Most college students I know loath the thought of reading a book that isn't required for class, but this mindset is harmful to those who want a well-rounded education. We go to college to challenge ourselves and to open our minds to new ideas and possibilities, and the key to this is reading books.
These books are must-reads for every college student looking to widen their world view before they enter the "real world."
1. Night by Elie Wiesel
Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Holocaust survivor, recalls his time spent in Nazi concentration camps with his father and how he struggles to understand how God could let such a thing happen.
2. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Though it's a classic you may have read in high school, "Hamlet" deserves to be read again and again, as it is one of Shakespeare's greatest works.
3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Sure you may have seen the Leonardo DiCaprio movie, but nothing compares to the real thing. The Roaring '20s, a green light and the mysterious Gatsby have kept this book at the top of reading lists since it was published.
4. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling's wit and humor are fresh, and her concerns are true for every young woman.
5. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
After being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, Professor Randy Pausch gave his "last lecture," titled "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," at Carnegie Mellon University in 2007.
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
This cult coming-of-age novel has sparked debate and has even been banned from schools over its contents.
7. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
A riveting novel about coming to terms with the unspeakable horrors that occurred during the Holocaust and how the post-war generations approached the people that took part in such atrocities.
8. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Even if you saw the movie, I highly encourage you to read the book. Think about how to stand up against injustice and give the voiceless a chance to share their stories.
9. Lucky by Alice Sebold
A memoir by the author of "The Lovely Bones," about how she fought to put the man who raped her behind bars. Both disturbing and inspiring, Sebold reminds us that, "You save yourself or you remain unsaved."
10. In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan
Pollan points out that our obsession with what we are eating has created the American Paradox: The more we worry about nutrition, the less healthy we become. He gives advice on how to be thoughtful of what we eat and to make choices that will better ourselves.
11. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Who didn't want to run away and join the circus at some point as a child? Run away with Jacob and experience a world full of fantastic beasts and magical shows, as well as the seedy underbelly of the circus world.
12. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
One of the 20th century's enduring works, see the rise and fall of the town of Macondo, and in it, see the history of the human race.
13. Adulting: How to Become a Grown-Up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown
A necessity for the college grad who still feels like a 5-year-old.
14. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
Mandela's epic story is the epitome of an autobiography.
15. Beowulf
A story so old that the author is still unknown and is an epic masterpiece. You'll begin to think about what kind of legacy you will leave behind and how you would like to be remembered.
16. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Do I even need to tell you why you should read this book? Because of Atticus Finch, that's why.
17. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Just because you are going to be joining the "real world" soon doesn't mean you should stop being a kid. Read or reread these books and feel like that little kid you once were who believed in magic. "All these people saying they never got their Hogwarts letter: you got the letter. You went to Hogwarts. We were all there together. Of course it happened inside your head, but why on earth should that mean it wasn't real?" says J.K. Rowling.
18. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Ellison's novel addresses the social issues that African-Americans faced in the early 20th century and discusses the dilemma of finding one's individual identity while a part of a group.
19. The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama
Perfect for college students struggling to fulfill their lives and attain happiness.
