I became a self-proclaimed bookworm at around age 8, but it was often difficult to find characters that I felt really connected with. A shy kid who consistently ate their lunch in the library wasn’t the typical protagonist of most books I read. So, here’s a list of books for bookworms. Whether you’re searching for new titles to dive into, trying to avoid homework by still doing something “educational,” or simply lost while starting on gift buying for your bookish loved one — hopefully, this list can help you out.
1. At least one book by Stephen King
One of the most prolific writers of our time, Stephen King has penned a number of classics. Every book lover should do themselves a favor and read at least one of his works — if you like his style, you have a wealth of material to dive into. Even if you’re not into horror, King has something for everyone: he wrote the Dark Tower series, 8 books of dark fantasy/science fiction goodness.
2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
This story follows Cath, a socially anxious bookworm, through her tumultuous first year of college. For anyone who grew up reading a series as it was coming out (i.e. Harry Potter) or who engaged in online forums and fanfiction sites about those books, this story will resonate strongly. It’s a fairly quick read with some very lovable characters.
3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
An older read on the list, but one of my personal favorites. The 1943 novel follows the life of Francie Nolan, a girl growing up in poverty in the early 20th century. The book explores the themes of sentimentality vs. pragmatism, money vs. happiness, alcoholism, and coming of age. Though it’s a long read for some, it’s well worth it.
4. The New Testament (and ideally the old testament, too)
The reason for this recommendation isn’t religious; it’s contextual. If you love reading, and especially if you love reading classic literature, having read even one of the gospels in the new testament will give you knowledge that the writer would have assumed their audience had at the time. Most European and American literature makes biblical allusions that will fly over your head if you’re not at least loosely familiar with this material.
5. The Bookshop Book by Jennifer Campbell
Described as “ a love letter to bookshops all around the world,” this book is almost pornographic for those who spent more time in Barnes and Noble than Hot Topic as a teenager. The author explores bookshops around the world and discusses what makes the perfect bookshop with authors, among other things. Even for strictly-fiction readers, this book offers such wonders that you won’t want to put it down.
