Hello everyone! Today I am going to be looking through my bookshelf and picking out a few of my favorite reads to recommend to you! Reading is a perfect way to calm down after a long day while also educating yourself and bettering your vocabulary. It is the perfect escape from the stress of everyday life that everyone can enjoy. I try to make time for reading whenever I can: whether it be on my commute to school or right before I go to sleep. I am a huge fan of nonfiction and realistic fiction stories, but every once in a while I will indulge in a good fantasy novel or sci-fi tale. No matter what type of stories you prefer, I hope my book recommendations inspire you to relax and spend some time reading!
For my English class last semester, I had to complete a project on a book of our choosing, and I chose "The Virgin Suicides". I had seen the late-nineties film adaptation of the story and had loved it, so I decided to read the original. This is not the tale for the faint of heart or the sensitive because it deals with issues like suicide and violence. Told from the perspective of a group of neighborhood boys, it recalls the story of a strict household with five teenage girls and the suicide of the youngest sister. The tragedy of what follows after is written in this haunting book that leaves you just as curious and dumbfounded as the boys remembering their time spent with the girls. Unfortunately, I borrowed my copy, so I don't have a picture of it to share. However, you should be able to easily find it at your nearest bookstore.
My next recommendation is a novel entitled "The Goldfinch". It is a lengthy read for someone like me, but after only a few pages I was hooked. It tells the tale of a young teen who looses his mother in an accident. He is taken in by a wealthy family, and grasps onto a small painting that reminds him of his mother. What follows his tragic loss is documented in this Pulitzer Prize winning novel that everyone should read.
Next, I want to recommend a poetry book for young women. "Milk and Honey" by Rupi Kaur tells a story of her falling in love, heartbreak, and eventual recovery through eerily breathtaking poetry. It is an empowering read for any woman and perfectly represents the feelings of a breakup. I personally love the last section, titled "the healing", because it promotes the beauty of self-love and independence that every human needs.
I have mentioned "Mountains Beyond Mountains" on my blog before, but it is such an incredible nonfiction story that I must recommend it again. It follows the work of Dr. Paul Farmer, a man who came from humble beginnings and worked his way to Harvard Medical School. He began using his medical training to help the poverty-stricken citizens of our world, particularly in Haiti. His main philosophy, "the only real nation is humanity", is shown through his dedication to help the poor. This story is an inspiring tale that makes me want to get involved in our world and take part in the movement to help those in underprivileged countries.
Do you have any favorite books? Tell me on Instagram!
XOXO,
Sadie
