Book Recommendations From an English Major

I am an English Major and so reading is all that I do. I know many out there who can’t say the same. Many who wish they could get, even just a little, reading done between classes, homework, and their social life. I have come up with a few titles that have short chapters, easy to read language, and an interesting but not complex plot. These books are easy to pick up, put down, forget about, dwell lightly on, and just nice to curl up in bed after a long day and read a few pages.

1. ‘The Bell Jar’ by Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath is my idol and so it is no surprise that I would add her memoir to the list. The Bell Jar takes place in the 1950’s told from the point of view of a 19-year-old named Ester, the character that Sylvia uses to display herself. This novel is dark and sad, pulling tears from my eyes every time I read it. Sylvia’s depression is openly displayed without sugar coating. Her poetic abilities also displayed, giving the novel a musical feel.

2. ‘The Alchemist’ by Pablo Coehlo

This book is written more at an early adolescent’s reading level but, with meaning that each reader can interpret differently. I have read though this book three times, each time finding it connecting to my life in a different way. It is filled with powerful lines and yes, there are pictures. It is an adventure story told from a young boy as he gives up being a Shepard to follow his ‘Personal Legend’ to go to the Egyptian Pyramids. After reading, you might find your Personal Legend.

3. Short Stories, as a general.

I find short stories to be a great way to relax before bed. You have only a few pages of reading and in the end, you get a full story. They are easy to pick up and if you get busy, you can put them back down and forget about them. When you find them again, you start an all new story. To start off, I read a lot of Raymond Carver but, you can find collections of short stories from many different authors in any book store.

4. ‘The Pearl’ by John Steinbeck

Some of you enjoy classics but find them difficult to set aside the time to get through them. The Pearl is a novella, only containing about 100 pages. It is a story about greediness and the curse of finding a valuable pearl. It has its dark twist but, that is to be expected with Steinbeck. This novella, I finished in one sitting but, it can be easily broken down into many sessions.

5. ‘Harry Potter’ by J.K. Rowling

It is okay, we can still read our childhood favorites. Harry Potter is not only an amazing adventure tale that reaches the hearts of all but, it is also an easy read for any college student. Reading through the entire series could be a goal for the semester or for the year. Let a little magic into your strict studying schedule.

6. ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ by Jenny Han

If you are looking to throw it back to high school and get wrapped up in a romance novel, pick up The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy. This series follows a girl, Belly, through her summer vacations to her mom’s best friend’s beach house with her brother and two other boys. There is love, heart break, plot twist, fights, family, humor, anything your rom-com heart desires.

If you don’t want to do any reading, you can always listen to a book on tape.

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