This list features a selection of award winning books worth reading
Reading books whisks the reader away from reality and into the world between the covers. From fiction to memoirs, there is a vast variety of literature to choose from. This book recommendation list will aid in narrowing the decision of your next read.
Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens: This murder mystery novel published in 2018 was recommended by Darby Mussehl ‘26. Musshel said,”Usually, this isn’t a book I would choose, but, like after reading the summary, I like, found it really interesting, and like, once I kept reading it, I couldn’t put it down.” Main character Kya lives on her own in marshy wetlands, providing for herself throughout her life. Venturing out of her home and finding love, she is then caught in the muder investigation of her deceased lover, with all fingers pointing to her. Mussehl said, “It was just, like, really entertaining. I’d recommend it for anybody.”
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine: Mockingbird was awarded the 2010 U.S. National Book for Young People’s Literature. This novel follows ten year old Caitlin Smith in the wake of losing her brother by violence. Caitlin Smith has Asperger’s Syndrome, making coping with the loss difficult. Through the book, Caitlin connects with people in her community, learning about empathy and closure while on the road to healing. This book is a captivating read, not only due to the memorable characters portrayed, but also due to the raw emotion it provokes through tragic school violence that also plagues our society.
1984 by George Orwell: To readers who enjoy dystopian novels, this is for you. 1984 was recommended by Diego Romo ‘27. This futuristic set book follows protagonist Winston Smith living in a turbulent totalitarian world marred by sociopolitical turmoil. Smith’s rebellious personality and life choices leaves him in the hands of the brutal government that ends with painful consequences. Romo said, “It is a great example of like real life connections in the real world and how governments slowly take power and how they control us.”
Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman: This 2007 coming-of-age article was recommended by Peyton Bailey ‘27 who said, “Call Me by Your Name, a novel by Andre Aciman, tells the story of a 17 year-old boy Elio spending his summer in 1980s Northern Italy.” This novel follows main character Elio, an intelligent young man and scholar Oliver through their blossoming summer romance, and through the decades that follow when Oliver returns to America. Bailey said, “I recommend this book because it discusses raw emotion in a poetic manner and is beautifully written.”
Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits by Jason Pargin: This title was recommended by Maxwell Thomas ‘27. To mention, the book falls in the futuristic science fiction genre. Protagonist Zoey Ashe is the heir to a tremendous fortune and a threatening legacy. She must navigate villains and peril in a corrupt and lawless environment. Themes of surveillance, wealth and technology are written in an action packed read. Maxwell said, “I recommend this book because it’s a modern satirical novel that satirizes a lot of American capitalism and consumerism […] and I found it a humorous book, and I just, it was a fun read.”
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo: The newest book on this list is one of the most enjoyable reads someone could find. Lo writes a story portraying Lily Hu living in San Francisco’s Chinatown during 1954. The daughter of Chinese Immigrants, Lily confronts the journey of identity, sexuality and societal norms throughout the book. After she meets and connects with a fellow young woman named Kath in her high school class, she navigates her relationship with pressures and from family and society swirling around her life. This novel takes the reader to the streets of San Francisco and into Lily Hu’s world, that is what makes this book draw the reader in perfectly.
