“It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them.” – Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Prince.
Books are a magical portal to an entirely different universe. One where everything is possible; one where you can be whoever you want to be, do whatever you wish you were capable of doing and live the life/lives you’ve always wanted to live.
Here’s a list of 10 books that will open you up to the passion of reading, and you’ll be forever walking with a book in your hand afterwards.
- Introduction to How to Experience a Book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
A historical fiction set in the World War II period, it tells the story of small girl with a passion for words and books during a time where books were illegalized and burned in bonfires, an accordionist, Germans and a Jewish man fighting to survive the reign of Hitler. Once you relate to the story, you’ll understand the true passion for reading, and how a book can alter your reality.
- Learning to get attached to a Fictional Character: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
This is the story of a fan-girl, Cath, a girl who’s been passionately reading and writing about her favorite book series for a while. Being a Simon Snow fan is her life; it’s everything she knows, which is not the case for her twin sister, Wren, who has grown out of the fandom. This book will help you understand what goes on in the minds of your friends who belong to certain fandoms, and might ignite a passion for reading inside you!
- For Passionate People who get Easily Bored: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
A fast paced story about falling in love, destiny, strength and music; one that will most definitely make you feel what it means to fall in love with music. The story of Ridge and Sydney is one about passion, friendship and truly seeing the other person’s soul. It’s about fighting to spend your life doing the thing you love most with the one person you know will always be on your side. The book is a true page turner that will capture, and keep, your attention, even if you aren’t a big fan of books.
- For Psychology Buffs: Everyday by David Levithan
How would you feel if every day you woke up in a different body, a different life but you always end up falling in love with the same girl? David Levithan managed to capture a whole lot of different types of characters and lives. The main character’s changes are definitely a worthwhile experience, and will get anyone hooked, especially those interested in psychology.
- For those who want to Re-ignite their Imagination: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cinder is the first book in The Lunar Chronicles series. Each book in this series is a fairy-tale retelling; Cinder is Cinderella retold in an entirely different, high-tech and corrupted world. A world where cyborgs live among humans and there’s an entire population who lives on the moon. It’s a story about a life that’s been lost for 8 years and a prince who becomes a king with back bending responsibilities. Cinder is a way to live through the fairytales, sparking the kind of imagination they had as children.
- For the Revolutionaries: The Hunger Games by Susan Collins
By now I think it’s safe to say that you most definitely heard of the Hunger Games. However, the books are an entirely different experience from the films. It’s an eye-opening story about family, loyalty and strength. It’s about fighting for your rights and believing in whatever you do. The story of Katniss Everdeen is an inspirational one that will touch the heart of all revolutionaries.
- For those Looking for Butterflies in their Stomach: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Who doesn’t dream about falling in love in Paris? Especially when it’s with a half French, half American boy with a British accent? Stephanie Perkins summed up all the feelings, confusion, heart-skipping-beats, butterflies, and goofy-smiles that hit when falling in love in 300+ pages. If you want a book that will stir the same emotions your crush would, this book is the one for you!
- For the Hopeless Romantic: A I’ll give you the Sun by Jandy Nelson
“Meeting your soul mate is like walking into a house you’ve been in before – you will recognize the furniture, the pictures on the wall, the books on the shelves, the contents of drawers: You could find your way around in the dark if you had to.”
This is exactly how you’ll feel after reading this book; it’ll be like meeting your perfect soul mate. If you’re a hopeless romantic, you’ll fall in love with this book.
- For the Politically Aware: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Tahereh Mafi wrote a story about superpowers, dictators and injustice. It’s story about a girl who hasn’t been able to touch anyone without hurting them for as long as she can remember and a boy who had to grow up really fast to take care of his baby brother, and a man who was forced to become a feared military man. If you are into politics, this extremely poetic book will give you your political fix, while providing a beautiful story all at once.
- For your Inner Child: Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Well, we all started somewhere. If you’re a 90’s kid then you were probably a Potterhead, just like me. If that were the case, you’ll love re-reading it as an adult, and if you’ve never read it, this is the perfect place to start.
Harry Potter is what showed me what it means to fall in love with a book. It’s a not a story just for children; it got me through my childhood, my teenage years and currently my adult life. Start with the story of The Boy who lived and believe me, you’ll never stop reading. Ever! Reading Harry Potter will be like you’ve finally gone home, and from this point forward I promise you books will be your home and shelter.
Noha Badawi, a mad bibliophile; a fan-girl you might say. One who was born with a book in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. Follow her on Instagram @thebookishword. And on Goodreads on nohabadawi
