Like most readers, I read to find solace in the struggles and story lines of characters that have something in common with my own. I read to figure out how to deal with heartbreak or death or finding happiness, and I read to feel that I am not alone. If so many characters have been created that know exactly what to say, this means that their authors or creators have gone through the same thing and survived long enough to write about it. While I'm getting more accustomed to reading books that explore struggles I may never have to face, in high school, I focused on coming-of-age novels that made me feel like I wasn't the only crazy teenager to ever feel this way. These are five of my favorites:
1. Eleanor & Park- by Rainbow Rowell
Eleanor & Park is a sweet first-love story, but with characters who break the mold of the classics. Eleanor comes from a broken home and is the new girl at school, where she meets Park and embarks on a new journey. Eleanor & Park was written as if to say that even though you won't be with a person forever, that does not mean it wasn't worth it and that they have not changed your life.
2. I'll Give You the Sun- by Jandy Nelson
I'll Give You the Sun is a tale of twins Jude and Noah. It's a story of family tragedy, coming together, and first loves, and handles a young, gay relationship in the most flawless way possible. This novel stresses the importance of family and keeping each other close while intertwining mythological metaphor and picturesque scenes of Jude and Noah's lives.
3. Where Things Come Back- by John Corey Whaley
Whaley takes the tale of a seemingly boring and bland small town and unveils a story of growing up, dealing with loss, and finding the meaning of life. This novel intertwines the story of the main character's teenage brother who goes missing and a young missionary whose attempts to discover the meaning of life leads him down an interesting path.
4. Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You- by Peter Cameron
Often called the modern-day Catcher in the Rye, this novel encapsulates the "no one understands" emotions of the teenage universe. We hear the main character's life story through narrations of his own therapy sessions the year before he is set to go off to college. A great lesson in learning to accept pain and saving it for life lessons down the road is what comes out of it.
