“Everyone is a reader, some people just haven’t found their book yet.” I don’t know who said that, but I definitely believe it is true. I have always been a very avid reader. Since I started reading, my parents have been joking that I run into walls because I won’t put a book down. I think the one book that really, truly influenced me was a biography of Clara Barton for kids. Since then, I have always been interested in historical books.
What I have found in talking to my friends is that not everyone has found the right book, or at least struggles to find a good book to read. So, based on personality and book preference, I have made some recommendations.
1. For the one who loves ~tea~
This friend loves drama but only when it's listening to someone else’s. A psychological thriller is great for them, because it just creepy enough to be realistic but thank god it's not in your real life. For this person, I recommend Rebecca. This classic follows the anonymous young woman in her new marriage to a very wealthy widower. She soon starts to learn about the woman she is replacing--and it's not looking too good for her husband.
Next, I recommend The Family Next Door. Essie's life looks perfect, with the husband, house, now a kid. But in a panicked moment, Essie leaves her child at the park--on purpose. Now she's recovered, but her second child is on the way. Suddenly a woman Isabelle moves next door, and the two women become friends, despite Essie's friends' disapproval.
2. For the one who will be a CEO
This friend always has it all together. If you’re confused about an issue, you know she can explain it well. For this friend, I recommend two political-historical dramas. The first is We Were the Lucky Ones, a new novel telling the story of a family trying to survive the Holocaust. It starts in the spring of 1939, and tell the true story of three generations of the Kurc family living in Poland.
Second, I recommend A Thousand Splendid Suns, written by Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner. This book is also set in Afghanistan but follows a mother-daughter plot. It is shocking throughout, and one of the most influential books I have read.
3. For the one who is too busy to read
This friend is B-U-S-Y and that means it's hard to pick up a book, we understand! But there are some great books that are easy to pick up and put down. For this friend, I recommend Sweetbitter, a novel about 22-year-old Tess who moves to New York and is immediately put on a learning curve. The whole book is adrenaline based, but as it follows her first year, it is easy to pick up after a break.
The second recommendation is more about psychology. Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior, is a witty and educational book about your subconscious. The topic is very interesting, but again, easy to pick up after a break, making it great for someone who is busy.
4. For the one who is an old soul
Who doesn’t love the classic with a good romance plot? A timeless book is a great recommendation for your friend who loves a good old-fashioned romance plot. Pride and Prejudice may be a cliche recommendation, but there is a reason cliches are cliche.
This book, telling the story of the Bennet family as the five daughters attempt to find husbands before their estate goes to their distant cousin and father’s heir, is a favorite for many. The story of Lizzy Bennet and Mr. Darcy is irresistible and a must-read for everyone.
The second recommendation, Little Women, follows a similar family of daughters, the Marches, as they live in Massachusetts during the Civil War. They grow up in this novel, making friends and discovering themselves, making it a timeless classic.
5. For the mom friend
When I was going on a service trip to Appalachia, my mom told me to read The Glass Castle. It is about an impoverished and at times nomadic, family. It’s a true story, told by the second-oldest daughter who now lives in New York. She struggles with her past and relationships with her family and uncovers what many cannot understand.
The second recommendation is Crazy Rich Asians. This novel was not at all what I expected, as many cannot even comprehend how much money these families hold. The first installation in the series tells the story of an upcoming wedding of the year, that Rachel, a second-generation Chinese-American, will be attending with her new boyfriend. But she doesn’t know he is the heir to one of the largest fortunes in Asia.
6. For your best friend
For the girl who is always there with you, you have to give her a good book to read. I chose some great novels about friendship: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Firefly Lane. Many read Sisterhood when younger, but I will always argue that it is a book you can always return to. Issues that our favorite friend deals with continue to be important. The last installation of the series is particularly beautiful if you have stuck with Carmen, Bridget, Lena, Tibby, and the pants.
Last, I recommend one of my favorite books ever, Firefly Lane. This novel tells the story of Tully, the most popular girl in school who has been abandoned by her mother, and Kate, who is too lame and whose family loves her too much, as they journey to be “TullyandKate.” This goes through a decade of friendships, and you watch them grow as the world around them changes.
