One of the most difficult parts of life is finding a good book. While we are still adulting, we want to be engaged in something young and intriguing, yet slow and subtle. Well if you’re looking for some good reads, this is the list for you! Here are some of the best books to read while you’re still adulting.
1. Music For Torching:
Music For Torching, written by A.M. Homes is a mix between a young adult dramady and eroticism. Music For Torching delves into the lives of a perfect suburban family and shows the reader what may really be going on behind the curtain. This novel is perfect for you if you like shocking and almost over-the-top storylines.
2. Last Exit to Brooklyn:
This novel written by Hubert Shelby Jr. depicts Brooklyn in the 1950s and has a writing style inspired by Bebop Jazz music that was popular at the time. The book follows women, men and the trans community throughout Brooklyn as they face gruesome violence and all kinds of harassment. Just a warning before you decide to pick this book up, some of the scenes depicted are extremely unsettling and graphic. Have fun!
3. Revolutionary Road:
I think my A.P. Lit teacher had a knack for picking out great books, because this is yet another book I picked up from that class. Revolutionary Road, written by Richard Yates, follows a typical suburban family in the 1950s and depicts the treatment and harsh conditions of women at the time. This book is heartbreaking and beautifully written. I definitely recommend this book to anyone that has an appreciation of great writing.
4. This is How You Lose Her:
This is How You Lose Her, written by Junot Díaz, is a collection of fictional stories that revolve around the common theme of love and heartbreak. The novel is written in a way that you feel as if you are experiencing love and heartbreak all at once, and it is a beautiful experience. Be sure to get a pen ready before you start this because, if you are anything like me, you will be underlining almost every line that stuck with you in this book.
5. Tampa:
This next novel is so good, I featured it on one of my already written articles. Tampa, written by Alissa Nutting, is so shocking, you will never forget this read. Following a common theme of “Lolita”, it is graphic and so horrific, but yet you won’t want to put it down. Definitely worth a read.
6. The Bell Jar:
I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve read this book, but I can tell you this first time I started it I was on the train and cried my eyes out. The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath, follows Esther Greenwood, who is basically described as Plath herself. Esther is depressed and is constantly dreading every social interaction she encounters. If you want something that will force you to cry your eyes out, this is the book for you.
7. Pride & Prejudice:
Pride & Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, is probably a novel you’ve heard about since middle school. Not only is this a great book to read because you’ll finally understand what all your literature professors are referring to, but just because it’s a freaking amazing book. The novel is romantic and hilarious all at the same time.
8. Grapes of Wrath:
Yet another book we were forced to read in A.P. Lit, The Grapes of Wrath revolves around a family struggling to find field work during the great depression. Sounds like a big load of boring right? Wrong. Not only is John Steinbeck one of the best American authors in history, The Grapes of Wrath in particular will really be a novel that sticks with you throughout your life. The book is heartbreaking and will really have you questioning American Society.
9. Citizen:
Citizen, written by Claudia Rankine, will have you, again, questioning American society and with your mouth dropped wide open throughout the entirety of the book. Citizen contains short segments of writing which describes what it is like being an African American in society. Whether you are interested in race studies or not, Citizen will allow you to see what it is like from the African American perspective in America.
10. SeinLanguage:
And last, but definitely not least, is Jerry Seinfeld’s book, SeinLanguage. This book is great for commuting to work and school and is perfect if you’re looking for something small and super funny. The book is filled with short paragraphs with hilarious observations and stories all written under the great comedian himself, Jerry Seinfeld.