such as homosexuality, introversion, and sexual abuse so tenderly, so poignantly that every member of its wide spectrum of readers comes away profoundly affected. The narrator, Charlie, shares his thoughts and feelings at such an honest, intimate level that an attachment to him naturally emerges while reading. I can attest to the fact that it's difficult to put down.

3. Beloved by Toni Morrison

I'll admit that last year, when we read Beloved in English class, my classmates generally had very mixed feelings about the novel. Its storyline and themes are certainly complex, and I can understand why some readers would struggle to connect to the characters and ideas Morrison introduces. At the same time, the writing is so brilliantly crafted that it became one of my favorite books. Beloved demonstrates that Morrison is a fearless author who doesn't shy from unconventional structures and concepts. As long as you're willing to go into it with an open mind, I'm confident that any reader can enjoy the colorful experience of reading Beloved.

4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help is everything a book should be-- vibrant, stirring, hopeful, and humorous. The technique Stockett implements of alternating viewpoints enables several distinct voices to be represented, which undoubtedly adds to the depth of the novel. It's the kind of book that you can simultaneously enjoy and learn from. I'd highly recommend it.

5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

With a title like "The Book Thief", I knew this story had to be a good one. Turns out I was right. The Book Thief paints a stunning portrait of WWII era Germany, complete with three-dimensional characters and shocking plot twists. Perhaps most interesting is the fact that the book is narrated by Death itself. If that doesn't intrigue you, I don't know what will.

6. Little Bee by Chris Cleave

For a complete review of Little Bee, check out my previous blog post here.

7. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

I've always hated war stories. I can do without the blood, the violence, the rawness, the death. So naturally, I was not expecting to enjoy a single bit of The Things They Carried, a compilation of short stories about soldiers' experiences during the Vietnam War. Yet it became one of my absolute favorite books due to O'Brien's impeccable way of identifying the humanness of war.

8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games has a little bit of everything-- adventure, fantasy, suspense, romance...the list goes on and on. The world Collins created is the most enticing element of the story, as she fully manges to transport the reader to another time and place. I'd recommend The Hunger Games for anyone with an ounce of imagination.

9. Paper Towns by John Green

John Green makes my list a second time for yet another masterpiece. The appeal of Paper Towns is similar to that of Looking for Alaska, but not so much so that they're not both worth reading. Paper Towns comes with its own cast of richly developed characters and compelling plot. It's a great read for any young adult.

10. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak is an award-winning bestseller centered on a teenage girl who is faced with a traumatic experience and slowly silences herself because of it. It's a book about the importance of sharing your voice and the danger of losing it. Definitely worth reading.

I hope at least some of these recommendations are helpful. If any of you feel like sharing your favorite books, I'd love to hear them!