Like most tweens growing up in the early 2010s, my early adolescence was marked by my intense love for reading. I was obsessed with the “Percy Jackson” series, “The Hunger Games” and other dystopian young-adult novels. However, as I grew older, I slowly began to read less and less. Life became busier, and I always decided to prioritize school work, the gym and my social life over reading. As I grew older and eventually came to college, my love for reading diminished further as I was now spending the majority of my time reading dense scholarly articles that often took me hours to complete. However, this year I made it a priority to make more time to read than I have in the past. Having experienced a four-year reading slump, I am in a unique position to recommend books that I am sure will help anyone who is currently struggling to find joy in reading. Below is a list of books that I’m sure will make you excited to start reading again.
1. “I’m Glad My Mom Died” (2022)
“I’m Glad My Mom Died” is a memoir that follows the life of former actress and singer Jennette McCurdy. The book is about her career as a child actress and her difficult relationship with her abusive mother who died of cancer in 2013. The book follows McCurdy from her childhood to adulthood and looks into the life of child stardom. I did not read “I’m Glad My Mom Died” in the traditional sense on paper; instead, I decided to listen to McCurdy’s narration of the story through an audiobook. Choosing an audiobook format made the story even more emotional, as McCurdy adds a certain rawness through her narration. The book is written in easy-to-understand language and has fairly short chapters. It is a quick-paced story that will keep you engaged until the very last page.
Content Warnings: Death, Disordered Eating, Abusive Relationships, Alcohol Dependency
2. “The Charm Offensive” (2021)
If you are unsure about reading a memoir but know you would enjoy a true romance novel, I have the perfect book for you! “The Charm Offensive” by Alison Cocrun follows Dev, a producer on a reality dating show, and Charlie, the lead bachelor looking to find love on said reality TV show. However, as Dev and Charlie connect throughout the filming of the show, they realize they might have a bigger chance of finding love with each other than on an ultra-produced reality show. “The Charm Offensive” is a lighthearted read that manages to tackle important topics such as queer romantic visibility and mental health struggles. “The Charm Offensive” is everything that a good romance book should strive to be.
Content Warnings: On-page panic attacks, experiences with depression and discussions of alcohol dependency
3. “Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” (2022)
If you dislike memoirs or romance, might I suggest the best literary fiction book I’ve read this year? “Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin follows the story of two college friends-Sam and Sadie–who meet as children and eventually become world-renowned video game developers and creative partners. The story spans from childhood to adulthood and discusses important issues such as the nature of identity, disability, failure and our desire to love and be loved. Zevin does a great job creating a world that feels real and immersive. Zevin’s unique writing style allowed me to connect with these characters so deeply that I was genuinely sad when the story ended. If you’re interested in reading a book that will make you wish you could read it again for the first time, look no further than “Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.”
Content Warnings: Gun violence, death, grief, homophobia, mentions of abortion and suicide
If you’re anything like me, I know it might seem daunting to pick up a book again after going so long without reading for fun. However, I can assure you that these books are great and will keep you entertained until the very last page.