Not an ethusiastic reader? These books are for you

By Zoey McGee | Manor Ink

In the past couple of years, reading has become a continual source of joy for me. I truly believe, after experiencing it myself, that even the most passionate book haters just haven’t found a book that interests them yet. So, for anyone stuck in an awful reading slump, this list is for you. Most of the recommendations on my list will remain in the Young Adult category, as they are easier reads for newcomers, but most of these books are ones that adults or more experienced readers could enjoy as well.

My all-time favorite

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
I will recommend this series to everyone and anyone, ages 12 to 99. The series is truly fantastic and somewhat overrated – but in a good way. It isn’t overly commercialized like many popular series. The story follows the 16-year-old protagonist Katniss in a dystopian world called Panem, where human “tributes” are sent to fight to the death in a sensationalized television event, which the series is named for. That is all I am going to say, because I am not exaggerating when I say I talked my mom’s ear off for three entire hours about this series.

Memoirs and nonfiction

Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam, Jr.
One of my favorite memoirs. It is a bit of a long read, but it is entertaining in many ways, so I even enjoyed it when I was 14. It follows author Homer Hickam and his friends growing up in a small coal-mining town who, inspired by the launch of Sputnik, decide to build and launch a series of homemade rockets. This experience jump-starts the author’s interest in science and eventually leads to his career as a NASA engineer. Yes, this book can get a little nerdy with the rocket science, but it is so much more than that.

Historical fiction

The Brightwood Code by Monica Hesse
All of Monica Hesse’s books are great. I would also recommend They Went Left, The War Outside, and Girl in the Blue Coat. All of these other books are set during World War II, but The Brightwood Code differs because it is Hesse’s only World War I-era novel. It features the “Hello Girls,” female switchboard operators employed by the US Army. The book follows the main character, Edda, as she struggles with PTSD surrounding a mistake she made and the abuse she endured during her service. Overall, a surprisingly well-written book.

Young Adult novel

Looking for Alaska by John Green
I have to start by saying that this book is banned for the stupidest reason, and that should not deter readers at all. The plot follows Miles, who transfers to a boarding school and is inspired to “seek a Great Perhaps.” Like many coming-of-age novels, parts of the plot are admittedly a little cringe. However, toward the end, the narrator reflects on death and change in a way that felt deeply familiar and comforting to me. It gave me a new perspective, which is why I would still strongly recommend it.

Young Adult mystery

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series by Holly Jackson
Such an easy and entertaining read! It truly is a series that will surprise you with every single chapter. Like all good mystery books, the story revolves around a murder. An unrealistically determined high schooler, Pippa, gets permission to investigate the cold case for a school project, but much to the enjoyment of readers, she quickly oversteps her boundaries.