Aneesha’s Spring Reading List
Stress, worries, and nervousness are all common aspects of a typical high schooler’s day. Especially with the approach of AP exams and finals, it can be difficult to find time to decompress and take a moment to relax. As a constant worrier and over-thinker myself, one of the only activities I can find solace and calm in nowadays is reading. Whether I am tackling a daunting piece of classic American literature or reading a simple collection of short stories, reading not only provides me with a soothing outlet from stress but also offers perspective on various issues or ideas. From classic bestsellers to underrated novels, the following list of book recommendations is filled with thought-provoking, powerful themes, as well as engaging storylines. It is my hope that these books not only give you a moment to decompress but make an impact on the way you view the world.
#1 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
I finished reading The Kite Runner over Thanksgiving break and I was absolutely blown away — not only by the gripping, intense plot but also by the delicate way Hosseini crafts his sentences. The Kite Runner tells the story of a wealthy young boy, Amir, and his inimitable friendship with the son of his father’s servant, Hassan in Afghanistan. Lovable, innocent Hassan greatly admires Amir, and the two grow up together like brothers. But when Amir witnesses a horrific event, their friendship may be threatened. Hosseini explores powerful themes of betrayal, coming-of-age, father-son relationships, and redemption, as well as touching on intense issues of rape, Taliban violence, caste systems in Afghanistan, and the displacement of refugees. Especially with the Taliban’s recent takeover of Afghanistan, I found it incredibly eye-opening to read such an authentic novel about Afghanistan’s culture and past. This book is certainly a must-read for young adults and I would highly recommend this unique, beautiful novel to anyone looking for a gripping page-turner! You can find an eBook copy of The Kite Runner from the KCLS Library here.
#2 Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I found out about Purple Hibiscus through a friend I met in a creative writing workshop with the School of the New York Times and I instantly fell in love with the storyline. Purple Hibiscus takes place in Enugu, Nigeria and centers around 15-year-old Kambili and her older brother Jaju, who lead a wealthy lifestyle and attend an exclusive missionary school. But as Kambili slowly reveals, their life is far from perfect. Although their Papa is well-respected in their community, at home he is authoritative and suffocating. When Enugu is overtaken by a military coup, Kambili and Jaju are sent to stay with their aunt outside of the city, where they discover a new sense of freedom, no longer limited by their father’s restrictions. Adichie’s portrayal of life in Nigeria depicts the richness of Nigeria’s culture while touching on issues of domestic abuse and familial hierarchy. This book will certainly make a lasting impact on you. You can find an eBook copy of Purple Hibiscus from the KCLS Library here.
#3 Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
It goes without saying that Joan Didion’s writing, primarily personal essays, is the epitome of transformative writing. Slouching Towards Bethlehem includes twenty personal essays depicting the vibrant culture of the United States, especially California, during the pivotal 1960s. Ranging from discussions on the counterculture in the Haight-Ashbury district in San Francisco to the life of folk singer Joan Baez, Didion covers a wide range of topics that encapsulate that terrifying yet crucial decade in American history. My favorite essay, Goodbye to All That, takes readers on Didion’s captivating journey of self-discovering as she moves from California to New York. These essays are truly must-reads. You can find an eBook copy of Slouching Towards Bethlehem from the KCLS library here.
#4 My Ántonia by Willa Cather
My Ántonia is a beautiful novel that takes place towards the end of the 19th century and is told from the perspective of orphan Jim Burden, who is brought to Nebraska to stay with his grandparents. In Nebraska, Jim meets Ántonia Shimerda, the eldest daughter of Bohemian immigrants that move in near the Burdens. As Ántonia struggles to adapt to pioneer life and deals with the hardships of her family’s poverty, she begins to spend more time with Jim. Cather really captures the beauty and struggles of life on the prairie through her vivid imagery and develops a heartwarming connection between Jim and Ántonia. As they come of age together, Jim and Ántonia continue to endure struggles, ranging from familial issues to job problems, yet their friendship remains constant. This was truly an enlightening read (thanks to Ringo for recommending/lending it to me!). You can find an eBook copy of My Ántonia from the KCLS Library here.
#5 Looking For Alaska by John Green
Deep, groundbreaking, and poignant are all apt descriptors of Looking For Alaska. Miles “Pudge” Halter, a shy rising high school junior, is ready to start afresh and seek what poet François Rabelais called the ‘Great Perhaps’ at Culver Creek, a boarding school in Alabama. Determined to live the typical high school experience, Pudge hopes to shed his previous label of being a ‘nobody.’ At Culver Creek, Pudge meets Alaska Young, a wild yet mysterious girl, who shares Pudge’s love for reading and exposes him to a wide array of people and experiences. As the school year progresses, Pudge becomes attached to Alaska and begins to slowly come out of his shell. Making new friends with shared interests, playing pranks on the overly pompous dean, and even beginning to develop a romantic life, Pudge finally feels that he has found the ‘Great Perhaps.’ But when an unexpected accident occurs, Pudge is left reeling with guilt and confusion. John Green covers such important themes here: forgiveness and forgetting, death, and the ‘labyrinth of suffering.’ The final pages of this novel contained such powerful words that they brought tears to my eyes. You can find an eBook copy of Looking For Alaska from the KCLS Library here.
#6 Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
This incredible collection of short stories takes place during the 1960s from the perspectives of various Indian immigrants settling into life in America and struggling to keep their Indian heritage a part of their American lives. Embracing the unity and authenticity of Indian and American culture, Lahiri’s stories range from an Indian American couple grieving the loss of their child to a newly immigrated college student navigating life at MIT, with the title story surrounding an Indian tour guide showing an American family around the homeland they have never seen. Grief, discovering a new sense of identity, and the complexity of familial relationships are all common themes in Lahiri’s works. I found myself hooked on this book, not only because of the personal and cultural resonance I felt but also because of the transformative story arc Lahiri captures within pages. This relevant book has certainly found a place on the bookshelf of necessary American literature. You can find an eBook copy of Interpreter of Maladies here.
Happy reading!!!
