A FEW BOOKS THAT HIGH SCHOOLERS SHOULD READ

I recognize that for many high school students, reading can be a hassle. We are constantly assigned to read dull textbooks, ancient novels, and flavorless poems that we would never, in our sane minds, read in our free time. And, it is because we have been exposed to such uninteresting books that we have lost all interest in reading at all. The problem with this is that we are truly missing out, for there is an endless variety of books that can so greatly appeal to teenagers. Whether its romance, sci-fi, or a classic mystery, books provide us with the opportunity to live and experience adventures and accounts unique to those we actually experience in real life. And so, it is on this note that I have decided to create a list of novels I have read over the past few months, that I highly recommend to all teens. Whether you enjoy a novel that pulls at your heartstrings, or one that keeps you clinging to your chair with suspense, I am sure there is a book on this list that you will most definitely enjoy:

1.Deception Point by Dan Brown: If you aren’t familiar with Dan Brown, he’s the beyond-brilliant man that wrote the best-seller and blockbuster phenomenon The Da Vinci Code. Written with the same flare and intensity as all of his other novels, Dan Brown’s Deception Point tells the fast-paced tale of how Rachel Sexton’s world turns upside down when she’s caught between a complicated, life-threatening situation with NASA and the U.S. Government. Through the combination of politics, humor, and a whole lot of suspense, this book will definitely keep you holding onto your seat.

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: If you’re a sucker for classic novels and old-fashioned language, this is definitely the book for you. Jane Austen tells the story of the Bennet’s, a family of five young women, and their experiences searching for the proper husband to spend the rest of their lives with. Although the novel may seem archaic and outdated because of the nature in which it is written, the plot and complicated romances are quite similar to romantic situations that can occur today. In my personal opinion, that’s what makes the book so special.

3. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera: If your into philosophy, and are willing to ponder over what it means to be human, then you’ll love this book. Kundera tells the tale of two couples and how their lives intertwine throughout time, and incorporates history and philosophy throughout the novel. Although a bit too erotic at times, the book emits a really powerful message of what it means to be living lightly, and how heaviness isn’t always as bad as it may seem.

4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: Hands down one of my favorite books of all time. Through the combination of unique characters, a powerful historical context, and a peculiar yet utterly intriguing narrator, Zusak absolutely nailed this novel of how one young girl survives the Holocaust. Although the book may seem a bit long, I promise you’ll never want to put it down.