Find Your Next Read
Students give some book recommendations for others to read
December 18, 2018
Settling down in a comfy chair cuddled in a warm blanket with a cup of tea getting ready to crack open a new book is satisfying feeling that everyone should get to enjoy. But finding a book to read can sometimes be harder than reading the book itself. After finishing an amazing novel or series it can be hard to find something that can compare. Or for the students who are not normally a fan of books, finding something interesting enough to take the time to read can be difficult.
Reading to some can seem like a chore because of all the school work that comes with it, but that doesn’t always need to be the case. Reading can also be an escape from other things that are happening in your life and an inexpensive one at that. When most people need an escape from the world they look towards taking a vacation, but reading can be done anywhere and doesn’t have to cost anything. With the new increase in audiobooks and ebooks it is easy to read or listen to a book for free. By downloading the book onto a kindle or phone it is accessible anywhere.
This can also be helpful if not enough time is the excuse for not reading. An audiobook can be listened to when getting ready, driving, or doing chores at home. It is an easy way to squeeze in a good book without neglecting any of the other pressing matters of the day.
Below are some recommendations from students that can help jumpstart the reading spirit based on genre:
Historical Fiction:
Historical Fiction novels are great for taking a look back in time. While the stories are fiction, the setting is described and viewed as it was in that time period. Junior Dessa Outman recommends the novel “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah. The story follows two sisters in France during World War II, and their struggles to survive and resist the Germans colonizing their country.
“This novel really shows the capacity of love between sisters,” Outman said.
Romance:
For the lovers of a good, sometimes cheesy, romance this genre is perfect. Sophomore Irem Inan recommends the well known book “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han. For those who do not know, the story follows Lara Jean after her secret love letters are sent out and she has to deal with her past crushes knowing how she felt.
“I love the prose and the character development,” Inan said.
Fantasy:
Fantasy novels escape the limits of the real world with by presence of magical powers, talking creatures, or anything else outside the rules of reality. In this genre, junior Maggie Merz recommends “Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas. This book is the first in a series that follows Celaena Sardothien, a teenage assassin, who is trying to win back her freedom from a tyrant king.
“Through the series you get this whole journey and adventure,” Merz said.
A series Merz is looking forward to reading is the new “Dreamer” trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater which is a sequel to the well known “Raven Cycle” Series that is about a quartet of teens that go on a quest to find ancient magic in the mountains.
Sci-Fi:
This genre is very similar to fantasy and the two normally are grouped together. Sci-Fi normally focuses more on imaginative concepts in science such as space travel, inventions, and futuristic life. A series that comes highly recommended is the “Illuminae” series by Amie Kaufman. It takes place in the year 2575 as two rival corporations are fighting over a planet used for mining. The inhabitants are forced to leave on a ship, while on board a deadly virus starts to spread and the AI who is programmed to protect them could end up destroying them.
Another series that is well known is “The Lunar Chronicles” by Marissa Meyer. The series is a dystopian, science fiction reimagining of some of the most well known fairy tales.
“The finale of ‘The Lunar Chronicles,’ ‘Winter,’ is the perfect end to an amazing series. Some authors don’t finish a series right, but she did,” Inan said.
Mystery:
Mystery novels involve the protagonist striving to solve a crime or trying to figure out how/why a mysterious event happened. A highly rated book in this genre is “One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus. The book tells the story how five teenagers walk into detention and only four come out.
Realistic Fiction:
Realistic fiction consists of novels that have imaginary characters going through normal life struggles such as finding themselves and finding a balance for everything in their life. Sophomore Brooke Huffman recommends “Looking for Alaska” by John Green. The story Mile Halter as he leaves to attend a boarding school in search of a dying poet.
“The book doesn’t sugar-coat things, it is gritty and real. It contains complex characters and portrays very real events,” Huffman said.
A novel that Outman is looking forward to in this genre is “Again, but Better” by Christine Riccio which is set to be released in May 2019. The story follows Shane as she tries to do things outside of her comfort zone and really enjoy the college experience.
These are only a few of the amazing novels to read at the school or county library. To help encourage students to read even more the library is hoping to add a new reading space. They are going to redo the office in the library by taking out the windows and inserting a doorway into a comfy, quiet reading space.
“This is hopefully going to be an additional student space to lounge and it will have bookshelves in it,” librarian Ms. Oliva said.
Another project that is in the works is transforming the computer lab into an innovation space.
“Those are both projects that we are currently working on. All we are waiting on is the district and the funding to make this possible, but those are our long term plans,” Oliva said.
With all these great books to read and a new possible space to do it in hopefully students will find something to enjoy. Happy reading!
Here are some blogs or websites that can also help to find an interesting read:
http://www.plotdrivenlife.com/
