If you’re anything like me, reading is one of your favorite past times. It’s a wonderful hobby that lets us escape reality and dive into a fantasy world filled with stories of various genres. Reading, whether it is non-fiction or fiction, can increase one’s intelligence level and create a rich imagination. Whether it’s the classic novels that interest you or the New York Time’s Best Sellers, here are 10 books that will inspire you to read more and make it a permanent hobby.
1. "My Sister’s Keeper"
Possibly one of the saddest novels you will read. The story of a sister dedicating her life to donating her body to her sister who has had cancer her whole life. After years of donating blood, bone marrow, etc. the healthy sister, Anna, decides to sue her parents for the rights to her own body. Now a family is torn between continuing to save a daughter who is sick, and freeing a daughter who has dedicated her life to saving her sister.2. "Wild"
In an attempt to get her life back together, Cheryl Strayed is dealing with the loss of her mother, the struggle with drug addiction, a failed marriage, and hooking up with any male in her sight. In order to start over and get her sanity back, Cheryl has decided to hike the Pacific Coast Trail with no experience and a beginner’s guide to hiking.3. "Looking for Alaska"
Alaska Young is the biggest free spirit at Culver Creek Boarding School. Miles Halter is a shy, innocent boy who has barely kissed a girl and spends his free time memorizing famous people’s last words. In order to search for his “Great Perhaps,” Alaska teaches Miles how to really live life and make the most of what he has.4. "The Great Gatsby"
In 1922, New York City is the new home to Nick Carraway, neighbor to Jay Gatsby, a multi-millionaire, and settling across the lake from his cousin Daisy Buchanan. As a striving writer, Nick is thrown into this world of wealth and witnesses, love, drama, betrayal and temptation all around him.5. "The Kite Runner"
Taking place in Afghanistan and California, Amir and Hassan grow up together as nonbiological brothers. Coming from different social classes, Amir makes a decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life. Later in life, when Amir has moved to America, he hears news that the Taliban has murdered Hassan and his wife. Now he must redeem himself and make up for the terrible mistakes he once made.6. "Me Before You"
When Louisa Clark struggles between jobs to help her family make ends meet, she comes upon being a caretaker for a young, handsome, wealthy Will Traynor. The problem is that he’s a paraplegic who is uncooperative and doesn’t want Louisa’s help. Louisa’s spunky attitude helps Will see a different outlook on life and perhaps give both of them a change of heart.7. "Night"
Written 15 years after the end of World War II, Elie Wiesel wrote about his experience of being a Holocaust survivor. His experience in the camp is explained in every little detail explaining the food he was given, the words that were screamed at him, and the loss of his father.8. "The Fault in Our Stars"
Hazel Grace Lancaster has struggled with cancer her whole life. Augustus Waters has struggled with cancer all his life. When the two meet at a cancer support group, they become friends instantly. Augustus teaches Hazel how to live life with the weight of the world on her shoulders, and then decides to go after the one thing she’s passionate about in life: Her favorite novel.9. "I am Malala"
Malala Yousafzai is the youngest individual to win the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2013 she survived a gunshot to the head because she protested her rights as a woman and wanting an education. In her autobiography, she explains her entire experience of survival and is one of the main faces of the feminist movement.10. "The Last Lecture"
Professor Randy Pausch who teaches computer science at Carnegie Mellon has lived an average life. He comes from a typical all-American family, successfully working as a professor, and married with three children. When the doctors tell him he has cancer and a life sentence of 6 months left to live, Randy Pausch decides to give one last lecture for his family and loved ones.The selection of 10 books above is just a centimeters worth of the novels out there for all to enjoy. Starting with these books will inspire anyone to read more about a variety of stories that are factual and fiction.
